It’s winter in Kansas City, and the snow will fall. While growing up in Blue Springs, my sister, Wendy, and I waited each year for a heavy snow so we could build snowmen and igloos in our backyard. I remember standing in the middle of the yard the morning after such a snow storm. The neighborhood, usually loud with the sounds of children giggling and shouting while playing hide-and-seek or riding their bicycles, was nearly silent except for the soft tinkle of ice covered tree branches swaying in a light breeze.
When my son was born in November of 2007, winter approached. I was anxious about the prevalence of flu and other viruses, but I was also eager to spend time outdoors with him. I knew he was too young then, but I still imagined the first time he would discover the marvelous quiet of snow as well as the snowball fights and igloo tunneling we’d do in our yard in Independence.
Outdoor Stimulation
Going outdoors with your baby provides her with important stimulation, and talking regularly to your baby helps her language and social development. Venturing outside allows you the opportunity to talk about new things in each season. During the fall, my son and I searched for centipedes under rocks and picked up red leaves to make a wreath. During these activities, my son started using the word “pede” for centipedes and said “red” for the first time. This winter, we talk about snowballs and icicles, as well as our tracks in the snow.
Safety
Infants cannot control their internal temperature until the end of their first year. It may be best to wait until your baby is around 2 before you take her outside in cold weather. Make sure your baby wears at least one more layer of clothing than you do indoors or outside. If you have to go out in very cold weather, bundle up baby in a sweater over her clothes and give her a hat. Cover her face and ears with a blanket.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure can be just as dangerous in the winter as it is in the summer. Wearing sunscreen protects your baby against harmful rays. However, most pediatricians believe babies under six months shouldn’t use sunscreen. Check with yours for a recommendation. You will want to wait to take baby outdoors for an extended period of time until he can wear sunscreen.
Take Breaks
Toddlers and older children do not easily keep track of their body temperature. Keep outdoor excursions brief and come inside to warm up.
This winter, my son, Elliott, is 2 and is more capable of handling the colder temperatures. Now we can spend a little more time exploring a new world outdoors and delighting in the quiet white of a heavy Midwestern snowfall.
Carrie Allison and her son Elliot are enjoying the winter weather in their home in Independence.