It’s that time of year when the viruses are out in full force and just about everyone in the family seems to be catching the dreaded cold. It can be a nightmare taking care of little ones when they’re sick, so it’s time to start taking simple steps to ensure our kids don’t come down with the bug. I’ve made a handy list of my top tips for keeping little ones healthy over winter, and hopefully it will build your confidence for battling the germs at this time of the year too.
Wash their hands
It may seem obvious, but when your kids are running around at playgroup or school they may forget to wash their hands as often as they should. Make it a priority to wash your hands before meals, and if they are really little demonstrate by going to the sink with them and showing them how to do it. By washing your hands all together as a family it will slowly become the routine.
Make sure to also include washing hands after using the toilet, playing outside, petting animals or any time they cough or sneeze into them. The NHS has released a handy guide on how to wash your hands correctly, so read it through with your kids a few times and they’ll soon know exactly what to do.
Bring out the vitamins
It’s now common knowledge that children under the age of five need to be taking a multivitamin that contains vitamins A, C and D every day. Vitamin D only occurs in some foods, and during the winter when we have fewer days of sunshine children can start to lack this essential vitamin. You can find multivitamins in both tablet and liquid form at any pharmacy or supermarket. It’s not a guarantee that taking vitamins will prevent a cold, but it’s definitely beneficial to their immune system.
Wrap up warm
When the temperature starts cooling down it’s important to wrap your children up warm. Hats, gloves and scarves are all essential items, as well as kid’s winter jackets. If you need to invest in a new seasonal wardrobe for your little ones, the selection of winter coats from Tu at Sainsburys includes a huge range of both boys and girls items. From puffer coats to quilted jackets, make sure they’re securely zipped up before you head out the door. For toddlers, go old-school by sewing mittens to their winter coat – you’ll thank me later.
Get enough rest
Not getting enough sleep is the number one cause of being susceptible to a cold. In fact, research suggests that people who get less than seven hours of sleep a night show higher levels of inflammation in their body – and that goes for children and teens as well. To help kids boost their immunity for the cold season, make sure they are going to bed at a decent hour and get their recommended 10-12 hours of sleep a night.
Do you have any other tips for helping your kids get through cold season unscathed? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Touch wood we’ve not done too badly for colds this year so far – there’s still plenty of time though, and some great tips here 🙂