Looking after Kids during Cold Weather
Looking after Kids during Cold Weather – As the days get shorter, and the wind gets colder, out comes cold medicines and thermometers. Fall and winter mean ‘cold & flu season’ and they can be very hard on the little ones.
So what can we do to prevent our Kids from getting sick all the time during the winter? Here are few tips we came across and found them very helpful to us and all the parents.
Wash Hands often
It’s such a simple habit, but hand washing really does matter. Everyone who regularly washes their hands can prevent a lot of sickness being passed around, including to themselves. Ask the Kids to sing songs while washing their hands and they will love it! And always use soap and remember to wash under fingernails too: that’s where germs lurk.
Get a good night’s sleep
The body’s immune system quits working well when the body is sleep deprived. Cold weather is not the time to slack off enforcing bedtime. Most school-aged children need at least 10-11 hours each night – Babies and toddlers need even more.
Teach the Little Ones how to Sneeze
It is important to teach children as early as possible how to sneeze into a handkerchief or into their elbows to prevent spreading germs. Most kids sneeze all over everything, spreading potentially harmful germs to siblings and friends. Try using tissues made for children with their favorite character on it, so it becomes a habit.
Let the Sun Shine
We often choose to stay indoors as soon as the weather gets colder. But if it is a cold sunny day, get the kids to play outside for 10 to 15 minutes. Sun light is a good mood-lifter and a source of Vitamin D, so important to keep our immune system working well.
Wrap them Up
It’s funny the way kids can complain about having to wear coats and hats. We often hear from them ‘I’m not cold‘ or ‘Why do I have to put this on?!’. It’s understandable for the Little Ones to dislike wearing heavy clothing after having great time in their shorts during the summer! But it is important to persevere and make sure they are well wrapped up before going out: this will for sure prevent colds and sicknesses.
Eat well & Drink lots of Water
A well-balanced diet is the best path to overall health. Stick to eating plenty of fruits and veggies during the winter, and drink lots and lots of water. Drinking plenty of water during the winter also helps to shift the colds away.
Replace Toothbrushes more often
It a good idea for Grown Ups and Little Ones to replace their toothbrushes after having a cold, a sore throat or an infection. Germs can hide in the toothbrush and lead to reinfections.
Give the Little Ones Time to Recover
When a child is sick, it is important to keep them away from others, including their siblings. It’s a good idea to keep sick kids home from school and extracurricular activities. This will help them heal faster, and avoid passing the sickness to others.
