Dressing Children Properly: How to Keep Your Child Warm

Children perceive warmth differently from adults: they cool down faster but often move more. The goal is to be neither too cold nor too sweaty, but to maintain a comfortable body temperature.

1. Use the "onion principle"

Instead of one thick piece of clothing, several thin layers are better:

1. Base layer (underwear): Cotton or technical fabric that wicks away moisture.
2. Mid-layer: Fleece, sweatshirt, or vest – retains warmth.
3. Outer layer: Wind and water-repellent jacket/pants, depending on the weather.

This way, layers can be added or removed as needed, e.g., when entering warm rooms.

2. Protect head, hands, feet particularly well

• Hat: Children lose a lot of heat through their heads. In very cold weather, choose ear protection.
• Gloves or mittens: Mittens often keep warmer than finger gloves.
• Socks & shoes: Warm, waterproof shoes and well-fitting socks. For snow or wet conditions, rubber boots with warm lining are better.

3. Temperature guide for outdoors

• 0–5 °C: Long-sleeve bodysuit + shirt + sweater/fleece + winter jacket + hat + gloves + warm pants + thick socks + shoes.
• 5–10 °C: Light fleece jacket or sweater + windproof jacket + hat optional.
• 10–15 °C: Thin sweater + light jacket. Hat only in wind or rain.

Rule of thumb: Children should be dressed for outdoors like yourself, plus one extra layer. If hands, feet, and nose get cold, warmth is lacking.

4. Special considerations for babies

• Babies cannot regulate their own body temperature yet.
• Sleeping bags are safer than blankets in the stroller or bed.
• In the stroller: Use a footmuff or thick blanket.
• Always check: Feel the neck and back – if they are warm, dry, and slightly moisture-free, the temperature is okay.

5. Practical tips

• Never dress too warmly: Sweating can promote colds.
• Clothing should be breathable, avoid getting wet.

Regularly check if the child is warm but not overheated.