5 mistakes parents often make in winter... and how to avoid them to keep your children healthy!
When winter arrives, viruses spread like wildfire in nurseries, mittens mysteriously vanish in pairs, and parents switch into full-on hygiene and warmth-preservation mode. But between myth, deep-rooted habits and fear of doing the wrong thing, we sometimes make mistakes... Here are the 5 most common ones —scientifically analyzed and with a hint of icy humor.
1. Overcovering children (aka the Michelin Man syndrome)
“He’s going to catch a cold! Put a fourth layer on him!” — Well-intentioned mom, 7:35 a.m., -2°C.
It's one of the most common reflexes: piling on layers of clothing as if preparing for a polar expedition. The result: the child sweats, is hot, takes off his clothes as soon as your back is turned... then catches a cold not because of the weather but because of the humidity + chill.
🧬 What science says :
Children's thermal regulation is different from that of adults, but it works! What makes them more vulnerable is humidity, not temperature alone. Too much heat = sweating = wet clothes = heat loss = potential cold.
✅ What to do :
• Opt for the onion technique: 3 layers max (breathable, insulating, waterproof base).
• Always check the child's neck (if it's clammy, it's too clammy).
• Prefer natural materials (merino wool, cotton) which regulate well.
2. Poorly managing hand washing (too little or too aggressive)
Between the nursery flu, your cousin's colds and the collective sneezing, we understand the urge to disinfect everything. But be careful not to turn handwashing into an extreme microbial chemo session.
🧬 What science says :
Hygiene is essential, but too much soap (or hydroalcoholic gel), especially in winter, damages the skin barrier. The result? Cracked, painful hands, and... more prone to infections .
✅ What to do :
• Prefer mild soap, free of aggressive sulfates (like decyl glucoside-glucoside).
• Wash your hands before meals, after using the toilet, after going out but not 15 times an hour.
• Moisturize little hands with a rich cream free of preservatives or allergens if necessary.
🔬 What about hydroalcoholic gel?
Reserve for exceptional cases, when there's no soap or water available. And not in "spray party" mode every 10 minutes.
You can find our LiLiKiWi poster to download, to learn how to wash your hands properly , and thus help fight against winter illnesses.
3. Overheating the house (and drying out the air)
“But it’s 21 degrees and my child is cold?”
No, your child has a nose as dry as a desert and an itchy throat.
We think we're doing the right thing by heating our apartment to 24°C for comfort. But air that's too hot = air that's too dry = a perfect breeding ground for viruses + irritation of the mucous membranes.
🧬 What science says:
The ideal humidity level in a bedroom is between 40 and 50%. Below this level, the nasal mucosa dries out, viruses take hold, and local immune defenses decline. Boom: colds, dry coughs, infections galore .
✅ What to do:
• Keep the room between 18 and 20°C (children sleep better when they are cooler!).
• Use a humidifier or place a bowl of water on the radiator.
• Air for at least 10 minutes a day, even in winter.
Bonus tip:
Place a green plant in the room: as well as humidifying the air, your children will feel like they're living in a mini-jungle.
4. Neglecting the skin and lips (which defend themselves as best they can)
Cold + wind + heat = a hellish trio for children's fragile skin. If we don't moisturize, the skin tightens, peels, stings... and can even crack (hello chapping and eczema).
🧬 What science says:
Children's skin is thinner than adults', with an immature lipid barrier. It loses water more easily and reacts quickly to the cold. Lips are particularly vulnerable (no sebaceous glands + saliva + wind = chapped cocktail).
✅ What to do:
• Apply a rich, natural balm to your lips (without essential oils!). Caution ⚠️: you must use a special balm for children ! Many lip balms have cute packaging, especially K beauty, which is not suitable for children. They may contain BHT, an antioxidant and endocrine disruptor .
• Choose 100% organic products of natural origin , free of preservatives, allergens, endocrine disruptors (and of course… no petroleum-based Vaseline!)
5. Depriving yourself of going out because of the cold
“It’s 5°C, we’re staying home!”
But why? The cold isn't an illness. It's even good for your immunity !
If it's not raining, snowing in a blizzard or blowing in a Game of Thrones-style icy wind, going outside with the kids is beneficial—even (and especially) in winter.
🧬 What science says:
Moderate exposure to cold stimulates circulation, the immune system and promotes vitamin D synthesis (when there is sun, even pale). In addition, children need to move, jump, and run to develop.
✅ What to do:
• Go outside every day, even just for 30 minutes.
• Cover extremities well: hat, scarf, gloves, warm socks.
• Bring a hot drink for your return (herbal tea or homemade hot chocolate with love).
And if you're in the city, turn your walks into mini-adventures: hunting for frosted leaves, drawing on fog, or a "blow the most smoke out of my mouth" contest.
Bonus: Winter Diet Mistakes
Because winter is also the season for raclette and hot chocolate, be careful:
• Too many fast sugars (weaken immunity)
• Not enough fresh or fermented vegetables (gut = 70% of the immune system)
• Forgetting to hydrate (even when it's cold, we lose water!)
Consider eating homemade soups, fruits rich in vitamin C (kiwis, citrus fruits), and possibly probiotics if necessary.
In summary, dear polar parents:
Because a well-protected child is a child free to play, breathe, jump in puddles... without turning into a little virus on legs!
And remember: the goal is not to sterilize winter, but to learn to live in it joyfully. 🧤❄️