Children are often exposed to various infections and diseases that quickly affect them and make them sick. Their immune systems are in a developing stage that helps them fight diseases, viruses, germs, and other foreign substances. Therefore, building a robust immune system becomes the top priority to keep your child’s health safe and secure.
In Winters, children might easily catch colds and fall sick due to the decrease in temperature, but you can avoid this and have a healthy winter season by following the few mentioned steps below.
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Maintain hygiene
Keep your surroundings clean and avoid exposure to an unhealthy environment. For example, wash your hands frequently and take showers every day.
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More fruits and vegetables
Children are often picky when it comes to food. Therefore, introducing them to more fruits and vegetables when they are small is essential. In addition, increasing the number of veggies and fruits has always proved a healthy booster to build up immunity.
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Play outside
We are often scared to expose our children to go out and play with the belief that they might catch a cold and fall sick, but research has found that exercise helps build the immune system that deals with foreign substances.
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Proper sleep time.
Children and even adults who do not get complete sleep can easily fall sick. Our body needs rest which is an essential aspect of healthy living. Researchers have found that children between the age of 5 – 11 need 9 – 11 hours of sleep at night.
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Flu vaccine
A little precaution is better than a cure, always. So get your child the required vaccine and stay protected while keeping others protected.
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Increase fluids
Staying hydrated in winters is essential as it is in summers. In winters, children tend to drink less water which leads to dehydration; therefore, it is necessary to make sure that children are given proper fluids – these fluids can also include vegetable soups or fresh lime juice in place of water.
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Dry fruits and nuts
Dry fruits such as almonds, dates, walnuts, raisins, cashews contain up to 3.5 times the minerals, fibers, micronutrients making it a healthier choice.
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Spices
Spices have been used in Indian households for centuries, and they have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties—spices like cinnamon, turmeric helps to treat colds and coughs.
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Avoid passive smoking
If you or your spouse smoke, maintain a far distance from the child while doing so; wash your hands and mouth before holding the child. Nicotine is hazardous to the immune system, especially kids whose immune systems are immature. Therefore it is essential to avoid smoking around kids.
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Comfortable clothing
In winters, make sure your child wears appropriate clothes, avoid underdressing or overdressing of clothes. If the baby is a newborn, make sure the first layer is cotton and the second layer is wool as a baby’s skin is very sensitive.
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Following a healthy lifestyle
Teach your kids to sleep on time, eat on time, maintain a healthy pattern, and follow it regularly.
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Massaging
It helps keep the child’s body warm and improves various skin conditions. Massaging with mustard oil or warm sesame is proven to be very effective.
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Jaggery
Jaggery can be replaced with sugar as it contains a variety of benefits compared to sugar. It acts as an excellent remedy for cold cough and even lung problems. A variety of dishes can be made with jaggery.
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Intake of Vitamin C
Oranges, amla, kiwi, and kino are all rich supplements of vitamin C. These are highly nutritious and can be consumed in raw form. In addition, it enhances immunity and helps fight common flu in winter.