What Is Reasonable/extreme Cold Weather for a 1 Year Old.

Updated on December 03, 2011
M.J. asks from Minneapolis, MN
20 answers

Ok I have this dog, that gets destructive and separation anxiety if left alone for a long period of time. We have decided to stick it out with her. She if finally house trained, but will not spend more than 10 minutes outside at a time alone. I can not be out there with her. She barks, whines, digs, cries, bites the fences, and chews up the kids swings. SOOO she is strict a 90 lbs and still growing house dog. To alleviate her issues, we were advised to give her more exercise one on one. Well I live in Minnesota. So far we have not had bad weather (meaning consecutive days below zero) so far its been fairly mild. I have to take my kids on the walk since my husband has put a kabosh on walk at midnight. So now I have to do it during the noon hours. My kids are 4, 2, and 1. The 1 year old is in a stroller, and he has a snow suit on, with thermal boots, as well as hat and mittens, a warm blanket covering him. IF its windy I put up the clear plastic wind breaker on the stroller. The girls are likewise dressed. as warm as me if not warmer. No one complains about the cold but my family, and neighbors have all mentioned that I should stop bringing the 1 year old that 35 degrees is too cold. I was going on in 25 degrees and thought it was still ok. I would never take him in zero or colder of course. I feel they are unjust in talking to me about it but thought I would ask around what is too cold? He is never sick or shivering, or feel cold except cheeks when I get home. He enjoys it, never cries, and the the only one that complains is the dog, she always wants to run back home.

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So What Happened?

We were doing 30 minute walks tops. I was walking to a friends where we would go visit go in and then leave about 15 minutes later. so out of home for 45 minutes but 15 of that spent in a warm home, till the kids whine about being too warm and then off again to the house.

Our puppy is topping almost 90lbs, We saved her in August from being hit by cars, as her 2 brothers had already been. The vet originally thought she was 13 weeks but later said she was only about 7. When we asked the breed. Everyone said Australian Shepherd mixed. However last week she went in for a weight in and shes about 6 to 7 months and hit 88 lbs and you can still see her ribs. So now they are saying Great Dane, Mastiff and something like Husky. Anyway shes not active, just destructive. Barely pulls, never runs away (though some days I wouldnt mind that), usually listens well. The only time she pulls is on the walk home, and I just tie her to my waist. She kinda helps me by pulling me up the hills LOL. No one ever has overly cold extremities, no one complains so I will keep on. My neighbors that say things are elderly. Other than one other family we are the youngest in a 2 square block radius. My family members are older as well and I feel who ever said that the older generations didnt have the warm clothes we do now is probably right I agree there. Thanks every one.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Are these family and neighbors suggesting that if one lives in Alaska one would not take a one year old outside? Geez! As long as the kids are dressed warmly being outside is good for them. Not only for the fresh air but also for the exercise.

They are healthy and having a good time. I recommend that you keep doing what you're doing and tell the friends and family to stop with the criticism. Say, "I know you're concerned but I believe this is good for me and the children and I"m going to continue do it. Please do not make any more comments. I know where you stand."

4 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

You are one committed lady to that dog!! So long as he is VERY bundled up and wind isn't in his face, and his face isn't getting chapped, it sounds like you are doing a good job.

3 moms found this helpful

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R.H.

answers from Boston on

It sounds like you are taking the right steps to make sure he is bundled up and not getting whipped by the wind. I would try to ignore the advice!

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

I live in Alaska. As long as they are covered and it is not too long than even zero is fine. People get way too uptight about the cold, as long as you are not exposing flesh allowing for frost bite, the cold will not hurt them.

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

It doesn't get that cold in Seattle, but we drive up into the mountains for sledding/skiing every year. I bring and have brought out my DD in any weather so far. As long a they are bundled up, I don''t see why you wouldn't take them out (as long as it's not a blizzard, I mean).
If it's really cold just go for a couple of short walks (like 30 minutes) instead of one or two hour long ones.
There is no bad weather, just wrong clothing...

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

I took my 10 month out in a stroller to walk the dog all the time when it was cold. With a windbreaker for the stroller and heavily wrapped up kids, I'd only stay inside when the windchill is so negative it is near zero outside. Watch their skin, keep it short on cold days, and it should be fine.

Ignore all the "old folks," if the kids are having fun, then it's OK.

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D.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

It sounds like all your children are adequately dressed. Even your 1 yr old is certainly not going to get frostbite or hypothermia at 25 degrees. - To me, it almost sounds like he is OVERbundled for 35 degrees! : ) I had my babies out to play or walk dressed as you described yours in temperatures down to about 10 or 15, if I remember correctly, just not for long periods of time. If you are not out with them for more than an hour, I wouldn't worry. If when you get them home, their feet or fingers feel really cold, have them wear two pair of socks next time and make sure the boots and mittens don't have holes. Are your neighbors all elderly? Back in their day, they didn't have thermofleece and neoprene, so their generation often kept babies inside most of the winter...
Oh, and I have a question for you...How do you walk a 90+pound puppy while pushing a stroller? I know that can't be easy!

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I think the walk sounds fun. If the baby has a red nose that is cold or fingers or toes cold as soon as you get in the house then maybe he wasn't as bundled up as you thought. But for 35 degrees, that's pretty mild if the wind chill wasn't much below that.

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B.F.

answers from Minneapolis on

It is all about dressing for the weather and it sounds like you have that covered. Enjoy the fresh air and exercise you get and ignore the people who think you should all sit inside.

As far as when it is too cold, just watch your children and you will know when it is too cold for the winter gear they have. I would think the walks would have to get shorter the colder it gets until it gets to be less than 5 minutes at below zero.

