Aibu to ask seriously… how to keep warm!

Biscuits1011 · 2022-12-09T11:52:20+00:00

we all know the cost of living is hitting people hard. We’re on prepayment metres, landlord insists on them. Rent privately through an agent so can’t make any major improvements to the house. It’s badly insulated but landlord won’t do anything about it, it’s rated E so legal. Got 2 very young children. We can’t afford what it’s costing to heat our home. £60 a week on gas alone! Have heating on an hour morning; 2 in evening and an hour in the day. I’m on maternity, so home with the baby all day long. It’s so cold. I could go back to work early but Im off on full pay so wouldn’t make a financial difference! People suggest hot water bottles… blankets heated throws ect but that’s ok when I can just sit on the sofa… not when I have to run around after a toddler and have a baby to look after. We have layers on.. but it’s so cold unless the heating is actually on! its all open plan downstairs also, so can’t contain heat in one room either. Honestly I’m so worried about the cost, but also it’s so so cold right now 😞

MyBoatOrYours · 09/12/2022 11:58

Are there any heated places you can go for a bit such as the library or toddler groups? Even a walk with a double buggy with the dc wrapped up and snuggled in cosy toes might be a way to be warm for that hour you're out moving in your winter gear. It's awful being cold and hard to manage with two little ones at home and the cost is ridiculous atm.

Nevermind31 · 09/12/2022 11:59

Spend as much time as you can elsewhere? Library? Museum softplays? Indoor playgrounds?

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 09/12/2022 12:01

When you say open plan, are there arches or anything delineating the room that could have a curtain pole and curtains attached to it? If so then I would try to use curtains to separate off a living room space that would be easier and cheaper to heat.

Otherwise heat from within with hot drinks and food. Beans on toast for lunch instead of sandwiches, warm squash or milk for the kids. Wristwarmers are fab for keeping your hands warm without getting in the way of doing stuff, the same for snoods, the basic premise is that keeping the pulse points warm keeps the rest of you warm. I always find if my neck, wrists and feet are warm I feel OK.

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:03

We do a toddler group once a week but it’s not overly warm there to be honest!
we do walks but my youngest is a newborn so can’t stay out for too long as don’t fancy feeding baby out in the cold 🥶Can’t go in anywhere as toddler won’t sit still for any length of time.. no point taking her to a cafe for example or a library as it’s more stress than it’s worth her into everything. Not even any soft play here that we can spend the day at! Just so cold and fed up

OP posts:

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:05

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 09/12/2022 12:01

When you say open plan, are there arches or anything delineating the room that could have a curtain pole and curtains attached to it? If so then I would try to use curtains to separate off a living room space that would be easier and cheaper to heat.

Otherwise heat from within with hot drinks and food. Beans on toast for lunch instead of sandwiches, warm squash or milk for the kids. Wristwarmers are fab for keeping your hands warm without getting in the way of doing stuff, the same for snoods, the basic premise is that keeping the pulse points warm keeps the rest of you warm. I always find if my neck, wrists and feet are warm I feel OK.

no arches… just open plan. The kitchen dining room and living room is all just one big room. That is an interesting idea though.

OP posts:

TiAmoTiAmo · 09/12/2022 12:07

Wear layers (2 thermals, one top, a jumper, a gilet that sort of thing), socks (double up or if you have thick hiking ones or wool even better) and lined slippers (ankle boot type), fingerless gloves and a hat at home.

NewToWoo · 09/12/2022 12:08

Real wool and layers of synthetic fleece are by far the wramest. If I have a thermal tee on with a wool jumper and a fleece dressing gown or blanket - cloak style over those, I feel so warm I don't notice the cold - and that's with a static desk job in an unheated house. Make sure your feet are really warm - thick socks and warm slippers, ugg-style boots (Primark do very good cheap ones).

You could add a hat and fingerless gloves.

Make sure the baby has a warm hat on and really warm socks - maybe several layers, maybe tights under lined romper suit or snowsuit - as long as they don't block circulation.

Keep moving about - a 4 minute HIIT workout can keep you warm for a couple of hours.

I also always open the oven wide after using it, to let the heat out into the kitchen.

During the day, try to spend time in some heated places - lots of churches now have warm hubs open to everyone, you could look for story or singalong time in libraries - usually free, and mum and baby groups, playgroups and church toddlers' praise sessions - all of which should be in warm places with hot drinks for adults, at little or no cost.

Eat hot food - porridge, soup, noodles etc rather than sandwiches during the day.

CaptainMum · 09/12/2022 12:08

There have been loads of toddler groups on that are reasonably cheap, in warm buildings. My two little ones basically wear snuggle suits over their clothes in the daytime at home. Sometimes a hat. We put the heating on to 15/16 in the morning and evening, but no higher. And off once the children are in bed at 6pm. I find doing jobs in the evening I stay warm anyway. It's tough, but not impossible.

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:09

TiAmoTiAmo · 09/12/2022 12:07

Wear layers (2 thermals, one top, a jumper, a gilet that sort of thing), socks (double up or if you have thick hiking ones or wool even better) and lined slippers (ankle boot type), fingerless gloves and a hat at home.

Believe me I’m wearing layers! But my toddler won’t keep all that clothes on. She’s in a nice Wooly jumper trousers and socks… but she’s still cold and so am I. If I put on anymore clothes I won’t be able to move

OP posts:

trampoline123 · 09/12/2022 12:10

Can you move?

We rent and the flat isn't great at keeping in heat but we have 2 young babies so just keep the heating on when we need to.

