People often ask me how I’m coping with the Finnish winter – so far, so good. Frozen days? So novel. Long hours of darkness? So restful. Piles of snow? So magical. Dressing a child? Kill me. Seriously.
Dressing tip sheet from daycare
When the mercury hit zero degrees celcius two months ago I panicked and wondered what on earth to dress Miko in. But with a few tips and pointers along the way I felt quite confident sending him off today, with the forecast sitting at a high of -12°c and a ‘feels like’ of -19°.
Sunny, with a chance of freezing
As many of you will know, the secret is: layers. And what I have found even more useful is: all-in-ones. For weeks we’ve been struggling with too many bits and pieces, which leads to Miko flopping around like a non-compliant jellyfish and arguments and grumbling from both of us. I also suspect it might be where he learnt his new favourite word (starts with f ).
Layer one: thermals
Until this morning, a typical outfit for Miko consisted of: undies, singlet, socks, thermal leggings, thermal top, fleece leggings, fleece top, then outer overall pants and jacket + hat and gloves and boots. And if it rains? Rubber overalls and jacket and rubber gloves over that. Because even waterproof gear can’t protect from a child kneeling in puddles and scooping water up with their hands.
Things like socks and thermal underwear come in different wool / polypropylene ratios for when the weather is 0 to -10°c and -10° and below. Gloves come with woollen inners or some people wear a thin woollen glove beneath a padded mitten.
Layer two: 100% wool suit
After some advice from a teacher I bought Miko an all-in-one wool suit for when it gets below -5° and an all-in-one snow suit. So today he has on: undies, socks, thermal leggings and top, wool suit, snow suit, balaclava and gloves.
The balaclava might seem over the top, but when you’re out in these cold temps and the wind is blowing it doesn’t take long before you find the weak spots in your outfit. All-in-one suits eliminate chill factor down your butt crack and around your kidneys.
Today when I dropped Miko at the park (because they start the day outside every day until it’s below -15°c) the teacher commented that his boots were not the best. I’ve been sending him in fleece-lined gumboots thinking this was the final frontier in winter footwear. She showed me that most kids are wearing warmer, gore-tex boots that are lighter.
What about when it’s cold and wet? I asked (because I ask the stupid questions so you don’t have to). It doesn’t get that cold and wet, she replied. Once it’s below zero, all water freezes and the snow is dry. Of course! Science.
Layer three: snow suit and gloves
So I’m off today to buy some better boots and then I think we’re set. Although it’s going to get warmer again tomorrow so unfortunately we’ll be back in a wet world of slush.
I’m obviously still fumbling my way through this winter get-up thing so any tips or comments are welcome. Thankfully I find shop staff incredibly helpful, especially when I say it’s my first winter here.
Made it!
My biggest tips to you for dressing a child in winter are: allow at least 15 minutes and always ask if they need to pee first. Any time spent on dressing can be made up on a day like today by delivering them to school via sled.
Hey Helsinki 
LOVE your work… and love seeing all the pics of beautiful Miko, and hearing your voice through your writing… xxx
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Thanks Noms xxx
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oh, wow! as if dressing up a small kid was not already difficult enough!
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Yes – thanks for understanding. Have you had to do this in any of the countries in which you’ve lived?
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Russia was the coldest, but, frankly speaking, we’d rather stay in doors or go out for very short walks when it got below -15 🙂
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Oh man, I cant even begin to imagine! The toilet rushes… And if you are too slow removing all the layers. I am surprised you haven’t had any accidents yet!
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You could put the mitten ends under the ends of the snowsuit sleeves so that his wrists won’t get cold. That’s how I did with my children when they were small.
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That’s a great idea, thanks Sari!
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Hello! I came here through design sponge!
Being a local it’s interesting to browse through your blog and read your thought’s about Helsinki! 🙂 Dressing up the kids is a headache for us too! But you got to keep ’em warm 🙂 I usually buy get a warm snowsuit and add a woolen layer when it goes towards or below -10’C, warm shoes are a must and it’s always a plus if they’re water repellent too! 🙂 But it’s tricky, especially when it can be freezing in the morning and when you pick them up all the snow is replaced by puddles!?
