The cold winter winds are finally here and along coming the season of cold, flu and viral fevers. This winter be the smarter one to go all guns blazing to keep your little ones safe. Here how to wage the winter care war to keep your child happy and healthy through the winters.
Dress smart: Get your kids to wear multiple layers of thin warm clothing, that way they can remove one layer at a time if they get too warm. Additionally, thinner layers help keep the heat within and keep the child warm. The neck, head, ears and nose should be appropriate covered depending on how cold your home and surroundings get.
Eat right: Try and get your kids to eat while the food is still hot. Soups, warm milk etc work well to keep the kids all warm and comfortable. Kids tend to feel hungrier than usual due to the winter cold so ensure that you have adequate healthy snacks handy to keep their hunger pangs at bay.
Moisturize: Winter season means dry winds which dry out your child's skin. Use a rather heavy moisturizer after baths and multiple times a day. One can use coconut or olive oil both of which contain a good amount of vitamin E and healthy fatty acids good for the skin. Use small quantities and rub till it is completely absorbed in the skin.
Hydrate: Children tend to drink less water during the winter which leads to dehydration and dry skin amongst others. Ensure that your kids drink adequate water by keeping filled bottles of water handy and making a game out of drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day if not more.
Screen from the sun: Winter sun can be harsh on your child's skin. Always use a good sunscreen with a good amount of SPF to keep your child safe from the harsh winter sun and to prevent skin drying and darkening.
Bathe right: Kid love long hot showers during the winter months. Hot water is not good for your child's skin since it rips off the oils in the skin and dry it. Get your kids to have short baths with lukewarm water and immediately moisturize after coming out from the shower. Change your stop for a milder version since soap dries the skin.
Wash your hands: Viral fevers, cold and flu etc. spread rampantly during the winter months. Most infections can be prevented with a simple habit of properly washing hands often with warm water and soap. If soap and water are not easily available, then make it a point to use a hand sanitizer to keep the hands clean. Take extra precaution for hand hygiene during winter months.
Keep the feet warm: Make sure that your kids wear warm socks for most part of the day and the winter shoes have enough space for their toes to wriggle. Wearing socks at night when sleeping helps too. If it snows in your place of residence, then ensure that the wet boots are taken off right away. You can use an electric blanket to keep your child's bed and blanket warm too.
