How to dress your toddler this fall

We’ve been here four months now and life has taken on a nice routine. During the week, Gavin and I work and Annalise goes to barnehage. On the weekends, we take Annalise to a gymnastics class (thanks, Trondhjems Turnforening!) or go on any one of the adventures we discovered pre-daycare. Hopefully we’ll do more trips like last week’s to Åndalsnes.

One thing we’re still figuring out is how to dress Annalise for barnehage. Loyal readers will remember that the importance of warm clothes was reinforced early on when we discovered that nap time takes place in an unheated shed.

We needed a lot of help, so we compelled the barnehage teacher to give us an uncommonly detailed shopping list, to the point he was clearly uncomfortable. We then took a shopping trip where we essentially gave the teenaged employee at Barnas Hus an unsupervised half hour with our credit card. I hope she got a commission.

This was only half the battle, however. We needed to master the art of layering so she’s prepared to spend an indefinite amount of time outside in any weather. Note that all these clothes were bought before the winter clothes were in stock. This is all merely fall stuff.

Layer 1: Wool base layer

Wool is the fabric of choice in Norway: it’s light and holds in heat even when wet. This is the layer that kids run around in all day when they’re inside. It’s best to put it on while eating your pre-daycare cheese.

Layer 2: Wool barnedress

A barnedress is a loose-fitting wool onesie that provides an extra layer of insulation. I’ve looked into whether you can find one for adults. I cannot.

I came close to acquiring an similar garment earlier this year at (of all places) a bachelorette party. I discovered a nicely folded but unwrapped Snuggie in the hotel closet after coming back early from the bars (yes, I’m a stick-in-the-mud). I found out when my friends got back that this was not a hotel amenity, but rather a gift for the bride-to-be. I didn’t get to keep it.

Layer 3a: Rain gear

Earlier this month was pretty rainy; Trondheim averages 23 days of rain in October and 118 hours of total sunshine, which equates to 3.8 hours per day. The playground puddles don’t have time to dissipate even on sunny days, so when it’s not too cold, a good set of rain gear is required. This includes rain bibs, a waterproof jacket, and rain boots called støvler. If it’s warm and rainy, the kids wear this anytime they’re outside.

Layer 3b: Snow suit

Recently, it’s gotten too cold for rain gear – in fact, today it snowed for the first time! It was time to break out the foxes.

Yes, her snowsuit has foxes on it, as well as a thin but comprehensive layer of mud from rolling in puddles. She also has warmer støvler, mittens that we’ve already replaced twice (the barnehage changing room, full of all these kids’ many layers, is bananas chaotic), and a balaclava, since she deems any wool hat to be too itchy.

Layer 4: Enclosed stroller

Norwegian strollers are up to the task of keeping kids warm and dry. Most are highly insulated, like sleeping bags, and allow the child to be fully enclosed. They also have all-terrain wheels that can traverse fairly deep snow. A friend was kind enough to loan us this one, which has a thick fleece seat liner and keeps Annalise cosy on our walk to school.

Many Norwegian strollers are multi purpose. This one can be used as a bike trailer or a pulk for ski trips. We’re not at this level yet.

Time for school!