Walking on the street is a pleasant and rewarding pastime. To know the world around us, to communicate with children and adults is so great! But the weather does not always make us happy, so mothers are worried about how to dress a child on the street correctly.
Confuse or not?
Grandmothers are used to having children wrapped up. Steam does not break bones - this is a common folk proverb. But modern doctors have definitely established that more need to be afraid of overheating. Mobile children are always hot, they sweat easily, unfasten their clothes, take off their hats, and this is where there is a greater risk of catching a cold. Overheating is stress for the immune system, and a slight hypothermia, as a rule, does not cause much harm.
So, we will find out how to dress a child according to the weather, so that he is comfortable, and the walk brings joy.
Clothing selection criteria
1. The age of the child (babies are dressed differently than "runners" or schoolchildren).
2. Mobility during a walk (in a stroller, in the arms of mom, mainly walks, runs or rides a bicycle).
3. The temperature is outside.
4. Atmospheric phenomena (sun, wind, snow, humidity).
3. The individual characteristics of the baby (he personally expresses his feelings about the temperature of comfort, the child is almost always hot or cold when you wear it).
Age
Breasts are more sensitive to temperature changes. For them, danger is both overheating and hypothermia. How to dress a child for a walk? And how to determine that the clothes are not suitable? If the child is uncomfortable, he will most likely report it by crying. From time to time, you need to touch the back of the head and back of the child in order to understand whether it is hot for him. As a rule, young mothers and grandmothers tend to overheat the baby, rather than supercool. A light summer breeze is not a reason to put on a warm hat. If after a walk it is found that the baby has wet hair and back, you obviously went too far with the clothes.
Kids 1-3 years old are more resistant to changes in atmospheric conditions and better regulate their body temperature. But on them you can often see "a hundred clothes without fasteners."
Preschoolers 3-5 years old are even more perfect in relation to thermoregulation, in addition, as a rule, they are very mobile. True, if the child is hot or cold, he will strongly declare this. Therefore, it’s easier for you to determine how to properly dress your child. The older the children, the easier it is to find out their individual feeling of comfort temperature.
Schoolchildren and teenagers are a special topic. Here another problem already arises, because it is better to go in winter without a hat, not to wear thermal underwear or warm leggings. Both boys and girls risk earning acute and chronic illnesses if they don’t dress properly. Therefore, parents should clearly and delicately explain why hypothermia threatens. Offer bright accessories (hat, scarf, mittens) for the choice of a teenager, as well as stylish thermal underwear, and the problem will be solved. Perhaps your child's friends will follow suit.
Mobility while walking
If the baby is in a stroller and sits / lies, he will need an additional layer of clothing or a blanket. If you carry the baby in a sling or backpack outside, some of your heat will be transferred to him, so additional wrapping is not needed. A sling jacket that hides the baby inside will generally allow him to be dressed in warm clothes for the house and a hat for the weather, because only his head will be “on the surface”.
Walkers and runners require lightweight clothing. Even if you are cold, you can be sure that the child is warm. For your own peace of mind, periodically check how comfortable your baby is. But if he enthusiastically learns the world or runs after friends, for sure he is well.
How to dress a child according to the weather, if he is engaged in an active sport? Lightweight clothing with a membrane layer is useful for him, which removes excess heat to the outside.
Temperature "overboard"
The most comfortable temperature is about 20-23 degrees Celsius. If the street frost is below -15, it is better to refrain from walking. Heat above 30 degrees in the shade is also very dangerous.
Other temperature ranges - from minus 10 to plus 28 - are quite good for walking with the right clothes.
Atmospheric phenomena (sun, wind, snow)
Strong winds and high humidity make us freeze faster. You will need an additional layer of clothing and a windproof jacket. Heavy snow is dangerous because the child can gradually wet clothes and shoes, so watch the weather forecast if you get far from home.
The sun and calm, on the contrary, are more favorable for a walk, and extra layers of clothing can only interfere.
Individual characteristics
An attentive mother will notice if the baby constantly complains of heat or cold. Frozen children are a rarer occurrence. Apparently, because they are always wrapped up, and they do not suffer from this. But if you hear “I'm hot!” All day, it means that you got a “warm-blooded” baby. How to dress a child according to the weather in this case? If you see that he is objectively more comfortable without numerous sweaters, leave it as it is, do not put on extra layers. True, you need to be prepared for the fact that the grandmothers at the porches will shake their heads when they see your child "light". But remember that overheating is more dangerous, and only you are responsible for the health of the child.
Frozen or overheated?
Most often, mothers worry about whether the child is cold.
Signs of hypothermia:
- screaming, crying, active movements;
- very cold legs (maybe the boots became small and the legs quickly freeze);
- pale skin.
How to check if the baby is warm? If the nose, cheeks, hands and butt are cool, everything is in order. If it’s very cold, it's time to bask.
Overheating is thirst, a warm face (in winter), a sweaty and hot back and neck.
What to do with hypothermia and overheating
You can hold a frozen child to yourself and warm it. If he knows how to run, start a fun game with jumping and waving hands. When the baby is warm, dress him a little warmer.
Overheating is a more dangerous condition. It is necessary to remove the extra layers of clothing and restore the water balance, offer water, juice, compote. In summer, you can wipe your forehead and hands with water.
If there is overheating or hypothermia, it is best to take the baby home.
Clothes for the child in the winter
With the approach of cold weather, parents think about how to dress their child in winter properly. On the one hand, there is a temptation to stay at home as much as possible. Less risk of catching a cold and catching an infection. But this is a fallacy. It is fresh air and movement that help the baby strengthen immunity and minimize the risk of disease. Modern winter clothes for children are very convenient and functional, and you can walk with pleasure.
The simplest rule is to focus on the temperature that the outdoor thermometer shows.
In the range of “minus 5-plus 5” there will be enough of such layers: thermal underwear (tights and a long-sleeved T-shirt), insulated jumpsuit, thin socks, warm boots with a woolen insole, warm gloves and a hat. Winter clothes for children should be light in weight and warm.
If the street is 5-10 degrees below zero, you need to add one coat of clothing (knitted turtleneck) and wool socks.
How to dress a child in winter, if on the street minus 10-15? We also put on a fleece sub-stock (bike and panties). Woolen socks can be thicker, if desired, replace shoes with felt boots. Overalls choose on a heater from natural down with a deep hood. Warm mittens will warm your hands better than gloves.
In severe frost it is better not to go outside. But if there is such a need, try to reduce the walking time and protect the baby's skin with a special cream on a greasy basis.
How to dress in winter and autumn - general principles
1. Layering. Several layers of clothing hold heat better. Thus, at low temperatures, a t-shirt with a sleeve plus a turtleneck is better than one sweater.
2. Impregnation from wind and water. For outerwear, this is necessary, because it is very easy to freeze in a wet jacket. And if you allow your child to wallow in the snow or walk in the rain, buy waterproof overalls and shoes.
3. The movement. If the baby is actively moving, consider this when choosing clothes.
4. Control. It is often difficult for parents to immediately determine how to dress a child according to the weather. But if you regularly check it after the street, it will become clear how correctly the choice was made with clothes. If the baby is sweaty and wet, you need to reduce the layers, if the limbs are cool, you can add.
5. Convenience and freedom of movement. These are the main distinguishing features of modern clothes for the cold season.
How to dress a child in autumn and winter? We hope you now know the answer to this question.