Because I dress my kids in layers.

I wanted to write about the benefits of keeping children warm, but then someone sent me a link to this article, which says exactly what I had planned to say! Written by a doctor, no less. (though I did not verify her credentials...)

http://www.youandyourchildshealth.org/youandyourchildshealth/articles/the%20importance%20of%20warmth.html

We've all heard that you should dress your baby/child in one more layer than you are currently wearing. I had a lot of questions about how to do that, such as:

Does one layer of fleece (like a pair of footy pajamas) equal the warmth of two of my thin cotton layers? (like a tank top and tshirt) I know fleece is made of polyester and does not breathe, but that is partly why it feels warmer, it traps the heat inside (but also traps sweat that accumulates inside and could make the body cooler - see how confusing?!?)

Does a bra count as a layer?

Does a baby carrier/sling count as a layer?

If we are going to be in the car, is the extra layer necessary, considering how warm the car seat is? What if we just use a light blanket in the car instead? Or keep the heater on?

My baby is very big (so many thick rolls! love it!) and I generally wear 3-4 layers (I think - bra, tank, t shirt, sweater - SF is chilly, man!) . If I were to dress my baby in one more layer than what I have on, he would not be able to move very well. (think of maggie simpson in her snow suit) How do you accommodate for that?

I asked my peers these questions, and the resounding response was, "My kid is warm in x amount of clothes, so that is what he wears", where "x" tended to be 1 or 2 layers, equal to or less than the number of layers mama wears. This takes me back to the link I posted above, where you will read that children don't actually know when they are warm or cold, and it is our duty/gift to keep them warm, and so with that in mind, how do you dress your child, and round and round we go.

I suppose the 3-layer-adage is not one size fits all. My questions about how to correctly apply the layering standard were not addressed.

Anyone else care to chime in? I mean to answer my questions about layering, not about whether or not your child is warm. I am sure they think they are.

-NinaMama