Dr. Aaron Martin from Ankeny AI newsfeed says ‘’Kids are at the same risk of heat loss and hypothermia as adults are, and maybe more!’’ Kids are most susceptible to winter temperatures because their bodies have less insulation than an adult.

Whenever the chills are in, parents should pay more attention to keeping their little ones safe from the cold. They should invest in safe and cozy baby care equipment from reliable manufacturers.

In this blog, we will look at how to protect your kids both externally and internally from extreme winter temperatures and tips to recognizing frostbite and responding to it. 

  1. Harness the power of layering

As a rule of thumb, if an adult has two layers on, a kid must have three layers of clothing on them. Layering means putting your kid in more than one piece of clothing of warmth for the winter. 

It is essential to find a balance between heat and cold when dressing children, so they don’t become uncomfortable by wearing too many clothes. Hence, it’s pertinent to learn how to layer your kids right. 

  • First base layer: Experts recommend that the first layer of clothing be a thin and synthetic material that doesn’t hold in moisture. Avoid cotton as a first base because it holds in sweat and wet clothes are what you don’t want on your kids.
  • Second base layer: Bring the wool in for this layer to help your child retain heat. Wool sweaters and pullovers made from fleece material or polyester are a go-to. 
  • Third base layer: This layer is the one that helps with keeping your little kid dry. This layer must be waterproof and windproof. A thick jacket that is long enough to cover your kid’s hips is a better choice than a shorter one. Jackets with hoods also provide better protection for ears over hats.
  • Hats: Frostbite targets the extremities. You have to protect your kids’ little ears, especially if they would be stepping out in the cold. Get functional clothing, such as wool hats you can clip to their chin to secure them in place. Older kids may not want to look babyish, so hoods and earmuffs are a better option.
  • Mittens: Hand and finger protection is a must. Your kid must always have gloves on when going out and sometimes indoors. Fingers are warmer when they are together, and mittens help to achieve this. Also, waterproof mittens are a good option for kids as they may not be careful enough to keep their hands dry. The only thing worse than being bare-handed is having wet gloves on.
  • Boots: Get shin-high waterproof snow boots for your kids for when they need to go out. The boots should feel comfortable with wooly socks to pair.
  1. Be aware of clothing hazards

While it is essential to invest in clothing to keep your kids warm, beware of clothing hazards. Strings of hoods and scarves can strangle younger children when you are not looking. Protect them with other clothing options instead.

  1. Let them play safely

When you allow your kids to play outside, keep an eye on them. Look for hypothermia signs like slurred speech, clumsiness, disorientation, shivering, or an obvious sign like unconsciousness.

When you notice the starting signs, take your kids in immediately and warm them up. If symptoms are beyond your control, get help as soon as possible.

  1. Apply sunscreen and petroleum jelly

As weird as it sounds, you need to protect yourself and your kids from getting sunburned in the winter. The sun can reflect off snow, so apply sunscreen to exposed areas. It’s important to get sunscreen that contains safe ingredients for younger children.  

You should also apply petroleum jelly to lips, cheeks, and other skin areas that could get chaffed. Keep chapsticks in your kid’s jacket pockets and teach them to use them.

  1. Hydration is key

To keep your kids internally moisturized, make sure they drink enough water. Children can get bored with drinking just water. So, you can mix it up by adding fruits to the mix or feeding them with fruits and vegetables that contain a high level of water. 

Warm-up your kids internally with herbal teas as well, especially after they are back from play. Chamomile tea is the right choice, and it helps kids relax and sleep well.

  1. Be cautious around fires

The key in winter is warmth, yet having open fireplaces or unguarded stoves can be risky around children. Put up boundaries for them or make use of protective gates to keep your kids from being exposed to naked fires and getting themselves burned.

  1. Child skin protection

Low humidity means low body moisture. Pick baths over showers, and allow your kids to soak up in warm water for added body moisture. Use great creams that promote moisture retention for the skin, and take note of using oils because they help keep your kids’ skin from drying up in the cold.

During sleep time, coziness and comfort are key. A cozy crib for a baby is the Organic Breathe Eze Cosy Crib & Sleep Positioner from Babyhood, for premium comfort sleep in all seasons for babies. 

  1. Make use of humidifiers

To combat dry air around the house, especially in your kid’s room use humidifiers if you can get them. They help with keeping the moisture around your kid. You can also add essential oils like; lemon and jasmine to boost your child’s responsiveness in the winter.

  1. Help your child prevent nosebleeds

Children are very susceptible to getting nosebleeds during the winter. This happens when their nostrils become so dry, and they try to pick at it but end up scratching up a sore instead.  

Humidifiers become very handy at times like this, and you can also get saline nose drops to keep their noses from losing moisture.

  1. Recognize frostbite early

When the outer tissues of the skin start to freeze, frostbite happens. Ears, fingers, toes, and the nose are prey to frostbite. The affected areas can begin to turn pale or blue, and your child may complain of numbness or that the area burns. 

Do not rub the frozen area at all. Take your child in and dip affected areas into warm water, not hot water. 

For areas you can’t submerge in the water, you should use warm towels. Get your child in bed, and if symptoms like numbness persist, you have to call a doctor.

Kids need so much protection in their early growth stage, and it’s our responsibility to make sure they are safe from the cold by keeping them layered and moisturized all day long.

Hydration is vital, and young children should stay in during harsh weather conditions, only in unavoidable situations should babies be carried out.

When you notice signs of hypothermia or frostbite as discussed above, get your child to warmth immediately. With persistent signs you can’t handle, get professional help as soon as you can.