It is that time of year when we start to dig out our sweaters, jackets and coats.  My daughter was one year old last year so I really did not take her out much when the weather was bad or too cold.  Since we live in the South, we have a few cold days and a lot of wet days.  This year we will be spending Thanksgiving in Denver, Colorado, so we will have to actually buy winter clothes.  Since I never bought winter clothes for my daughter, I thought I better do a little research. 

I like coats or jackets that do not restrict your child's movement.  We all know how much kids squirm and like to run around.  If my daughter cannot move the way she wants to move, she will be squealing right along with the squirming!  These coats also need to keep your child nice and toasty.  Babies and toddlers can suffer from hypothermia very quickly if they are exposed to low temperatures.  Also, with this crazy flu season we are having we want to make sure our little ones are kept warm and dry. 

Hats are another great winter outfit must.  Hats come in many different colors and shapes.  There are some that have big pom-poms on the top.  There are some that tie under the child's chin and cover the child's ears which mean these are doing double duty for you.  The child does not have to keep pulling his hat on and his ears stay nice and warm.  A lot of kids do not like to have anything on their head for some reason or another, so I would buy something that my child absolutely loves.  You can either purchase their favorite character on the hat or buy one that is bright and fun for your child.  I have to tell my daughter repeatedly how cute she is and then she is sure to keep the hat on her head.  I guess we all have to do whatever it takes to keep them safe and warm at the same time!

Another great purchase is a pair of mittens.  I thought my daughter would never keep a pair of these on her hands.  I was pleasantly surprised that she loved wearing them.  Mittens come in all kinds of colors and designs which are sure to please even the pickiest child.  I did not realize there were so many kinds of mittens.  There are mittens that go all the way to a child's elbow.  Others have breathable liners and of course waterproof mittens, which can help your child enjoy the snow all the more. 

When it comes to winter socks, I really did not know that there was a huge difference between the different types of materials.  Cotton socks, if when wet, just stay wet and keep your child's feet cold and wet.  I would purchase socks which are made from wool, fleece or some similar type of synthetic material.  These types of socks are excellent for winter wear because if they get wet they do not lose their insulating properties.  Since these types of socks are far thicker than a cotton sock, they will absorb more moisture. 

Winter boots are another must if you live in a snowy region or if you live in a rainy, cold region.  Winter boots are waterproof, extremely warm and usually have a removable liner.   Winter boots also come in an array of designs and colors which are pleasing to a child's eye.  There are adorable pink boots with sparkles and snowflake designs for the girls.  The boys may like the different colored camouflage styles or just plain black.  Of course, you can always purchase solid colors which will probably stay in style much longer.  However, we all know how quickly a child's foot tends to grow so he or she will probably need a new pair each year until they stop growing.