It is important to ensure your children are healthy at any time of the year; however, the winter obviously poses a unique set of challenges. The weather is cold and damp, and it is a time of the year whereby everyone seems to fall ill. Therefore, you need to take the extra special steps to ensure your child is healthy.
Read on to discover some top tips that will help you during this period, as it won’t be long until winter is just around the corner.
Choose their meals wisely – Make sure your children get a good dose of root vegetables, whole grains, lentils, fruits, green leafy vegetables, and dry fruits throughout the winter months to help them combat illness.
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice – A lot of parents worry about pestering doctors, as they know they are under a lot of pressure as it is, and they don’t want to waste their time. You shouldn’t worry about this: that’s what the doctor is there for.
If you want some advice or you have any questions, all you need to do is use an online system. This is something the vast majority of health clinics offer today. This gives you the ability to talk with GPs online, and so you can ask them questions and get any help you need. This means you don’t have to worry about booking an appointment, yet you still get the assistance required and the much-needed peace of mind.
If you do not have a GP or pediatrician for your child, spend some time looking online for the best pediatricians. Choose someone who has plenty of experience and has a great reputation amongst parents. You should be able to easily find out whether or not this is the case by doing some digging online and reading reviews that have been left by others.
Clean your child’s nose regularly – You will need to clean your child’s nose regularly throughout winter, as the mucus is more likely to harden into thick crusts. Simply use warm water to wet a cotton swab and wipe the area gently.
You may also want to consider adding a humidifier to your children’s bedrooms to stop them from getting a stuffy nose, as this will add moisture to the air they inhale. For older children, teach them how to blow their nose properly to stop them from getting a stuffy nose and potentially a middle ear infection.
Cover your children’s ears – You should make sure your children’s ears are covered during the winter to protect them from the cold draught. All you need is a snug-fitting hat to do the trick.
Of course, make sure your child is comfortable and choose materials that are soft and kind to the skin. The last thing you want is for your child to be scratching their ears all day long because of a cheap and scratchy type of material.
Winter skincare for your children – You need to look after your child’s skin carefully during the winter months. A lot of people think that sun cream is only for the summer, but this is definitely not the case. The sun is still shining, even though we cannot feel it; so make sure you apply sunscreen generously whenever your children go outside.
Make sure you also apply moisturiser to your child’s lips and cheeks, so they do not get chapped, and choose winter wear that is lightweight and breathable.
If your child has any sort of skin problem or condition, the best thing to do is book an appointment with an expert sooner rather than later. They will be able to assess the skin and determine whether any specialist products are required.
Final words on looking after your child during the winter period
Hopefully, you now feel more prepared for ensuring your child is happy and healthy throughout the winter months.
Of course, sometimes there is simply nothing you can do to prevent your child from getting ill. Make sure you don’t panic; if you notice anything unusual, see a doctor as soon as possible. It is better to be safe than sorry.
There are lots of great parenting forums online if you need a little bit of comfort and someone to talk to when it comes to making sure that your child is safe and healthy during the winter months. After all, it can be comforting to know that you are not alone.