Key Points
-
Babies are not able to regulate their temperatures in the same way adults do, so they need baby snow boots.
-
A baby’s extremities need covering and warmth during the winter months.
-
Baby snow boots are not necessary for every baby, but they are essential for children who walk and play in the snow.
If you have a baby in your house, you do everything to keep that child healthy, safe, and happy. Children of a young age cannot regulate their temperatures like adults. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes, "Because of their unique physiology, children are more susceptible to temperature extremes and their health effects. Children are less able to regulate their body temperature compared with adults.” That makes it even more important to notice when your baby is cold to rectify the issue as soon as possible.
As the winter chill hits, imagine what a baby feels if you feel cold. Your child needs to feel cozy and warm at all times, so think about getting baby snow boots.
Why Are Cold Temperatures Dangerous to Babies?
Babies are new to the world. Everything around them is new, including temperature changes. They are constantly learning and adapting, but some things take time. Babies lose heat about four times faster than adults. Even babies with higher birth weights lack body fat and insulation. Their bodies are not prepared to control their temperature as of yet.
When a baby gets cold, they use energy and oxygen to keep themselves warm. A chilled baby is in danger of hypothermia, frostbite, and even sudden infant death syndrome. You know how dangerous the cold is for an adult — it is even worse for a baby. When the child is at just the right temperature, they can keep their reserves, grow, and thrive.
Signs a Baby Is Cold
Babies are not able to vocalize what is wrong and why. It would be a lot easier on parents if they could do so. They do have ways of communicating their discomfort. You need to know if your baby is cold, and here are a few signs that help you do just that.
Unusual Quietness
You know your child best and understand what is normal for them and unusual. If a child is quiet and still, and that is not unlike them, it could be because of the cold. Babies cannot shiver and warm their bodies. When they go still, their body could be trying to regulate their temperature through energy use, so they do not have the energy they need for other things.
Crying
A baby’s most typical response to any kind of discomfort is crying. It is frustrating, but parents must figure out what the baby needs to help them. They might simply be cold if you have already tried feeding and changing your baby. Hold them close, add more socks to their feet, and see if that helps.
Cold Extremities
Feel your baby’s hands and feet. Those are the parts of their body that are going to show the cold they feel first. If their hands or toes feel like ice, they are cold, and you must take steps to remedy the issue. Once you get a read on what makes them cold, attempt to prevent the discomfort from happening as often.
White Hands or Toes
If you are outside with your child, watch their fingers and toes. If they begin to turn white, that is a sign of frostbite, and you need to take them inside and warm them as soon as possible. Frostbite is dangerous to anyone, especially a baby. Do not run their hands and feet under hot water to rewarm them, as that causes more damage.
Lethargy or Floppy Behavior
If your child gets chilled to a dangerous level, they may seem lethargic or take steps backward in their development and become floppy. They could be unable to hold their heads up, for example. This kind of dangerous cold requires urgent medical attention immediately.
Keeping Your Baby Warm
You want your child to be warm but do not want to overdo it. Babies that get hot have similar issues to children that get too cold, as they cannot cool themselves off very well. When you take your child out in the winter, and the temperatures are low, assume they are going to get cold fast. There are many things to do to keep your baby warm inside and outside during the colder months.
Bump Up the Thermostat
You may be okay with putting on an extra sweater when the winter settles in and your house temperature drops, but a baby cannot do that. If you pile too much clothing on a baby, they cannot move, which leads to discomfort and crying. You want your child to be warm enough without layer after layer of clothing when they are inside.
Instead of grabbing more clothes, bump the house's temperature up a few degrees. Adults could always take a layer or two off if you get too warm. Remember that professionals do not recommend new babies sleep with blankets unless tightly swaddled. When you burrow into your warm bed and lay an extra blanket on top, you are comfortable, but your child only has what they are wearing to keep them warm overnight. The thermostat is a huge help in keeping your child warm.
Run a Humidifier
Winter air tends to be dry, which also causes issues for a child. Plenty of illnesses are going around during the cold months, and your child could even develop a dry cough because of the dry air. Adding moisture to the air in their room or other dry areas of the house where they spend much time helps to keep them warm and healthy.
Get a temperature and humidity detector to control how much humidity you add to any space. If you allow too much moisture to enter the room, mold, and mildew starts growing on windowsills and other areas.
Make Socks a Priority
Putting socks on your child and ensuring that they stay in place is a never-ending battle, but socks are imperative to keeping their little toes warm over the wintertime. Socks are fun for babies to pull on, and they adore kicking them off. Get socks that have a tighter fit to them without cutting off circulation. Socks loosen and become easier to kick off.
Be diligent about eyeing your child’s feet. When the socks come off, you must put them back on their feet.
Try Footed Pajamas
Your child does not have to wear anything special when you are home. Instead, it is your goal to keep them warm and happy.
Footed pajamas are easy to put on and cover your child completely — down to their toes. These simple and easy outfits are also lovely for taking your child outside in the cold. They do not have to wear shoes, and you do not have to worry about their feet getting nearly as cold. There is no gap between pants and socks when the winter wind hits.
Wear the Baby
Whether doing chores around the house or running errands in the colder temperatures, body heat is a surefire way to keep warm. If you have a carrier, place your baby inside and hold them tightly against your chest. Your baby will curl up in the cozy warmth, and you do not have to worry as much about their temperature regulation in the winter.
