💡 Keep kids warm when it's freezing

Hello, Geniuses. Happy International Chef Day and congratulations to last issue’s winner of the Genexa Kids’ Pain and Fever Reducer. Below, we’ll get you smarter about parenting in just 5 minutes.

GENIUS PRODUCT

Faster highchair cleanup

Eating in a highchair can be an extremely messy endeavor. The Catchy Food Catching Accessory for Highchairs solves this by adding a rounded… well, catcher to popular highchair models. It will certainly save you time.

Daily Inspiration

“Dressing a kid in a costume is one of the great joys of life.”

STRATEGY

How to keep kids warm when it’s freezing outside

Winter is coming, and that means cold weather. But, how do you make sure your kids stay warm and safe? Here are some tips based on age and expert advice.

Infants: 0-12 months

Layering is key: Dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear. Their surface area to volume ratio is much higher, so they loose heat faster than you. A onesie, followed by a warm outfit, and then a snowsuit is a good combo if you’re headed into freezing weather.

Avoid bulky coats in the car: In car seats, bulky clothes can be unsafe. Take off the jacket and use a blanket over the harness instead.

Cover extremities: Keep hands and feet warm with mittens and booties.

Hat on, scarf off: A lot of heat is lost through the head. Put a hat on your baby when going outside. But, avoid scarves as they pose a strangulation risk.

Toddlers: 1-3 years

Let them move: Physical activity helps to generate body heat. Keep your toddlers active.

Waterproof gear: Snow is fun but wet and cold are not. Get waterproof boots and gloves.

Snack time: Eating helps to warm the body. Always carry some healthy snacks.

Watch for red cheeks: Red cheeks, ears, or nose can be early signs of frostbite. Come inside to warm up.

School-age kids: 4-12 years

Teach self-care: Kids should know when to come in from the cold. Teach them the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Wool for the win: Wool socks and sweaters keep warmth better than cotton.

Hydrate: Yes, even in winter. Dehydration can make kids colder.

For a bit more, like how to treat frostbite and hypothermia, see the American Academy of Pediatrics Winter Safety guide.

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YOUR OPINION

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST ISSUE

When is a kid old enough to walk around the block alone?

• 4 years old or younger (5%)

• 5-6 years old (19%)

• 7-8 years old (36%)

• 9 years old or older (40%)

Featured response

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• Harvey Karp Knows How to Make Babies Happy: an interview with the doctor famous for his books The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block.

• Henry: Rob Delaney writes about the heart-wrenching story of his child’s battle with a brain tumor and the book he stopped writing for parents with sick children.

Games

Trivia

• What is the most common hour of the week for babies to be born in the United States?

• What is the largest age gap recorded between two twins?

ANSWERS FROM LAST TIME

• If humans continued to grow at the rate they do in their first month of life, by 20 years old they would be between 10 and 12 meters (32 and 39 feet) tall.

• Babies can typically communicate via some form of sign language before they can speak.

ONE LAST THING

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