Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How do you keep warm if you're a cold person?

76 replies

HalyardHitch · 01/04/2019 07:14

Just looking for little tips regarding my son. He has some medical issues which means he struggles to maintain his body temperature and is often cold. We were out on Saturday in t-shirts and he was in a jumper complaining of the cold.

We always put a vest on him but short of putting him in a coat 24/7, I'm stumped.

Anyone have any tips I may have overlooked?

OP posts:
Fazackerley · 01/04/2019 08:37

uniqlo

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 01/04/2019 08:47

Go look in aldi and lidl, they have merino under layers and no end of ski type clothing atm...well our aldi does for sure, it seems to be where all the children's stuff comes to die!
I am always envious of the salopettes and coat combos they have for the little ones....they are decent quality too I used to buy them when mine wer little and one one set did all three of mine at various stages, no wear or broken zips/poppers

I like layers and no gaps to keep warm. so long vest top tucked into jeans, long sleeved t shirt layered under another short sleeved baggier one, big lightweight scarf, longish socks in ankle boots so no draughts get in there either

DinosApple · 01/04/2019 09:11

Thermals, layers and teddy bear fleece on top indoors. Also, teddy bear fleece bedding (Dunelm) if he is cold a night. That stuff is amazing.

I feel the cold hugely, and work in a chilly environment. I keep my coat on in the office and only take it off if it gets above 20 degrees in there (only ever happened in last year's heatwave).

Palominoo · 01/04/2019 09:33

I feel the cold and find wearing a hat makes a lot of difference.

Will he wear a beanie?

Lweji · 01/04/2019 11:31

However, last week we went to an indoor place where a coat would have been cumbersome for him.

A coat is obviously fine but not so much in the blazing sunshine

Right...

Fazackerley · 01/04/2019 11:34

Yeah I don't understand why he can't wear a coat. Those thin down jackets are really warm and very lightweight. I wear one for horse riding and I've even wore it running when it was freezing a couple of months ago! They aren't cumbersome

Palominoo · 01/04/2019 11:39

Coats don't need to be cumbdrsomw unless he's wearing a Duffle coat trussed up like Paddington Bear.

A shell type jacket, even in a size larger with layers underneath so that he can always remove a layer if necessary.

Palominoo · 01/04/2019 11:44

This doesn't look conspicuous as being an obvious coat if worn indoors.

www.vertbaudet.co.uk/hooded-jacket-for-boys-blue-medium-mixed-color.htm?ProductId=702470211&FiltreCouleur=6403&t=1

Palominoo · 01/04/2019 11:46

Extra warmth if you're opposed to him wearing a coat

www.vertbaudet.co.uk/hooded-jacket-for-boys-blue-medium-mixed-color.htm?ProductId=702470211&FiltreCouleur=6403&t=1

Palominoo · 01/04/2019 11:47

Oops wrong link

This

m.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350132035

lololove · 01/04/2019 11:47

Poor bugger, I understand entirely that it's a horrible way to be. I'm the complete opposite to him as I run too hot all the time. In winter when it's minus temps I'm red and flushed and visibly sweating in just cardi and t-shirt. Been followed round shops in winter because they think I'm a guilty looking shoplifter when I'm just roasting. (also health issues) it's bad enough as an adult hut as a little kid not quite understanding why he's so cold... Poor baby!

I don't have clothing recommendations as I always dress to be as cool as possible, but info know for in the house you can get heated throws that plug into the mains. And heated seat pads. And nothing is nicer than sitting under a duvet on the settee with a dvd on ❤️

Fazackerley · 01/04/2019 11:47

Boden used to do a really warm shaggy fleece lined hoodie

ChocolateCrisp · 01/04/2019 12:15

I think you need to look for good quality outdoor wear. Merino base and mid layers. Fleece. Down rather than synthetic.
Shoes with a decent thick sole. Warm socks. Boots maybe rather than shoes - if you've cold ankles then you get cold.
Hat. Fingerless gloves. Scarf - one of those buff ones. You can get thin ones, half fleece and can pull them up as a hat if need be.
Make sure coats/jackets are windstopper as that makes a huge difference.

SurgeHopper · 01/04/2019 12:17
Confused
Original poster
HalyardHitch · 01/04/2019 16:23

Ok let me add extra info for those who are doubting my parenting...