Plus, you have two free hands to get other stuff done!
What About Snow Boots?
As fall turns to winter, you prepare by getting your winter boots out. What does your child need? That depends on your baby's age and activity level and what you plan to do with them.
Your Baby Is Not Walking Yet
If your baby is new to the world and shows no signs of walking any time soon, you do not have to get snow boots for them. Instead, when you leave the house, ensure their covered feet are warm.
They are not going to get wet by walking through the snow, so they do not need as much protection as they would otherwise. Place your baby in their car seat inside the house and cover their feet with a warm blanket. Car seat covers also keep the cold air away from your child as you rush to the car. Snow boots are in the near future, but you do not need them yet.
Your Baby Is Walking but Is Not Going Outside
Your baby started walking just before winter, but they are still young, and you do not want them out in the snow. Snow is a lot of fun for children, but it is a danger to small kids who cannot handle the cold.
There comes a time when your child plays in the snow and has a lot of fun. As their parent, you get to decide when the time is right. Even if your child is walking, if you are not going to have them out playing in the snow, you do not need snow boots. Save your money and get a good pair the following winter when nothing stops them from going out.
Your Baby Is Walking and Prefers It That Way
Once a child starts walking, pulling them back is hard. Not only is your child walking, but when you run errands and do other things, they want to get down and toddle around themselves. It is going to be hard to keep a child like that contained, even when the snow hits the ground. All they want to do is explore. Getting your child snow boots is a good idea so their feet remain warm and safe as they experience snow.
What To Look for in Snow Boots for a Baby
You know what you want in snow boots for yourself, but your child has different needs. What do you want in snow boots for your baby? Consider the following things.
Insulation
The feet get cold fast. You know that from your own experience, and it is even worse for a baby.
As you look at snow boots, focus on insulating qualities. The higher the insulation weight, the warmer the boots are. Insulation measurements come in grams. Check the ratings to see what the boots can withstand. Remember that no baby will be hiking long trails in their feet or working long hours outside. The highest levels of insulation likely are not necessary. However, you want enough insulation to keep them warm while outside.
Tread
If your child is learning to walk, they fall plenty. You don’t want anything extra taking them down if prevention is possible. The soles and tread on the boots are essential. Watch for deep tread so their boots grip the snow and ice and keep them vertical. Soles must be rubber or have other waterproof materials so no snow or ice gets inside and chill their feet. Children do not always stop when they get cold and wet feet.
Height
Short boots are cute but do not help your child’s feet stay warm and dry when walking through the snow. You want boots that rise mid-calf or higher so the snow and ice stay outside.
Fit
Your child is growing daily, and finding the right size boots is hard. Their size today is different from what their size is next month. Try a few sizes on your child and see what you can slip on and off. You want boots that fit well, but get a size larger, to layer several socks beneath the boots.
Ease of Wear
Putting shoes of any kind on an active child is a struggle. You want boots that can get on your baby before they take off into the snow with bare feet. The boots need to be snug so they do not fall off, but they need to be fast to put on and take back off later.
The Best Snow Boots for Babies
Babies have different needs than adults or even older children. Their feet are still learning to stay beneath them, hold their weight, and transport them around. Snow boots for babies need more flexibility; for the parents’ sake, they must be easy to put on and take off.
Most snow boots for babies are adorable, but that is not enough to make a purchase. You want your child’s boots to be functional first and stylish second. Here are a few of the best baby snow boots on the market.
L.L. Bean Toddlers’ Ultralight Winter Boots
These warm boots are on the pricey side, but they are warm and comfortable. It is hard for a toddler to remove these boots, which can be frustrating when they get inside, but while they are in the snow, it is a good feature. The waterproof exterior keeps their feet nice and warm while playing, and the outsole is flexible for comfort. The soft fleece lining keeps their toes cozy.
Carter’s Deltha Snow Boot
With Velcro closures, these boots are easy to slip on and off. Your child learns fast and can do it themselves in no time. The boots are versatile and highly weatherproof. They work well in rain, snow, sleet, mud, and other conditions.
They come in many colors, so you're sure to find something that matches your child’s coat and other winter gear.
FJWYSANGU Toddler Girl Warm Winter Snow Boots
These adorable boots are affordable, warm, and waterproof. They hit at a usual height between the boot and bootie range, but the nonslip rubber sole helps kids stay vertical on snow and ice.
The top features faux fur, and the lining is soft and plush, keeping feet warm for hours outside in winter.
BOGS Baby-B-Moc Snow Boot
Keep the snow off your child’s feet with these snow boots. They have the comfort you want for them, along with flexible soles. They are easy to slip on and off, so watch your child outside to ensure they do not take advantage of that. They contain ratings that go well below zero.
Start Searching for Your Baby’s Snow Boots Early
Stores get swimsuits out in the middle of the winter to prepare for the next season. Likewise, you notice winter boots out before winter starts. Look for snow boots in the off-season to find better deals, more size options, and the variety you need. Ordering boots online is always an option, but you may want to get several pairs so you can try them on your child and see what works best.
Cold feet are dangerous for a baby, and as a good parent, you only want to keep your child safe, happy, and healthy. Warm snow boots help your baby remain warm while exploring the wonder of a good snowfall.
For more up-to-date info on the latest boot trends, styles, and purchasing options, check out BootAuthority.
