Thermal Underwear

[debster]

Does anyone know where I can get some thermal underwear, i.e. leggings, socks, vests etc for a 2 year old boy? Also some really warm mittens.

We're spending a week over the New Year in North Wales and plan to go cycling with ds. As he'll only be sitting on a kiddie saddle on Dad's bike I'm worried he'll freeze as he won't be moving around much. He will also be positioned in front of his Dad which means he won't be protected from the elements at all. Any ideas Mumsnetters?

Don't know about the thermals, but make sure he's got good waterproofs (a suit, or trousers and top). In our experience of walking and cycling with kids this is really important for keeping the wind out (not just rain) and keeping the warmth in - wind chill is a really big factor. We're also spending New Year in North Wales, in an unheated (except for one log fire) farmhouse and I've just bought dd (who is just 2) some lovely thick salopettes in the Gap sale. She looks a bit like the Michelin man in them, but if she stays warm and therefore happy that's all that matters.

M&S do some children's thermals, although I don't know about leggings. We used to live in a very cold house and I dressed my toddler boys with tights under their trousers and extra socks on top. Tights are cheap(ish) to buy - my boys are grown up now and can't believe they used to be decked out in red and yellow and blue cable patterned tights!! Fleece mittens and hats would be cosy. Layering seems to keep them warmer than one thick item, so maybe two pairs of mitts, and a hat, with a scarf wrapped round would help. Have a lovely time in Wales at New Year - I'll be thinking of you, up here in chilly Scotland!!

I swear by fleecy trousers. It is easy to forget to layer the bottom half as well as the top half. Fleecy trousers fit over normal trousers and they are so light, comfortable, and easy to dry out if a touch of cold water splashing comes into the equation. More that this and you'll need waterproofs.

However, I have found the shops devoid of fleecy trousers at the moment. Boden do some by mail order.

Also, two layors of socks is a good idea - and carry a spare pair in case feet get wet.

Don't do what I did - my then 2 year old was wailing mournfuly on a cold beach in Devon for apparently no good reason. He was wrapped up to the nines. I told him to buck up and dragged him back to the car looking daggers at him.

It was only when I undressed him that I discovered the cause of his angst. Underneath his coat, his arms had been uncomfortably encased in two layors of sleeves tightly rolled up to his shoulders. No wonder he was cold and uncomfortable.

Since then I've always checked his wrists to make sure all sleeves are properly pulled down.

Debster - I put a pair of girl's woolly tights under my 19 mth old ds's trousers on very cold days to keep him cosy. Infact, he had a pair on today of dd's (age 3-4 yrs) and they went right up to his armpits - Hilarious but very warm!

All my boys wore tights under their trpusers and now wear salopettes. YOu can often find them 2nd hand ( just got my 3 3/4 son some Osh kosh Bgosh I'm posh for £4 !!! well chuffed and he loves them! I don't think the children's clothes shops in the high street provide suitable clothing for kids who go out for more than 10 min at a time!

If you live near a Snow and Rock, they do fantastic thermals from age 1 year up, they do all in one thermal plartec suits. like a babygro! My 15 year old wanted one to sleep in!!

In fact any ski shop should have them, they also do lots of thermal lined mitss with no thumbs to fiddle arouand with!

Thanks for all the tips guys. BTW what are salopettes?

Good idea about ski shops Alibubbles. We have a few of them in Brighton, although they do seem to cater more for your snowboarder than skier! I shall have a scoot around this lunchtime.

Salopettes - sort of like padded dungarees.

H&M do salopettes and all in one padded suits. Bought salopettes for ds, lots of padding, most of all they wash really well.

He too looks like the michelin man, but a red one.

Thanks for explaining what salopettes are! I had no idea. They sound like just the thing.

Didn't manage to get to the ski shops yesterday - but we do have an H&M kids here so I shall have a look today.