There’s nothing toddlers love more than playing in the first snow. Even as your driveway turns into a beautiful white sheet and you’re unable to walk, your little ones will want to run around throwing snowballs at each other. 

While that’s great for nap time, it also means you need to wrap your child into thick winter clothes to ensure extra warmth. Here’s a complete guide on how to combat the wind chill by dressing your child in appropriate clothing:

 
Quick Tips to Keep in Mind for Cold Temperature
• Dress your child in multiple layers to trap body heat when going outside. Start with an inner layer, a mid-layer, and outerwear.
• Don’t forget thick, fleece, or merino wool socks under boots.
• When traveling, make sure you allow your car to warm up before leaving.
• Never put your baby in a car seat with a bulky winter coat or snowsuit. Instead, place a blanket over the buckles and straps.
• We lose most of our body heat through our heads, so make sure to use a warm hat.
• Don’t wrap your child in multiple blankets; instead, choose a comfy sleep slack.
• Look for frostbite, which starts as pale skin, cold hands, and lethargy.

Combat Freezing Temperatures by Dressing Your Child the Right Way

Get prepared to make fun outdoor memories with your little ones by ensuring you dress them for the winter:

Select Light and Warm Clothes 

Winter clothing is all about adding warm layers to trap in warmth. Opt for a light and cozy cotton, polypropylene, or merino wool top that won’t irritate your child’s sensitive skin. 

Steer clear off bulky sweaters and jackets that will make them too hot and prevent them from moving around. Also, ensure you don’t choose thick socks that make it difficult for snow boots to fit comfortably.

Learn Layering to Ensure Warmth 
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you swear by their rule of thumb for winter dressing: put your little one in one extra layer than an adult. It is because pockets of air between layers help trap heat.
Walk the thin line between extra layering and no other inners by learning the art of layering: 

Base Layer
The base layer is next to your child’s skin and is responsible for wicking sweat and keeping them warm. Look for Merino wool, polyester, or nylon and snug base layer clothes. 
In addition, make sure your little one wears a high-quality vest and long underwear.
Middle Layer
The middle layer comes right over the base layer and insulates your child. The mid-layer effectively traps heat to ensure your little one feels happy and warm throughout the day. 
Buy wool, down, or fleece pants and long-sleeved shirts. Make sure you find the ideal fit that’s close to your child’s body without restraining movement.
Outer Layer
The shell layer is the last and helps shield your little one from natural elements like rain, snow, and wind. For this layer, you should choose waterproof jackets or water-resistant, breathable shells.

Find a Snowsuit and Snow Boots that Fits 
Fight the elements like snow and chilly breezes by purchasing wind and winter-resistant snowsuits. Look for nylon, down, or Polartec to ensure your little one stays warm while looking stylish. 
Ensure comfort by buying a snowsuit whose zipper runs down to their ankles or knees. In this way, you can easily take the snowsuit off, especially if you need to change your baby’s diaper. 
In addition, make sure the cuffs fit tightly around their wrists and ankles to prevent the cold from entering inside. You may look for elastic or Velcro tabs.
Lastly, choose warm boots over woolen or fleece socks to keep your toddler’s feet warm while they run in the snow.

Tips and Tricks to Remember when Dressing your Child for the Winter Weather
Keep your toddler comfortable in freezing temperature by keeping the following bonus points in your mind: 

Go for Fleece, Wool, or 3-in-1 Winter Jackets
Naturally derived and synthetic insulated jackets offer excellent warmth and are also lightweight. Plus, these jackets ensure your little one will stay warm and cozy even if they get wet. 
In addition, affordable yet luxe fleece jackets offer a moderate amount of warmth. These won’t protect your child from rain and chilly winds, but they work as the perfect middle layer.
Or you can throw away your fleece and wool jackets and instead purchase a 3-in-1 winter jacket. These jackets combine a rainproof outer shell with an insulated liner to ensure your child doesn’t feel chilly. 
Remember that liner jackets are available in synthetic fills, insulating down, or fleece, so you can purchase the material that best matches your state’s temperature.

Pack a Dry Bag with Winter Clothing 
Parents are always one jubilant splash in a puddle away from sending their kids back inside. Thus, it’s always a wise decision to keep extra clothing on your hands for your little ones. 
Pack a proper cold-clothes emergency kit with wool socks, comfy pants, long-sleeve shirts, and extra gloves.

Select Snow Pants or Fleece Pants
Keep your little one safe and warm by choosing either a pair of snow pants or fleece pants. Snow pants feature a wind- and water-resistant shell with a synthetic or down fill. 
On the other hand, fleece pants offer moderate warmth for cool days. 

The Bottom Line
While toddlers can spend hours perfecting their snowman’s look, they cannot regulate their body temperature like adults. Thus, parents need to take extra care to protect their little ones during cold days. 
Make sure your toddler is dressed up in the ideal winter gear by following the tips mentioned above.