Experts warn: Overdressing children in winter can limit movement and healthy development |
Winter is also a period when parents are even more particular about their kids’ being in good health. The cold weather, combined with infected germs in the air result in increased clothing as layers are added in a bid to protect the kids from harm. Although clothes are a necessary component when it comes to protection from the cold environment in winter, there are rising concerns from child experts who warn that overdressing can be silently hampering the development of a child. This is because kids have a unique way of managing their body temperature compared to their elders. Additionally, kids require constant activity even in colder weather.
How heavy winter clothing restricts movement and physical development
Children grow by moving. Activities such as running, jumping, climbing, and playing stimulate their muscles and bones to grow strong and dense. Thick jackets, thick sweaters, or several layers of tight clothing can make these normal activities uncomfortable or exhausting for them. This can lead to a sedentary lifestyle for these children instead of engaging in play. A lack of physical activity, which can be detrimental to these growing years, can delay muscle growth and result in poor bone development. Pediatricians highlight that bones need to be stimulated mechanically to properly grow, failing which can lead to reduced bone density with age.Winter, on the other hand, also reduces the exposure to sunlight because of the shorter duration of the day and the lower temperature. With children dressed in clothing that covers them all over, not to mention staying indoors, their opportunity to get direct sunlight is reduced. Sunlight helps in the production of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium in the body. It also helps in maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D helps in the regulation of the immune system.According to PubMed Central, children respond to cold differently than adults, and how they are dressed in winter can affect their comfort, activity, and long-term health. Research shows that heavy clothing or excessive layers can raise skin temperature without significantly altering core body heat, potentially limiting movement and outdoor play. Reduced activity and less sunlight exposure may lower vitamin D production, which is essential for calcium absorption, bone growth, and immune function. These findings highlight the importance of balanced winter clothing that protects from cold while allowing children to stay active, receive sunlight, and support healthy growth and development.
Impact of overheating on comfort and skin health
Contrary to popular opinion, overheating is possible in children during winter, either indoors or in hot environments, and during morning warmth. The main reasons for overheating in children include the retention of heat by multiple layers of clothing, which in turn causes sweating, ultimately resulting in a steamy body surface. Moreover, repeated sweating in non-breathable clothing might increase infections in children. As a result, many irritable, restless, and tired-looking children could be overheating rather than being chilled.Though children may not feel the same levels of thirst in the cool seasons, it is often when the mineral loss from sweat due to over-layering contributes to dehydration. Also, if children fail to replenish the fluid loss, mild dehydration may occur. It may mainly happen when children are actively playing or when they are clothed heavily indoors.
Clothing children properly in winter for healthy growth
The primary purpose of winter clothing should be comfort and versatility rather than insulation.” Layers of clothing that are both light and porous enable the child to remain warm while also facilitating movement and temperature regulation. Clothing that can be readily layered or unlayered enables the parent and child with DS to adjust to the indoor and outdoor climate. Promoting outdoor play activities during the daytime enables the child with DS to remain physically active as well as produce vitamin D in the sunlight. A well-balanced diet and sufficient calcium and vitamin D also ensure the normal growth of the child during the winter months.
