Winterproof Your Toddler: Tips for Dressing Your Toddler Comfortably This Winter

Winter is just around the corner. Keeping your older baby or toddler warm without overwhelming him with puffy coats or too many layers can be difficult. Before you rush out and buy a huge puffy coat or snow suit, read these tips on how to keep your kiddo safe and warm this winter.

For bedtime:

If you're like me, you always wonder if your kids are warm enough at night. Toddlers don't stay under blankets and that makes it hard to keep them warm. I used to co-sleep with my son, so I knew he was warm enough because he would stay snuggled up next to me. When we decided it was time for him to sleep on his own, he was just over a year old and his room was the coldest in the house. I knew that he would need layers of clothing to keep warm enough, so I started with a onesie, added a fitted cotton jammie, and finished with a fleece or cotton blanket sleeper. He slept through the night just fine, so I assume that he was warm enough. I did check on him a few times, though, by placing my fingers on the back of his neck, just below the collar of his jammies. It felt cool, but not cold which is just right. Many people become concerned because they check their child's hands and they feel freezing cold to the touch, but don't worry - this happens because your toddler's body draws blood away from his extremities to help keep his core warm. If your child's neck feels warm and clammy, she is probably too warm and you might want to try dressing her in one less layer.

If your child is too chilly when you check, add a hat, if she will keep it on. Running a humidifier in your child's room can also help your child's room seem slightly warmer. At the very least it will help your little one to be more comfortable since winter air is so dry anyway. If you're still not sure if your child is warm enough, sit in her room, dressed in the same number of layers as your little one and see if you get cold after several minutes. If you do, then perhaps you will need to set your thermostat a little bit higher. Even if you're tempted, don't put a blanket in your baby's crib until she is over a year old - it is a suffocation hazard and it will almost certainly be kicked off anyway. Instead, use flannel crib sheets, they are soft and comfy, and help provide insulation to keep your baby warm.

For trips that involve a car ride:

Most trips you take only involve a few minutes of being outside - you climb in the car and drive, then you climb out and go indoors again. Unless you are going to be outdoors for more than a few minutes, consider leaving your child's coat home. Instead, keep a nice fleece blanket in the car and tuck it around your toddler after he's strapped in. Warm your car up before you get in whenever you can so that the car is not too cold. If you feel that he needs a coat, strap him in without it, then put it on backwards over his arms, but not around his back. It can actually be deadly to have your child wear a coat or snowsuit in the car seat. You have to loosen the straps on your toddler's car seat in order to fit him in when he's wearing that puffy coat. Loosening them too much can cause your child to actually be able to be ejected from his car seat in an accident. To test if the straps are too loose, put your child in the car seat with his coat on, strap him in adjusting the straps to fit over the coat. Then, remove your child without adjusting the straps, take off the coat, place him in the seat again, and fasten the straps. If you can fit more than two fingers under the straps, they are too loose. Read this site for more information.

For playing in the snow:

If you will be heading outdoors for a long period of time, the most important item of clothing your little one will need is a hat. Most of your body heat leaves through your head, so a thick, warm hat that covers his ears is key in keeping your little one warm. If your baby is walking, a snow suit is appropriate for outdoor play because there won't be as many gaps for cold air to come through. Use layers underneath, starting with thermal underwear. Add flannel lined pants if they don't have a snow suit or if it is bitterly cold. Waterproof shoes can take the place of boots and are often more comfortable for little legs than boots that come up to their knees. Find mittens or gloves made with "Thinsulate" - they aren't as puffy as other mittens and will allow your child to actually play with the snow. Put mittens on before putting on your child's coat so that snow won't be able to sneak in through the gap between his gloves and coat sleeves. A scarf is a good idea if it is bitter cold out - you will want to cover as much exposed skin as possible. However, ditch the scarf if it's not too cold because it's just another way to limit your child's mobility and the idea is for your child to have fun - not to waddle around like a penguin when he's all bundled up.

It's important not to over-dress your toddler if he will be running around outside. He could get too warm and become sweaty in all those layers. Then, not only will he be uncomfortable because of his puffy clothes, but he will also be too hot. Again, a good rule of thumb is to dress your toddler in the same kind of clothes you would be comfortable in if you were planning to play outdoors. You can always easily add a coat if you think your child is getting cold, but it's much harder to drag them inside and undress them so you can remove a layer if they get too hot.

Dressing your child appropriately and for the conditions can help your child be safe and comfortable this winter. Think about what you and your child will be doing and where you'll be going before you dress him and you'll both be happier for it.