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E.B.

answers from Duluth on

I'm not sure how far you're walking the dog...but I had a baby last December and she and I walked her brother to the bus stop every single day. I wore her in a Baby Bjorn or an Ergo, put my snowpants on without zipping them (over her feet) and then wore my husband's big bulky coat. I zipped it around her--but her head was definitely out--and then put a good hat on her head. We were pretty much out on all but the absolute coldest--like 40 below or really windy--days. Even some of the -30 days I think I took her out. She just didn't like the wind. Now that she's almost 1, we're going out again, and today it's 12 degrees out right now. We're out for about 10 minutes. I don't know whether your "one" is just barely one or almost 2...if you can find a carrier and a bulky coat, I'd think that might help on the coldest days. If baby is almost 2, I guess I wouldn't worry too much. Oh, i just see--30 minutes tops. I would say you could go out to at least 10 degrees without too much worry; I would let baby guide you a little too--my baby is getting chapped cheeks, which bums me out, since with two older brothers, I'd like to get out more, but I'm not sure her skin will like it.

ETA--the rule for my kids' school--including my three year old's preschool--is that temps or windchill below zero at recess time equal inside recess. So, in our area (north of you a ways), 0 is considered too cold for kids. Now, I know plenty of kids--little kids--are out playing organized hockey, or ice fishing or sledding below that, but for some of the more careful and more conscientious groups, zero is the line. But--many of those activities last more than 30 minutes...so if your kiddos don't seem to mind, I'd say you could go colder than 0 if it seems to work for you.

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

LOL 35 degrees is fine! Your neighbors are nuts. I walk and jog at as low as 35 degrees with under armor capris under long (but lightweight) running pants plus a short-sleeve t-shirt over a running tank, no jacket, hat or gloves, and I'm sweating. Under 35 I'll put on light gloves and an ear band. My kids have yet to wear anything heavier than a sweatshirt outside and will only put on pants if it's under 40 because I make them. If my kids can go outside in shirts and short at 35 (they would if I let them), your baby can be bundled in a stroller.

I think that the cutoff at my kids' schools is 20 degrees - given how bundled up he is, I think that 20 or even lower would be fine. Just keep doing what you're doing and ignore the fools who think otherwise.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Are your neighbors originally from MN?? I think 35 sounds like beautiful weather for taking out an appropriately dressed toddler. Bundled up, with a face mask and extra blanket I would think he could go out until about 10 degrees. I would just keep an eye on his face, fingers and toes.

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S.L.

answers from New York on

I think with the plastic wind breaker, he is just fine! Also he has a blanket. Time is more important. How long are you out? 20 minutes would be fine. 10 on colder days. I'd Use the 2 yr old and 4 yr old as a barometer, if their skin is too red THEY need to come in.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

Tell your neighbors they're nuts.

There's no reason why you can't take your child out when it's zero degrees out as long as they are dressed appropriately and it's not for a long period of time.

What really doesn't make any sense is out of the 3 children, the one year old would be the child I'd be the least concerned about, as he's better protected from the elements.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

It sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep the kids from getting frostbitten. Fresh air is fresh air, it's good for them to be outside. And I would rather be out in 25* weather than 100* anyday.
Pretty soon it will be too cold for you to be out with the baby.

My kids are homeschooled and have a lunch time job. There are two Puggles across the street. The kids walk the pups for $5 a day. THey end up with about $15-$20 a week which they share.
Maybe you can find a homeschool family that can walk the dog when it gets really bad. Teens dont' feel cold anyway. LOL At least mine don't.

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L.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

35...please that isn't even freezing. I would use your judgement you are the mom and they are dressed appopriately.

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A.K.

answers from Houston on

If he is in a stroller, then I would consider either getting a clear plastic stroller cover, or buy a stroller that has one - it's amazing how much the wind will chill a baby and those covers will keep him just fine.

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K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

first of all quit listening to your neighbors-if your confident your dressing your kids warm enuff-then go with it.good for you for keeping your dog an working with him.get him a big ol knuckle bone from the store-great stress reliever-have a cocker with same issues.they need something to preoccupy their attention-get another dog.i have 3..all rescues an they keep each other great company.
my kids are in late 20,s early 30,s..they were outside all the time except for extreme weather.and to this day they fully enjoy being out in the elements,hunting,fishing,snowmobiling,ice fishing etc.
they actually just won 1st prize in the aitkin fish house parade-they do their momma proud..;)
anyways you know what your doing-dont listen to ppl that are not in your shoes..good job...

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K.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

What?! These are Minnesotans, for goodness sakes! I don't know how they could possibly think that 25 degrees is too cold for a Minnesota baby who is properly bundled.

I remember when my 14 year old was a baby, on a parenting website that I frequented a mom got all upset because her MIL had taken her baby out when it was only FIFTY degrees. I laughed hysterically. My baby was outside in all kinds of weather (okay, not below zero), with tons of polarfleece to protect him, and he was happy as a clam.

Could you make some sort of joke about how they couldn't possibly be true Minnesotans, the next time they bug you about this?

C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

You are fine. We lived in Alaska for 14 years and so my son lived there the first 5 years of his life. Just about everyone takes their kids out in weather much much colder than that. You just bundle them up (like you are doing)...and go out. Your 1 year old will complain if he/she is too cold. I would take our son out in 15 below. Not for a super long time but for a bit. We would even take him at age 1 out to cabins you ski to. He would sit all bundled up in his pulk sled. We would stop often to have him walk around (if he was awake bc he often fell asleep in that thing) to make sure he was warm enough. I think it's great you take your little one out in the winter - more people should do it!

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