I am keeping an eye out for better places as our plan to buy is on hold for 3years and things aren't going to get better in terms of cost of living any time soon.

CaptainMum · 09/12/2022 12:11

@Biscuits1011
Is your toddler wearing slippers? Good rubber or leather soles make a difference. And boots rather than open ones. I go for light layers- the onsie, rather than thick so they can love and play with ease.

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:11

CaptainMum · 09/12/2022 12:08

There have been loads of toddler groups on that are reasonably cheap, in warm buildings. My two little ones basically wear snuggle suits over their clothes in the daytime at home. Sometimes a hat. We put the heating on to 15/16 in the morning and evening, but no higher. And off once the children are in bed at 6pm. I find doing jobs in the evening I stay warm anyway. It's tough, but not impossible.

Not loads of toddler groups here! And definitely not in warm buildings I can assure you. The evenings arnt too bad as can keep warmer easier. We don’t have the heating on at all at night. It’s the day times… it’s just unbearable right now.

OP posts:

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:13

CaptainMum · 09/12/2022 12:11

@Biscuits1011
Is your toddler wearing slippers? Good rubber or leather soles make a difference. And boots rather than open ones. I go for light layers- the onsie, rather than thick so they can love and play with ease.

No she has slippers but won’t keep them on much unfortunately.

OP posts:

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:14

trampoline123 · 09/12/2022 12:10

Can you move?

We rent and the flat isn't great at keeping in heat but we have 2 young babies so just keep the heating on when we need to.

I am keeping an eye out for better places as our plan to buy is on hold for 3years and things aren't going to get better in terms of cost of living any time soon.

Been desperately trying to move for almost a year, no where to rent comes up round here that’s in our price range, we have been looking for a long time.

OP posts:

onmywayamarillo · 09/12/2022 12:14

You could pay for insulation to be put in? Cost £200 for us to do a giant loft. £18 per roll from b&q. Ideally your landlord should pay for this, but maybe if you organise it they'll pay you back?

Or try the your elec co they do it for free if you are on any benefits.

Our local library is great with toddler mornings free tea/coffee etc.

Cheesuswithallama · 09/12/2022 12:16

60 a week is a lot for just that times of heating. Is your boiler REALLY old like 15+ years? Because in that case electric flat heaters might actually work better

Starlight86 · 09/12/2022 12:18

Is there anyone you can ask for help? Parents? To give you money to afford heating across the winter.

I know if i had the money i would hate to think my children & grandchildren are sitting freezing, i would be more than happy to fund it whilst i could for my children.

Im really sorry you are going through this OP, it actually breaks my heart to hear and know that millions of people are in the same position.

trampoline123 · 09/12/2022 12:23

I'm finding that too!

ShirleywasaLady · 09/12/2022 12:30

Put blankets over the windows - we used to do that as children when our house got cold and it made loads of difference. (Admittedly, we didn't have double glazing, so not sure if it makes as much difference in a more modern house...!). Also get some draft excluders (or fill up old pairs of tights with old rags etc) and put around any doors - particularly your outside door.

If your living room is particularly cold, go upstairs. Heat rises and upstairs is usually slightly warmer. Plus presumably your bedrooms have doors, so you can shut yourself in one of the bedrooms and make it cosy and play up there rather than downstairs.

AdoraBell · 09/12/2022 12:30

Our heating isn’t working, 12 degrees upstairs and 15 downstairs. I’m currently wearing jeans with tights and socks, plus thick socks. Vest, T-shirt and sweater. Dressing gown. When I sit down I have a blanket. Willy hat too when temperature dips.

Extra layers in bed, thick socks and fleece blanket under the duvet.

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:32

onmywayamarillo · 09/12/2022 12:14

You could pay for insulation to be put in? Cost £200 for us to do a giant loft. £18 per roll from b&q. Ideally your landlord should pay for this, but maybe if you organise it they'll pay you back?

Or try the your elec co they do it for free if you are on any benefits.

Our local library is great with toddler mornings free tea/coffee etc.

we could pay to do that, and then the landlord decides to sell his house or something… we can’t make improvements on a house that isn’t ours. Not improvements like that. Also we do not have £200 to pay for it. We are not on benefits, well just child benefit.

no parents that are in a financial position to help us. Wish there were.

OP posts:

Original poster

Biscuits1011 · 09/12/2022 12:33

Cheesuswithallama · 09/12/2022 12:16

60 a week is a lot for just that times of heating. Is your boiler REALLY old like 15+ years? Because in that case electric flat heaters might actually work better

Yes boiler is 13 years old. But again it isn’t ours… so we can’t do much about that. Can we?

OP posts:

Nirvanarama · 09/12/2022 12:36

I'm also at home running around after a toddler. I put a hot water bottle inside my dressing gown and strap it to myself using the belt, portable warmth 😁

AdoraBell · 09/12/2022 12:37

Woolly hat not Willy hat 🤣🤣🤣

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 09/12/2022 12:38

Tie your hot water bottle to yourself by tucking it in to your dressing gown and tying the belt round.

Wear wrist warmers, or chop the fingers off some old gloves for use inside if you don’t have any. Keeping your wrists warm helps, and having your fingers out makes it much easier to actually do things.

Use a sling or carrier around the house for the baby which keeps you both warm (not at the same time as the hot water bottle, but you can use your dressing gown over the top of your baby carrier easily enough) Also use your carrier to keep warm on walks when you are out and to feed while you are moving to stop you sitting in the cold.

Tights for the toddler under the trousers, bodysuit and fleece all in one over the top.

warm drinks and warm meals.