4yo Dd won’t wear anything covering her legs

[MrsKoala]

Dd refuses all tights, leggings, trousers etc. Has done for the last 2 years but it wasn’t so bad as she was in her cositoes and at home/inside all winter (because of the cold leg situation she never wanted to go to the park or walk). But now she goes to preschool and is clearly bloody freezing.

This is not new to me as my older 2 have sensory issues and point blank refuse to wear certain clothes at varying points. We’ve tried everything bribery, punishments, natural consequences etc but she (they) won’t ever be moved.

So after searching all day for a long thermal petticoat/slip underdress for a 4 year old (she won’t wear anything round her waist so only wears dresses) I am desperately wondering if any of you know where I can buy one or have some made? I also need over the knee socks for her but can only find up to under the knees.

If you can suggest a a warm under slip and long socks I’d be very grateful. Thanks.

Would she wear dungarees? Or overalls. If you sew or know anyone who does there are a good range of patterns by made by jacks mum that could work.

Try dungarees as they have no waist??

These any good?

Or maybe thermal socks in normal weight and leg warmers?

Pics would help.

As for dresses what about the oversized jumper/hoodie style ones that have a fleecy lining?

Could you get some sort of thermal longjohns? Those wouldn't have a waist but would sit under her skirt? You could try looking for kids skiwear or outdoorwear from Canada/USA where it gets much colder than here, so there are more layering options?

Clothing made from bamboo is super soft and easy on the skin.
I'd try and keep her torso and head warm which will help her feel warmer even if her legs are bare. Plus warm feet.

If you’re in a Muslim area many shops now do ankle length thick winter quality western maxi dresses or wide palazzos. DN has sensory issues - can’t stand anything touching her legs - but will wear palazzos.

Like these

Next do over the knee socks in all sizes, my daughter prefers them to tights. Pack of 2 for £3/4. I ordered some welly socks from them today but only saw grey over knee socks - I’ll have another look thanks.

Is she actually cold? unfortunately yes, she cries because she is so cold. She won’t get out of the buggy and play or have fun at the park or walk because of it. We tell her to put bottoms on and she agrees but then the moment we put her foot in she starts hyperventilating, and screeching too tight and writhing on the floor kicking her legs and scratching. If I ever get something on her with threats and bribery she just removes them the moment I leave the room. She seems to want to try but can’t bear it.

This is the first year we’ve had her in a coat, last year I only managed a cape and wool dresses. All her friends would be in jeans and leggings and warm jackets and she would be shivering next to them like a Dickensian urchin.

Elisheva- thanks for that website I’ll have a look later.

WitchesBritches - I know!she was four 2 weeks ago. Ds2 was 6 in August

Oh Graphista - I like that idea. I will look at Scottish shops.

RandomMess and Soan- no to dungarees. Her main 2 issues are things round her waist and material round her thighs and it rubbing together. She also isn’t keen on things under her armpits sort of restricting her move,ents.

I have a picture of her when she was 2 wearing wellies, bare legs, pants, a long sleeve top and a woolly hat. With blue lips and standing in a puddle at the park. She would cry I’m so cold and then refuse any clothing. People walking past would tut at me and shake their heads. In the end we stopped going to the park.

That's a shame my DC wore baby legs when little stayed up really well.

Lots of dance wear shops will sell leg warmers in children's sizes. I would do knee high socks and pulled up legs warmers over the top.

What about wearing a nightie as a thermal layer under her dress? Like a thicker version of a slip/petticoat

If you can get sleeveless soft stretchy summer dresses they would be like the petticoats I used to wear as a child!!

Hi my dd has SPD so I completely understand the stress it causes.

Has she had OT involvement? They can suggest ways to desensitise the skin, we were given a special sort of brush and dd had to brush her skin every day.

I think I would keep trying with different trousers as well, dd refused most trousers but would wear some very soft boden ones (although was constantly asked if she was wearing pjs )

My dd is now 14yo and lives in black leggings but will very occasionally wear her one pair of jeans!!

This probably isn't what you want to hear but our 7yo remains this way. This morning off she went to school in socks. 3 degrees. I'm still trying to get tights to work but so far not so good.
My dd will wear thermal fleece leggings, the ones that are 'fluffy' on the inside. Apparently these aren't itchy
She will choose a skirts and socks over trousers or tights any day.

@MrsKoala I’m not the same level, but I’m the same about under the armpit. I either tolerate wrist length sleeves or if not it has to be completely sleeveless. So a vest type top and then a cardigan over. Cap or short sleeves irritate and hurt me where they sit. So I wear a tank/vest top and cardigan all winter or a long sleeve top. I can’t wear jeans or anything but found an adult company that does tights by width and I size up several sizes and have similar leggings so that works for me with loose all stretch skirts. But I appreciate that’s way in the future from what she can cope with now. You sound a very caring patient mum

Meant to say our school uniform has over the knee winter socks maybe try uniform online stores? We also manage to get girls over knee socks on eBay.

Try contacting a wahm that makes clothes. One that pops into mind is bblb. I'm sure you'd find some that could tweak patterns so you could have longer dresses and the like

Thermal nightie?
You could sew a simple flannelette shift

That is called a Wilbarger brush for desensitisation I think

Let her be. She’ll not die from cold legs.

Thanks all. I will go thru all the suggestions and links when she’s at preschool on Monday. I’m not very patient unfortunately I’m really frustrated and worried she’ll be freezing. But I am a veteran of this type of thing so I have to deal with it. I’m a work with things rather than bulldozer thru them type. My mum has told me to smack her till she wears them as that’s what she’d do to me - nice But that is my mum’s frustration too.

We haven’t spoken to any OT because actually other than this and not going to the toilet, or sleeping we haven’t had any major issues like we had with the boys. I am thankful she has no issues round food and is a great eater.

Thanks again. I knew you guys would have great ideas.

@MrsKoala how do you actually have 3 proper DC with the youngest at pre-school I'm sure you just had baby#2 last year...

Are there any kids clothing shops near you which sell Spanish children's clothing? They tend to do over the knee socks, usually with bows and frills but they can easily be removed if they cause an issue