How to Keep Young Children Healthy in Cold Weather

As we approach the cooler months, keeping children healthy can require so much more than making sure your kids wash their hands before a meal. Their developing immune systems make them vulnerable to more illness during colder temperatures. Here are a few simple ways adults can reduce the amount of times their kids get sick this winter!

Preparing for Cold Weather: What Parents Can Do Ahead of Time

Adults should check the weather forecast before heading outdoors to plan accordingly. Before the colder temperatures start, stock up on warm clothing, including hats, gloves, and scarves.

Teach children to wash their hands frequently, especially during flu season. Germs spread quickly on the skin and through their mouth, so be sure to have your kids wash their hands properly before they touch their face, eat a meal, or come back in after they play outside.

Is It Necessary to Keep Your Child Indoors to Stay Healthy?

Absolutely not! Kids don't catch a cold by being cold, although this is a popular old wives tale. By following some simple tips, you can make sure your children stay safe this winter even as they continue to enjoy playing outside!

Tips for healthy outdoor play:

• Encourage kids to wash their hands regularly, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating a meal.

• Teach good hygiene habits, such as covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Keep your child’s play and sleep environment clean and germ-free, if you are able to.

• Encourage your kids to get plenty of sleep at night to help their immune system function at its best.

• Dress appropriately for the weather, whether it be rain, snow, wind, or just cold temperatures.

Dressing for Cold Weather

Dress your child in several thin layers to keep them warm and dry, plus insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat. With layers, you can peel one off if your child starts to sweat. If clothes get wet from snow or rain, change your child into dry ones right away.

Young children can't regulate their body temperature as well as adults can, so dress a baby in one more layer than you're wearing.

Keep outdoor playtime reasonable and come inside to warm up often. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against playing outside when the temperature or wind chill is below -15°F.

At bedtime, keep the crib bare. Loose blankets raise the risk of suffocation, so use layers or a wearable blanket like a [sleep sack](https://keababies.com/collections/sleep-sacks) instead, and lay your baby down on their back on a firm, flat surface. Skip hats indoors and don't let your baby get too hot, because overheating raises the risk of SIDS.

Watch for signs that your child is too cold:
- Frostbite: the skin hurts or burns, then goes numb, and may turn white or pale gray. Bring your child inside and soak the area in warm (not hot) water for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't rub it or pop any blisters. Call your pediatrician if pain or numbness lasts more than a few minutes.
- Hypothermia: shivering at first, then sluggishness, clumsiness or slurred speech. This is a medical emergency, so call 911. While you wait, get your child indoors, take off wet clothes and wrap them in blankets or warm clothes.

Car Seats and Winter Coats

Puffy coats and snowsuits shouldn't go under a car seat harness. The bulk leaves extra room under the straps, so the harness can end up too loose to protect your child in a crash.

• Dress your child in thin, warm layers for the ride, like fleece instead of a puffy jacket.
• Buckle the harness and tighten it. If you can still pinch the strap between your fingers, tighten it more.
• Once your child is buckled in, add warmth on top: a blanket over the harness, or their coat put on backwards.
• Use a car seat cover only if it adds no layer under or behind your baby, and keep your baby's face uncovered.
• When the car warms up, take off the top layer so your child doesn't overheat.

For more on harness fit, see our guide to five-point harness car seats.

Staying Active and Healthy During Cold Weather

Encourage kids to engage in outdoor activities, such as winter sports, as a way to stay active and healthy. It is not necessary to simply stay indoors all winter long. Make sure your child wears warm and protective clothing, including a helmet, when engaging in winter sports.

Teach your kids to take lots of breaks and go inside to warm up when playing outside in cold weather becomes too much. Encourage kids to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Cold Weather Safety Precautions

Adults should be aware of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and take action quickly if they suspect something is wrong with their child. Teach children to stay away from frozen lakes and rivers.

Make sure your child knows how to prevent potential injury, such as wearing a helmet when sledding or skiing. Teach children to wear gloves and warm clothing to prevent frostbite.

Managing Winter Sickness

Here are some tips to keep kids from spreading germs to the entire family.

• Ask your pediatrician which vaccines and immunizations are recommended for your child this season, including protection against flu, COVID-19 and RSV. The answer depends on your child's age and health, and recommendations have changed in recent years. The CDC's vaccine schedules for parents are a good place to start.

• Learn the common signs of flu, COVID-19 and RSV, such as fever, cough, runny nose and wheezing. In very young babies, RSV may only show up as fussiness, being less active, or trouble breathing.

• Teach children to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough.

• Encourage kids to stay home from school if they are feeling sick.

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and stays hydrated when sick.

Nutrition and Hydration During Cold Weather

Kids should eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Teach children to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, milk and warm soup. For babies, breast milk or formula is the main drink. A little water can start around 6 months, and juice should wait until after the first birthday.

Ask your pediatrician before giving your child any vitamin or supplement, including vitamin D.

Encourage kids to eat warm and nutritious meals that are high in protein and low in salt and sugar.

Creating a Safe and Healthy Environment

Make sure your child’s home environment is as clean and germ-free as possible. Teach your children to wash their hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.

Encourage kids to get plenty of sleep and rest to help their immune system function properly.

Make sure your child has a safe and warm place to play indoors, and dress properly when they go outside to play in rain or snow. Keeping their ears covered can be especially helpful for keeping warm!

Seeking Medical Care When Needed

If your child seems very sick or you're worried, call your pediatrician. Call right away if your child:

• Is younger than 3 months (12 weeks) and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Is breathing fast, struggling to breathe, or has ribs pulling in with each breath
• Has bluish lips or a bluish face
• Shows signs of dehydration, like no pee for 8 hours, a dry mouth, or no tears when crying CDC
• Is unusually sleepy, or isn't alert or interacting when awake
• Has a seizure, a stiff neck, or a rash you can't explain
• Has a fever that rises above 104°F (40°C) again and again, or a fever or cough that gets better and then comes back or gets worse

The CDC lists trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, and seizures as emergency warning signs of flu in children, so get medical care immediately if you see them. Also call your pediatrician if a fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2, or more than 72 hours in a child 2 or older.

Make sure your child has a pediatrician and schedule regular check-ups. Teach children to tell a trusted adult if they are feeling unwell or if they have any concerns. Make sure your child has access to medical care, such as a pediatrician or urgent care, in case of an emergency.

Things to watch for:

If you need to be outside, wear plenty of layers and do checks of their skin, fingers, nose, ears, and toes.

Head injuries

Snow tubing, using snow disks, skiing, ice skating, and other winter activities can be fun but dangerous. Consider a helmet for sledding, sled feet first or sitting up instead of lying head-first, choose steerable sleds over snow disks or inner tubes, and supervise children under 12.

The colder months can be full of fun for families, as long as they know how to keep their kids healthy and safe.

Whether you're going out in the snow, dealing with rainy weather, or staying cozy inside, it's important for parents to take special care of their children during the colder winter months.