Children who are not old enough to walk are at particular risk of getting cold in the mountains or in cold windy conditions. You will be sweating up some steep path with the child on your back and it is easy to overlook that he is getting cold. Padded sleep suits are perfect for trekking infants, for if the weather warms up you can free their top half but keep their legs warm.

Once children are toddling they become more difficult both to entertain and keep warm. They want to be down playing in muddy puddles and are frustrated by being carried too long. Keep at least one change of clothes readily available and invest in a waterproof so that they can jump in and out of muddy puddles all day and stay dry.

Babies and small children lose a lot of heat from their disproportionately large heads and so in cold weather as well as sunny climates they need hats. Remember that when you go out in the cold, you keep warm by moving while your child may be lying still in a buggy or a backpack. A for prams/pushchairs/buggies is a worthwhile investment as it ensures the infant in warm and snug in a polar fleece cocoon which cannot slip to the ground or be kicked off.

For younger children a front carrier is a better option as the child is kept closer to mum or dad and they will keep each other warm. Wind-chill is something else to consider if you are carrying a child in a backpack. Wrap him up carefully and frequently check that he feels warm. Check out Let's go babe! - Main menu to ensure your child is neither too hot or too cold.

Young children are not good at explaining or even understanding that they feel cold so you need to watch out for unusual quietness and specific complaints such as 'my hands are cold'. Keep in mind that there is a drop in temperature of approximately 10oC per 150m you are above sea level.

Exposure to low temperatures, moisture and wind over a period of time can result in frostbite. As soon as you suspect frostbite, get out of the cold and into a warm place and seek urgent medical attention. Remove any tight clothing that may be restricting circulation, if the affected area is partially thawed, place in warm (not hot) water (102-106°F). Encourage your child to drink warm (not hot) fluids to help increase circulation and warm his/her body. Avoid caffeine and alcohol completely. Do not rub or massage the affected area and never put snow or ice on frostbite but protect the area with a clean bandage. Warm Clothing for Children

There are two degrees of frostbite:-

Superficial frostbite looks like yellowish/grey patches on the skin, especially on the ears, face, toes and fingers. The first symptoms are usually numbness prickly pain and itching, the skin remains soft but becomes red and flaky as it warms up.


Deep or severe frostbite looks like waxy, pale skin which feels cold, hard and solid to the touch. The areas turn purple or blue when warming up and large blisters may appear.

Most parents in the UK are unaware of the potentially fatal infant winter virus RSV, according to a survey released by the British Lung Foundation. The current cold snap means that thousands of children are expected to be admitted to hospital.

The BLF survey, of 500 parents with a child under two years of age, found that most (89%) were unaware of the symptoms and dangers of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), which affects nearly all children in their first few years of life. The virus can cause sniffles and cold symptoms, but for some babies it can lead to life threatening lung infections such as Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia.

Chest infections due to the RSV virus in children are the most common cause of hospital admissions, but the survey shows that less than one in ten (9%) parents are aware of this, with the highest percentage (47%) wrongly believing that meningitis is the biggest cause of infant hospital admissions.

Premature babies are at high risk of developing severe respiratory illnesses due to RSV infection, yet less than one in ten (7%) of parents were aware of this. Children with pre-existing lung conditions are also at high risk yet only one in ten parents knew this.

The lungs are relatively late to develop so babies born prematurely are more likely to have lung problems. More premature babies are surviving because of continuing medical advancements but many of these babies still experience lung problems throughout their life because of prolonged artificial ventilation at birth.

Professor Warren Lenney, British Lung Foundation spokesperson said, ‘‘RSV affects nearly all children at some point in their early years so parents need to be aware of the symptoms and to know when they should seek medical attention, particularly those whose babies have been born prematurely. The British Lung Foundation has a paediatric nurse available to talk to on the BLF Helpline (08458 50 50 20) for parents who have any concerns about children’s lung diseases.