10 Tips: Infants and Children/Cold Weather/Outdoors

January 14, 2009

Posted in Outdoor Recreation
Tags: cabin fever, Cold weather, outdoors, winter

 

Blame old wives’ tales for the notion that infants and children must be kept indoors in cold weather. Not so. In fact, sensible outdoor activities with kids appropriately dressed have many positive health effects for the kids. (Please go to TenTips: Winter in Snow Country at kidstraveldoc.com for tips on staying warm outdoors.)

 

Here’s what you have to know:

 

1. Cold weather does not suppress the immune system. Numerous scientific studies have attempted to link winter weather with increased susceptibility to upper respiratory infections – so far, to no avail. The likely reason that kids have more respiratory infections in winter is that they spend more time indoors. See # 5 below.

 

 2. Many children get insufficient amounts of vitamin D in winter. Researchers have raised the level of vitamin D that is considered optimum.  The sun is a good and inexpensive source of vitamin D. Most children with low levels of vitamin D reside in northern latitudes, areas with limited sunshine in winter months, and spend little time outdoors in those months.  Food supplements are another source of vitamin D.  

3.  Sun and light exposure in winter may make children happier. It does so for the sizable number of adults who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In the Northern hemisphere, the farther north you go, the higher the incidence of SAD. These adults have feelings of sadness, sometimes depression, in winter, brought on by too little exposure to bright light. Recent studies suggest that SAD also affects children.  If so, romping in the snow is the perfect antidote.

4. And then there is “cabin fever.” One definition is “a claustrophobic reaction occurring when a person is shut in for an extended period.” Whether it’s claustrophobia or not, and regardless of season, children, from infancy on, are far more upbeat when they spend time outdoors.

 

5. The outdoors is relatively free of disease-causing microorganisms. Viruses and bacteria thrive among kids crowded into enclosed areas with stale air, where kids cough up and sneeze out these organisms, rarely cover their mouths and noses, and share toys using their unwashed hands. Sometimes toddlers drool on the toys, another method of transmitting microorganisms. 

 

6. Arguably, in winter, air outdoors is healthier than it is indoors. In recent decades, outdoor air quality has improved, due to the use of better fuels for heating houses and for running car and trucks, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Concurrently, indoor pollution is worsening. Energy-efficient dwellings keep cold air out and let no fresh air in, allowing unhealthy buildups of vapors from heating units, household cleaning materials and personal care products, to mention just a few of the sources.

 

8. There’s no reason to keep children indoors in cold weather just because their noses start running outdoors. A runny nose doesn’t necessarily mean that its owner has caught a cold. Exposure to cold air alone can cause nasal congestion.

 

9. It is safe for children to be outdoors when sick. Being outdoors in cold weather does not cause, worsen or prolong routine childhood illnesses. However, if children feel ill enough to prefer to rest indoors, then obviously you should let them do so.

 

10.  Children need exercise all year round. Hibernation is for bears. In warm weather, young children get most of their exercise from merely running around outside. In winter, often, that time is spent sitting in front of the TV set. Instead, when feasible, let children romp outside in the snow.

Posted in Outdoor Recreation
Tags: cabin fever, Cold weather, outdoors, winter