Dressing your Toddler for Winter

When we moved up North after our baby turned a year old, I was dreading the cold and snowy Northern Winters. I loved living in the South and had been used to the mild winters. I really didn’t realize how many more layers we needed to keep warm during snowy days until last winter. In general, most people recommend that parents put one more layer on a child than they themselves need to stay warm.

I would take my son outside to play until the weather hit the -10°C mark. If the temperature fell beyond -10°C, we weren’t all that comfortable playing outside but I would run errands with my toddler bundled up in the stroller like going to the Library or to the Mall.

Here is how I dressed my toddler boy for cold, wintery days from age 1 – 3.

Home/Indoors

1. Long-Sleeved Cotton Bodysuits (Onesies or Creepers) as the base layer, followed by Thermal Tees or Light Sweaters.
2. Fleece Pants
3. Socks with grip

Nighttime

1. Fleece footed pyjamas (PJs) with zipper. The base layer would always be a half or full-sleeved bodysuit (onesie).
2. Light blanket but my toddler would always kick it off.

Outdoors

Layers are your best friend. I have dressed up my son in 3-4 layers depending on the temperature outside. We often didn’t venture outdoors when the temperature was around the -20°C to -30°C mark even if we were going by car unless it was absolutely necessary. I was afraid of my toddler getting a frost bite if he happened to remove his mittens or shoes which he often did.

Cold Days (5°C to -5°C)

1. Long-Sleeved Bodysuits (onesies) as the base layer.
2. Thin Pullovers (jumper), Hoodies or Sweaters as the second layer.
3. Fleece Jacket as the outer layer. Convenient for Car Rides as you can use these in car seats.
4. Footed tights or long johns. I bought a black colored one from Dollar Store and we used it often as the base layer to keep legs warm. It also provided great coverage between pants and socks so that skin on the leg was not accidentally exposed.
5. Fleece Pants or Fleece Lined Jeans
6. Socks with grip
7. Winter Boots
8. Fleece Mittens
9. Sherpa lined Balaclava Fleece Hat. This meant that the neck was covered as well.
10. Thick Blanket for Stroller and Car
11. Weather Shield for Stroller

When we headed indoors like the Library or Mall, I would remove the fleece jacket so that my little one could move around freely. If it became too warm indoors like crowded Shopping Malls, I would remove the pullover as well.

Severe Cold Weather (-5°C to -10°C)

1. Long-Sleeved Bodysuits (onesies) layered with Thermal Tees form the base layer.
2. Fleece Pullovers (Jumper), Hoodies or Sweaters would be the mid layer. I would use heavy fleece or knit fabric here.
3. Heavy Winter Coat or Snowsuit as outer layer. The disadvantage is that you need to remove it before buckling up your toddler in the car seat. You can use a Fleece Jacket while in the car along with a warm blanket.
4. Thin cotton & polyester mix pants as base layer. Better if you can find thermal pants for toddler boys. I had no such luck and simply used footed tights or lighter pajama pants instead of thermal pants.
5. Thick Fleece Pants or Fleece Lined Jeans
6. Thick Socks with grip
7. Winter Boots
8. Fleece Mittens. Double up if needed.
9. Sherpa lined Balaclava Fleece Hat. This meant that the neck was covered as well.
10. Thick Blanket for Stroller and Car
11. Weather Shield for Stroller

Once indoors, I would remove the snowsuit or winter jacket for mobility.

Extreme Cold Weather (-10°C to -20°C)

• All of the above and we would wrap our toddler in a blanket while heading to and from the car.
• Also, we would double up on the mittens and socks.

Snow Play (0°C to – 10°C)

I preferred separate winter coats and snow pants for ease of dressing and Diaper Changes. Since snow pants are heavy and lined, I only used a single base layer for the bottom.

1. Long-Sleeved Bodysuits (Onesies) for the base layer.
2. Thermal Tees or Thin Pullovers (Jumper/Sweaters) for the mid layer depending on how cold it is outside.
3. Fleece pant
4. Winter Snow Suit (I bought separate snow pant/bib and jacket).
5. Socks with grip
6. Winter Boots
7. Water proof mittens
8. Sherpa lined Balaclava Fleece Hat

Special Occasions

• For special occasions like Christmas and Parties, I often went with dressy outfits like a full-sleeve, collared shirt layered with sweater vest. Flannel shirts are good for such occasions.
• I also had a few Corduroy and Fleece Coveralls which I used for Church but I didn’t prefer those as they were difficult to layer. I guess they work better on babies rather than toddlers.

Note

• Wool and fleece are recommended for winter. It is best to avoid cotton specially as base layer.
• Scarves aren’t recommended for little children; they pose a strangulation risk.
• Babies and little children should not be dressed in snowsuits when they are strapped into car seats. Instead use fleece or light-weight jackets and a blanket if necessary.
• Have multiple pairs of mittens and socks with you in case they get wet.
• You can read about dressing your toddler for Summer over here.