Winter! It’s a tough season for all of us, but especially parents of sensory sensitive kids. Your concern for your kids shifts back and forth between keeping them warm and managing their sensitivities. Every kid is different, but following a few tips will help you navigate the winter more successfully with your sensitive child.
Wash Everything
At the start of a new season, most parents are pulling out a few old things from last season, but also doing a lot of buying of new things to wear. Run the old clothes that have been sitting in the back of a closet through the wash to help freshen them up. But, go ahead and wash all your kid’s new things, too. Washing new things before wearing them can help loosen and soften them.
Remove Tags
Every sensory parent knows that’s the first thing to do, of course. Some tags are worse than others and new things may need to be tried and inspected for any extra discomforts. Don’t forget coats, scarves, hats, gloves, etc. These are easy to overlook since they go over other clothes, but you never know how something will rub or irritate.
Keep Skin Moisturized
Sometimes sensitive kids can experience even more difficulty when it comes to dry skin. Be sure to lotion them up every day and use a good chap stick. It will also help if they’re well hydrated, so make sure they’re drinking plenty of water, too. Water – not juice or soda!
Prepare them Before the Season
Test your kiddo ahead of time to see what items will bother them. Bundle them up with anything you would on their coldest day – coat, hat, scarf, gloves. You’ll have time to find a solution for anything that is irritating.
Hand Warmers
Some children will find gloves uncomfortable and refuse to wear them. And since SmartKnitKids doesn’t make gloves at present, you’ll need to find something that works to keep their hands warm. A hand warmer in each pocket may do the trick.
Dress in Layers
Since some kids, try as you might, just will not wear a winter coat, you may have to resort to multiple layers. You can find several shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc. and add several layers to your kiddo. Thermal shirts like ones made by athletic gear companies may help, too, since they’re thin and designed to keep you warm.
Keep Extra Clothes at School/Daycare
This extends the idea of dressing in layers. If you keep an extra layer or two at school, it’s fewer things to keep track of when leaving the house, but can provide a little extra warmth if the child didn’t arrive at school with enough.
Experiment with Different Fabrics
Some children might like the super softness of fleece and others may feel it’s too bulky. Some might like the sleekness of a thermal shirt, but others may not. Give you child a choice between certain fabrics that you approve of to create extra warmth.
Socks
Don’t forget our SmartKnitKIDS socks. Keeping feet warm during the winter is important. SmartKnitKIDS socks will be more comfortable for sensitive kids because of our super soft, stretchy fabric and no seams. They also help keep feet dry, which in turn keeps them warmer during the winter. I like to stick some over my baby’s hands, too, instead of mittens. They stay on better than baby mittens and they’re nice and comfortable. 😉
Stay positive, moms and dads. Although it may not feel like it, the warm weather isn’t toooo far off.
Bugsley's Blog 