How to Dress Your Baby for Winter

A baby's first winters are exciting times filled with discovery and fun. Since babies and young children can't make decisions about what to wear outside in the snow, it's up to Mom and Dad to dress them appropriately for winter. To keep your baby from getting too hot or too cold outdoors and indoors, follow these steps for dressing your young child or baby for cold weather.

Dress the upper half of your baby in layers that are easy to take on and off. Start with a cotton undershirt, then a long sleeve shirt, and finally a sweater or sweatshirt. Dress your baby in winter clothes and under clothes that are loose enough to allow free movement, but not too thin.

Dress the lower half of your baby in warm sweat pants and warm socks or booties. Avoid using snug long-johns or tall knee socks indoors, as this can cause overheating and chafe the delicate skin.

Outdoors, make sure your baby has a waterproof coat with a hood that can be tied snugly, and a ski hat underneath the hood. Much of the body's heat is lost through the head, so keeping a baby's head warm during the winter is important.

Dress your baby or toddler in waterproof boots that reach mid-calf, and place mittens on their hands, rather than gloves. Mittens keep children's fingers warmer than gloves, which will help prevent frostbite.

A young child's delicate skin is vulnerable to chafing, chapping, and frostbite during the winter. To keep their skin healthy, use mild lotion and chapstick, and make sure they drink plenty of fluids before heading outdoors.

Always monitor your baby or young child for signs of discomfort. If your baby looks flushed and starts acting fussy, he may be too hot in his winter clothes, and you should take off a layer of his clothing. When a baby is too cold, he may act more sleepy and sluggish, or act fussy. A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby as you would dress in cold weather. If you feel too hot or too cold, your baby will feel the same way.

© Had2Know 2010