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Hello, thanks for your comments. Sometimes I wonder if we are the only ones struggling to get dressed so it’s nice to hear we are not alone. I had Miko in his wool suit when it was too warm and he came home sweating so it’s also good to read when to use them. And I totally agree with your last sentence – we can go from ice – snow – slush – puddles fairly quickly! I think it’s funny too that on wild days like today (icy rain, strong winds) I leave him with the teachers in the park and then hurry home to get warm and have a cup of tea! It seems so unfair. ; )
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Hi Melanie, as a mother of two I so liked your post and your struggle for less struggling every morning that I decided to follow up on my own blog 🙂 keep warm! and don’t give up! I know, you won’t!
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Kiitos Aleksandra – I’ll check out your post ☺️
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Ha, ha, someone else living my life…Thanks for sharing the pain! https://maplesyrupandchocolate.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/winter-gymkhana/
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We are living the same nightmare. Although you are doing it with twice as many kids. When summer comes I want to throw all our hats, scarves, gloves & socks in the rubbish bin!
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Welcome to the club! I think we are finally off the hook here in Toronto…it’s about time!
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Hi, great post 🙂 I was wondering if you could give me some suggestion: we were thinking to bring our son to see Santa in Lapland in December…now, he will be 20 months old. We live in Ireland, so it can get cold, but last time we had anything below -10C was 2010 and the baby was not here to experience it 🙂 DO you think it would be too much for such a small child? Or covering him in all these layers should suffice? If so, do you have some online shop that you could recommend, so I am sure to buy the proper quality items? Thanks a mill 🙂
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Hi, well I haven’t been to Lapland in winter so I can’t really say but I imagine that like Helsinki you’ll find everything very warm indoors. Although we had a mild winter last year we did have some very cold days, the coldest being -18. Will you be outdoors much? Are you planning on doing things like husky rides or reindeer rides? You may find being out in the wind much colder than anything else. Check out http://www.reima.fi/en for good quality clothing and I’d also highly recommend visiting the FB page – Expat parents in Helsinki. You can post questions there and people give great advice and tips. I think you can definitely do this trip, I’m just not sure how best to advise you. Have fun and safe travels, Mel.
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ahhh those were the days (living in Finland).. Lapland is gorgeous in winter even at -40. Layers are key, even as an adult. I am loving the wool suit! What is the name brand of it and I am wondering if it can be found in North America. Kiiti, Josie
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I can’t remember sorry & he’s now outgrown it. I bought it at Jesper Junior if that helps!
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Well this might be a stupid question, but…
I’m going to Helsinki next week
I’ve bought synthetic baselayers/ long underwear but not sure they will work properly as on top I’ll wear a cotton shirt, wool jumper and parka/ down jacket, bottom will be jeans.
Will the baselayer still work or is it pointless?
brgds
Peter Ting-Saelges
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It will still work but to be honest you’ll probably be too warm. The temps are hovering around 0 C this week. Unless you’ll be outside for extended periods, everything you mentioned minus the base layer will be fine. Bring gloves & a hat & the base layer just in case, but every store, cafe, bar & apartment is heated so you’ll be fine. Enjoy!
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hi
thanks for the reply:)
brgds
Peter Ting-Saelges
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Pingback: Dressing your baby for the Finnish winter - Compass Psychology
Great blog Mel! I have quoted you on our webpage to help mothers of newborn babies dress for the Finnish winter for the mothers group we are running in Helsinki.
Thank you,
Annabel
https://compasspsychology.fi/2019/01/24/dressing-your-baby-for-the-finnish-winter/
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Great website!
Thank you for sharing the information. We are going to Helsinki with a 2 year old in March. It would be great if you could please give me some names of shops that we can buy warm things for kids (wool one piece, snowsuits balaclava hat)? It’s hard to get good warm winter gear here. Thank you.
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Thanks, It won’t be that cold in March so I would wait to see the temps before you buy. A good outdoor suit and hat may be enough. If you visit Kamppi mall or Forum, you will find many kids clothing stores there. Best, Melanie
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Lovely. Thank you for replying to my question Melanie. I will see how cold it gets. Just a bit stressed out about clothing as it never gets that cold in winter here in Aus. Cheers
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Totally understand. It’s so warm indoors though (including public transport) that you won’t need to wear woollen items as you may be too hot indoors, unless you plan on being outdoors for long periods. There are great indoor playgrounds if the weather is wet or windy (eg HopLop) and if your child is in a stroller, they and you travel for free on public transport. Safe travels!
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Thanks 🙂
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Thank you for the useful information. That’s great.
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Hi.
We are going to Lapland this December and I was wondering what kind of goretex boots did u end up buying. There’s just too many options. I bought a Sorel for my petite 3year old and I didnt realize that it would be too heavy. Thanks.
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