Today he had on a vest, a long sleeve t-shirt, a jumper and a coat, tights and trousers. We were outside in the sunshine and it was about fifteen degrees, maybe more. It's been warm today. He was cold. I had just a t-shirt and cardigan and was hot.

I'm asking for genuine advice. Please don't doubt me. I'm doing my absolute best with my child's medical issues and genuinely need tips - of which I appreciate, thankyou to those who have helped

OP posts:
justasking111 · 01/04/2019 16:29

Ski wear for children will be in the sales now. I would buy some base layers. I used to buy polo necks from Vertbaudet, which kept DCs warm in the colder weather.

www.vertbaudet.co.uk/boys/tops/roll-neck-t-shirts.htm

flapjackfairy · 01/04/2019 16:30

I am always cold. I use thermal long John's and vests a lot of the time. I do buy ladies ones!
One thing that makes a massive difference to me is keeping my feet warm so I wear knee length socks with wool content then thermal ankle socks. If my hands and feet get cold it takes ages to thaw out so it has to be 70 odd degrees before I go down to one pair of socks and I v rarely ever go without socks at all. Also warm slippers and boots help no end

Dockray · 01/04/2019 19:37

He may very well have something like Raynauds where the body over reacts to normal stimuli and shuts down the blood supply to the extremities. I can be in blazing hot sun but a gust of wind means that my body thinks it is colder than it is and directs blood away from hands and feet and towards the internal organs. This means my hands and feet get freezing and even turn blue/white.

Layers don't always work for me so I have battery heated gloves and socks for the coldest part of winter. The rest of the time I'll just have more layers than everyone else- it is a running joke that it is only a heatwave when I take my cardigan off. I'll wear a winter coat for 90% of the year and a fluffy underjacket as well for about 50% of the year. The smaller the amount of exposed skin the better- hats, gloves and scarves are great. I have big blanket scarves that I can wrap round me.

ChocolateCrisp · 01/04/2019 19:59

Fifteen degrees is not t-shirt and cardigan weather Shock

DailyMailSucksWails · 01/04/2019 20:06

If it were my kid... hat. And something like a snood or neckscarf, but in little kid size. Keeping head, ears & neck warm does a lot for rest of body. If he won't wear a hat, maybe he'll wear a fleecy handband that covers his ears; this helps.

2 pairs of socks, tights.

Original poster
HalyardHitch · 01/04/2019 20:08

I don't know the actual temperature but I was quite hot in the sun. I don't normally run hot so it was definitely warm. DS was freezing, despite his millions of layers. I did put his hoody hood and coat hood up, thanks to advice on here, and that somewhat helped.

I'm going to investigate thermals, etc. He was icy today

OP posts:
Original poster
HalyardHitch · 01/04/2019 20:09

@Dockray if you don't mind me asking, how were you diagnosed? We already have a diagnosis of something else but maybe he has more than one condition

OP posts:
Iggly · 01/04/2019 20:16

Is he complaining about the cold? Just wondering.

I get cold and like being warm. What can work well is a decent thin wind and waterproof coat over layers. Makes a massive difference but isn’t bulky.

Also invest in decent coats. High street stores just don’t make good enough stuff - try decent outdoor brands.

Also disposable hand warmers for emergency warmth.

Millie2013 · 01/04/2019 20:25

The Boden Borg lined hoodies are lovely
DD also has one of their Sherpa coats and it’s so warm

Dockray · 01/04/2019 20:26

I was diagnosed when I broke my arm and went for a check up. The Drs panicked as my hand was cold and blue. I shrugged and went "That's normal" and showed them the other hand which was the same. They went "thank fuck for that" and explained about Raynauds.

I find friction can be good for keeping me warm. So I tend to wear shoes that are slightly too big with tights rather than multiple pairs of socks. The slight sliding about in my boots helps keep the blood flowing. Bloody love my battery powered socks though!

Once I'm cold it is actually quite painful to move. So it is far better to stay warm in the first place. Keep him warm and he'll be more likely to move about which keeps the blood flowing. Honestly don't worry that he shouldn't need a coat- he'll soon throw it off and make you carry it if he doesn't need it. Grin

Dh is currently sat next to me in shorts and a t shirt. I'm in thick tights, long sleeved dress and cardigan. I'm under a blanket and sitting on a heat pad. The heating is on and the fire lit. I'm feeling ok but if I go in the kitchen I'll be freezing which is why dh is on dinner duty