Winter is almost here, and now
that my toddler is on the move she is going to want to play outside. Extreme
cold can be daunting, so it's important that you suit your little ones up
properly and know how to spot danger signs. Here are some helpful tips I found
that eased my mind about how to keep kids at any age safe and warm.
Layer in
threes. Ever wonder how your winter
parka is light yet keeps you so toasty? The empty spaces between the feathers
trap heat from your body, nestling pockets of warm air between you and the
frigid outdoors. That’s also why layers work in your favor — so snuggle your
kids in three:
A
one-piece sleeper outfit: The
layer closest to your child’s skin should be soft, thin, and, for older kids,
absorb sweat if they’re playing outside.
A
long-sleeved shirt and pants: Opt
for thinner cotton layers over, say, a bulky sweater so your little one stays
cozy but can still move comfortably.
A snow
suit or bunting: The final layer should be tightly woven and water repellent to bulk up the insulation factor and seal out cold. Watch out for
oversize hoods, which can block peripheral vision, and stay away from
drawstrings if your child is younger than 12 as they pose a choking hazard (opt
for elastic or buttons at the neckline instead).
Plus, if you’re traveling with a
baby in a stroller, top her off with a blanket for an extra layer of warmth.
Be
cautious of car seats. Never buckle your little one into her car seat in her
snowsuit: It can compress in a crash, making the straps too loose and her belt
less effective. The AAP suggests one way to safely get your child out of your
home is to place her into her car seat in her coat with a blanket on top while
your car is warming up. Then take her outside with you to the car and position
her in the rear seat, close the door, and enter from the other side. Remove her
coat, strap her in, and lay the coat and blanket on top. If you’re going on a
long trip she can
overheat, so check every 10 or 15 minutes if she looks sweaty — and
if she does, remove a layer right away.
Keep dry. Water
evaporates in even the coldest temperatures, wicking away precious heat even
faster, while soppy clothing loses its effectiveness at insulating. So make
sure to check your baby’s diaper frequently if you’re outside for a half hour
or more; if your young child has been outside dodging snowballs, change her out
of any clothing that’s wet during those frequent 20-minute breaks.
Wrap it
up. Breathing in chilly air is hard on little lungs — but
avoid long scarves, which can be a choking hazard. Instead, shield babies from
the wind with your stroller or car seat’s canopy or sun shield (and don’t cover
her face, especially if she’s less than a year old, as it can restrict her
breathing). For an older child, pull a neck warmer over the bottom of her mouth
or cover her with a winter mask to warm the air before it hits her lungs.
Top off
head-to-toe. Your munchkin’s ears, nose, and toes are the farthest
away from her heart which means her body
has to work extra hard to keep them heated. This is especially true for babies,
whose heads are such a big portion of their bodies. A cozy hat and baby booties
or the right size snow boots
for toddlers will keep those tiny appendages toasty.
Opt for mittens, not gloves. Itty-bitty
fingers are also super-susceptible when the temperature drops, so always make
sure your baby or young child’s are covered — preferably with mittens, which
keep those dainty digits in close company so they can work together to stay
warmer.
Shield
skin from the sun. The sun is extra-bright when it reflects off snow and ice —
so your child is still at risk of sunburn even in the midst of the deepest
freeze. If you’re out for a brisk walk with your baby, her stroller canopy
should do the trick, but you can also smooth on a layer of baby-safe sunscreen
to be extra-safe. For older kids who are out playing for more than a quarter of
an hour, cover any exposed areas 15 to 30 minutes before going out with
sunscreen of at least SPF 15.
Keep
sipping. Busy little bodies already need lots of energy — and all the
more to keep warm when it’s cold, which means even more liquids are in order.
If you notice your baby is wetting her diaper less than usual, she might be
getting a bit dehydrated — so nurse her more frequently. And keep the fluids
freely flowing for toddlers and kids as well (the AAP recommends 100-percent
fruit juice or milk).
Do a skin
check. If your little one’s skin appears extra red, she seems
lethargic or clumsy, or she’s shivering, she may have hypothermia. If you
notice any of these first signs, get back inside ASAP and call the doctor. Also
keep an eye out for white or yellowish skin on her fingers, toes, and nose as
this is the first sign of frostbite.
source: http://www.aap.org
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