Taking care of toddlers, ensuring their health in the winter

When the air temperature drops in winter, that's also when cold and flu viruses will appear to threaten everyone's health, not just children. There are many common winter viruses that are airborne, so if toddlers breathe in such atmospheres, their risk of respiratory problems increases.
Furthermore, most children are infected with viruses that spread during the winter before the typical symptoms appear. Therefore, it is advisable to teach children how to keep their distance from people who show signs of illness such as sneezing, coughing or sneezing to ensure that they will not be infected with bacteria and viruses. Studies have also shown that exposure to cold or wet weather does not increase the likelihood of colds in children. However, that does not mean that the child's parents can be subjective in this matter. There are some simple steps parents can take to fight off winter viruses and bacteria and keep their babies healthy.

While it is practically inevitable that a baby will catch a cold during the winter no matter how hard their parents try, it makes perfect sense for these parents to try some preventive measures The invasion of bacteria and viruses follows:
Frequent hand washing: Frequent hand washing is the simplest and most effective way to help protect the body against the attack of bacteria and viruses including influenza virus. Therefore, form a habit for children to wash their hands often with soap and warm water before eating, after going to the toilet or when returning home from outside. Mothers also need to wash their hands well, especially before preparing food, after changing a baby's diaper or after wiping a runny nose. No need to use antibacterial soaps, just regular soap and clean water is enough. In fact, many scientists believe that certain antibacterial ingredients in soaps and laundry detergents may do more harm than good. Make sure caregivers also wash their hands often. Mothers are also not afraid to remind their children's kindergarten teachers about handwashing. Teach your baby not to touch his eyes or nose. At any given time, an unwashed hand can harbor millions of harmful bacteria. When children rub their eyes or pick their nose, those bacteria will directly enter the respiratory tract and cause illness. Instead, help your child form the habit of using a tissue to wipe away tears or pick his nose when itches. If your child is old enough to go to daycare, make sure the daycare has a reasonable way of separating sick children from normal children. Many child care facilities require children with fever, flu, vomiting, diarrhea, or other infections to stay home until they are well. Baby room. Parents of children can help protect children from certain viruses and bacteria simply by making sure their children are vaccinated on time and on schedule. Boost your baby's immune system naturally by giving them a variety of healthy foods so they get all the nutrients they need. Also, make sure your child gets enough sleep and gets physical activity every day.

According to statistics, the average child gets 8 to 10 colds a year, so it is certain that they will catch a few colds this winter no matter how hard their parents try to prevent it. that happens one way or another. In that case, mothers can help the child feel comfortable until the virus is completely eliminated from the child's body. Here's a little trick to do it:
Physiological saline drops : Some people may disagree with this method, but the fact is that saline helps to thin, clear the nose and relieve the condition. stuffy nose. Make sure your child gets enough rest: When sick, the more rest your child gets, the faster he or she will recover. Even if your child doesn't normally nap during normal days, napping during illness can actually make a child feel much better. Use mist humidifiers. This is especially important at night and during baby naps. The humidified air from the nebulizer will thin the mucus in your nose, helping to soothe a cough and reduce the feeling of congestion. Make sure your child drinks enough water every day. Take children to medical facilities when necessary. While most viruses that spread in winter will clear up on their own within a few days, some can develop complications and progress to more serious conditions that require prompt detection and treatment. Take your child to the doctor if he or she has any of the following symptoms: Ear pain or facial pain (one of the symptoms of an ear infection) Sore throat Wheezing or difficulty breathing (a sign of a lung infection) bronchitis or pneumonia ) Diarrhea or vomiting, which can lead to dangerous dehydration High fever that lasts for more than three days When children feel uncomfortable, they will need more than adult attention, so in addition to preparing If you need food or sleep, give your baby hugs and more time with parents.

As children begin to get older and develop immunity to the more than 200 viruses that commonly cause colds in children, they will get sick less and less often. However, during that time, parents still need to form for children good habits of hand hygiene in particular and good personal hygiene in general.

Here are 8 tips for parents to help their children stay healthy in the winter:
Strengthen the baby's immune system: The child's immune system is further enhanced when entering the cold season and the flu the better. One of the best ways to boost the immune system is to give your baby foods and drinks rich in vitamins and nutrients. Try to incorporate some of the following foods into your child's winter diet such as beef (a food rich in zinc, which is important in the production of white blood cells), fruits that are high in vitamin C, garlic ( contains allicin, a compound that fights bacteria and infections), yogurt contains probiotics that keep the digestive system healthy. Just as a house needs extra energy to stay warm in the winter, your baby's body will need extra nutrients to fight off viruses and infections when they strike. Limit your sugar intake: Winter is filled with holidays that kids love. Unfortunately, winter festivals often feature a variety of sugary snacks that aren't good for kids. Increased sugar consumption not only weakens the immune system but also causes systemic inflammation. As a result, children who ate a lot of sugar had a higher risk of catching the flu. Try to limit the amount of sugar children eat to once per day to boost their immune system.

Make sure your child is drinking enough water. Dehydration increases the risk of illness in children. Therefore, experts recommend children should be provided with an adequate amount of water every day. Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Sleep is essential for a healthy immune system, allowing the body to heal and repair errors. If you're not sure how much sleep your baby needs, here's a quick assessment of how much sleep your baby needs: Babies under one year old need 12-18 hours of sleep each night Children 1-3 years old need 12-14 hours of sleep per night Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 need 11-13 hours of sleep per night Children aged 5-10 need 10 to 11 hours per night Encourage children to take time to relax. Between holiday parties, traveling, visiting friends and family, and shopping for gifts for the holidays, winter is a busy time for every family. While adults can cope with increased stress, children's immune systems tend to weaken in such a fast-paced and hectic life. In addition to making sure your child gets enough sleep, encourage your child to take time out each day to relax with an episode of their favorite TV show, practice coloring, playing with toys.... Give your child's immune system a rest and recovery. Change your baby's toothbrush. Many people may not believe it, but one of the dirtiest surfaces is a baby's toothbrush. Bacteria often hide under the bristles leading to infections and other medical conditions. Teach children how to wash their hands: Although hand washing is a simple step, sometimes parents with young children skip this step. Hands act as a gateway to enter the child's body, so the cleaner your hands are, the less likely your baby will be at risk of winter illnesses. Form for children the habit of washing hands before and after each meal, after going to the toilet, after touching dusty objects, garbage, animals or after sneezing, coughing, blowing their nose. Make sure your child always washes her hands with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds.

Know when to take your child to the doctor. While most children with the flu will clear up on their own within a few days, some illnesses can turn into more serious health problems. Parents need to pay attention to bring their children to medical facilities for examination and treatment in case of experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat. , diarrhea, vomiting.... Winter has come and unfortunately, they bring cold days and respiratory illnesses like flu or pneumonia. Since children are particularly susceptible to illness, parents will need to take a few extra steps to keep their children healthy during winter, including keeping them clean, dressing warm when Going out, limiting contact with sources of high risk of disease transmission....
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Parents should supplement their children with supportive products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet their child's nutritional needs. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.

Reference sources: babycenter.com, kidscountryinc.com