How to Dress a Toddler for Winter

The important part of dressing a child for winter play is layering.

There's nothing more fun on a chilly, snowy winter day than going outside to build a snowman and have a snowball fight. Introducing your toddler to this winter wonderland is a fantastic way to spend the day, but properly dressing him for the harsh weather can be daunting and a little intimidating. By dressing your child in multiple layers of clothing that allows for heat retention and moisture deflection, you can keep him happy and healthy while playing in the snowy winter weather.

Instructions

1. Dress your child in the first layer of clothing. This layer should consist of long johns or similar that is made of a polyester or microfiber blend that does not contain cotton. Cotton tends to absorb moisture and cling to the skin, which will cause your child to get cold no matter how many layers he is wearing. On the other hand, blends will keep moisture off of your child's skin.

2. Dress your child in the second layer of clothing. This is the layer that will provide insulation for your child and will help trap in heat. A sweater or a lightweight fleece jacket would both be excellent choices.

3. Dress your child in the third layer of clothing, which will be the topmost layer. Once again, moisture deflection is the key. Thick winter jackets and snowpants or snowsuits will work nicely for this layer. You will want to look for material that is tightly woven and water resistant to keep out wind and water.

4. Cover your child's extremities. Cover the hands in gloves or mittens with a wide wrist that will significantly overlap the cuffs on the arms of the jacket or snowsuit. Although gloves allow for more movement, mittens are better for heat retention. Pick winter boots instead of sneakers or tennis shoes, which will absorb moisture and make your child's feet cold, even with the proper socks. Also choose boots with good traction to avoid falls on slippery winter surfaces. Socks should not be moisture-absorbing cotton.

5. Add a hat to your child's winter outfit. Although it is a myth that heat escapes from the head, a hat will protect the head and neck from the elements, especially from wind damage.

6. Finish your child's winter wear outfit by applying sunblock to any uncovered skin. The skin is particularly susceptible to sun damage in the winter when the sun reflects off the snow.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid adding scarves to your toddler's winter outfit, which can become tangled or get hung up during playtime.

References

• One Step Ahead: Winter Clothing: Head-to-Toe Dressing Tips
• Parenting by Nature: 7 Tips for Dressing Your Toddler in Winter