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

[HalyardHitch]

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?

@Iggly yes, he complains he's cold regularly (now that he knows the word cold). His hands were freezing today. And when I took him home he hadn't warmed up after his nap (under his duvet) and his legs and feet were cold.

I don't think he's icy. He doesn't often go blue or anything. Although his hands often go quite white and he's sometimes blue around his mouth. This is at times when his younger (and immobile) brother is in a vest and long sleeve t-shirt and perfectly comfortable. So I know it's him and not me if that makes sense

Please don't think I'm an awful parent. We're still waiting for hospital appointments and they aren't in a rush to support.

He definitely sounds like he has reynauds. I am sure I have it and the gp thought so too but I have never had a formal diagnosis.
As already said keep hands and feet warm at all costs ( and ankles ) because once they go cold it is v hard to warm up again.
I am going through the menopause and was quite looking forward to a hot flush or two but apart from the v odd night flush I continue to freeze.

Once I've gone cold I need actual heat to warm me up. So I'd need to be under a duvet with a hot water bottle to warm up, rather than just a duvet. As I warm up my hands often burn and go red hot. That blooming hurts.

Whatever the cause: Raynauds, naturally cool or something else, you are doing a great job in keeping an eye on what he's feeling and trying to meet his needs. Honestly don't get hung up on what he "should" need and just respond to what he's experiencing as well as sharing what youve noticed with is drs and you'll be fab. You are already one up on my mother who has only realised what it was like for her cold daughter when she developed Raynauds later in life... She has since apologised for telling me that I couldn't possibly be cold all those years

And you sound like a very lovely mum btw.

Colleague with raynaulds swears by cashmere wrist warmers to help keep her hands warm

DM wears 5 layers of clothes.

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

You need to look at what fabrics his clothes are made of.

Avoid cotton ( except for pants of course when he starts to wear them). Micro fibre would be better but I’ve not seen kids pants in this, only women’s .

Go for wool, fleece and down. So long thermal underwear( top and bottom ) made of wool or polyester. Them a long sleeved fleece t shirt as a mid layer and a top layer of fleece or wool. Down gilet and or jacket .

You can buy fleece lined trousers . Warm socks - he might prefer knee length. Avoid trainers as go for ankle boots - you can get Velcro fastening ones.

And a warm hat. Even if you think it’s too hot. I was at a garden today in Essex ( so hot and sunny ) and noticed that many of the gardeners ( fit men and women who work outside in all weathers ) were wearing knitted hats , warm trousers, boots, gilets and gloves.

It’s the wrong time of year to buy warm clothing of course ( it’s all gone in the sales ) but look at Uniqlo, Landsend and Decathlon.

You might get some thermal underwear if you search for ski wear on sports websites .

Fortunately the layered look is very fashionable for kids - l/s t shirts, checked shirts, gilets, hats, flat boots, etc all very on trend .

I have mild Reynaulds - getting worse as I age! And the key is staying warm. If I get cold it’s hard to warm up - that’s why I suggest things like hand warmers. I carry them everywhere in the winter with me!

In 15 degree weather I would be cold in what he was wearing too.

That is mild, not warm. 18-20 is verging on warm.

Just because it's sunny doesn't mean it's warm. Just let him wear a coat.

Winter: 2 thermal base layers, one merino one ordinary, tucked into socks to avoid the cold ankles, more tann one pair of socks and warm boots. trousers on top. Tights would work well. Fine for potty training. If the base layer is skin tight it feels less cumbersome and restrictive.

On top long sleeve base layers under long sleeve t shirt wool jumper, three fleeces and a wind proof jacket. A hoody fleece is good.

Buy long socks for him not ankle socks. Longer gloves if possible, make sure sleeves are not too short.

Beware though today I was too hot. ( merino base layer, t shirt, thin jumper, two fleeces) so things that can be removed.

Mountain Warehouse might be a good bet, they have all sorts of jumpers and jackets and layers that should keep him warm without constricting his movement.

I find a scarf really helps me. If I have a warm neck, the rest of me stays warmer.

Poor little mite, I bet you just want to snuggle him all the time!

These merino base layers make a massive difference.
I’m awful with the cold, I have a Rab down jacket which is not in anyway bulky but so warm, not sure they do kids ones though. Also keeping the neck cover, snood, polo neck etc. Not sure I’d advise it for kids but i often buy the heat belts/ wraps/ patches you get for backache etc and where when it’s frezzing. For winter fire drills at ŵork, I’m never without my hot water bottle under my coat.

The raynauds uk website have some children's items that may be suitable. You could always email them and see if they offer any advice on the best ways to keep warm.

AtleastitsnotMonday that's the brand I buy, they're bloody brilliant. Changed my life.

Put lambswool innersoles in his shoes, cheap in Amazon, you can cut them down to size.

I have Raynaud's and getting people to understand that I'm in pain from the slightest chill or change in temperature is exhausting! I often dress in two extra layers than my DH.

When I sleep my blood pressure plummets and I'm freezing even in the hottest summer.

My DS is allergic to the cold. He gets hives and swells up when the temperature changes or if there's extreme cold.

He's in layers and a hat all year round.

Today is was about 16 and he was in vest, short sleeves, long sleeves, zip up hoody, fleece lined trousers, thick socks, boot/shoe things. His sister was in pants and a t-shirt.

As many have said... Layers. Absolutely tons of it. Layers on the top and the bottom half.

Don't underestimate the warmth from hats (and layer them as well), wrist warmers, mittens (they're warmer than gloves). Needless to say, wear wrist warmers and gloves, maybe 2 pairs of gloves. 2 pairs of socks and tights simultaneously.

Fleece jackets are light and you can manoeuvre in them.

Also, thicker sole, fleece lined shoes. Trainers tend to be too airy.

Around the house, wear a hat and coat and if sitting down, there are heated blankets from John Lewis for about £50. And obviously an electric blanket in bed though if potty training, may need to avoid this.

Apart from my mum, I am the coldest person I know but I stayed warm despite an outdoor job this winter. Sometimes I wore 10 layers on top and 6 on the bottom half (2 pairs of socks, tights, compression tights, thermal cycling leggings, waterproof trousers).

Good luck to your son.

Im always cold. I will be in a winter coat when my dh is in a t-shirt.

Thin layers are better than one thick layer. Vest, tshirt, jumper / sweater, coat. Last week at the park while i was walkng my dog many people sAid how nice the weather was. One man even said to me ‘dare i say... the start of summer!’ I was wearing a wooly hat and three pairs of gloves.

Good slippers. I got some Moshulu ones for Christmas and they have been a game changer.

I also have raynauds. Two pairs of socks is also a must. Atm i go walking with a thin normal pair and a welly sock with my walking boots. Wellies are far too cold.

Another cold one here, yes to all the above. Can't think of any others to add, but you are a great mum for trying to help recognise this and not dismiss it.

Last summer while a lot of people roasted, I was covered in goosebumps with my fine hair standing on end as I was so cold.

My temps have been recorded in hospital with my lowest being between 30-31 (35 is officially hypothermia) I was sitting up and talking to them and it checked out on all thermometers as the first one was presumed faulty, my normal temp sits in 34/35s.

I'm always cold.
What about gloves? I wore some on my walk this morning in the sunshine!!!

Have to say, if it was windy that'd be a total game changer too

Do any of you other ice maidens on here find that you itch terribly when warming up.
I have a real problem with that and my legs in particular go bright red and drive me insane by itching ,
What's that all about ?