5 Easy Tips on How to Protect Your Kids from Illnesses in Winter
Winter is harsh for everyone but when it comes to toddlers or infants, they are the main victims. As the bone-chilling weather is prevailing all over the country, it could be difficult for you to take care of your little ones.
Little ones have a hard time to regulate their body temperature than adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the younger the child, the smaller the ratio of the body mass to the body surface, which means more heat escapes from the skin.
In order to protect your toddler or infant from getting sick, make sure to follow the tips.
Cover Your Baby with Layers of Blanket
When it is cold outside, you have to make sure to pack up the little in several layers of blanket and clothes. Stick your hand inside your baby’s clothing in order to check if it is too hot. Take one layer off, if this is the case. Moreover, overheating may cause heat rash which is also possible in the winter time. Give a dab of low dose, over the counter hydrocortisone for a couple of days. It is a medicine and not any kind of ointment. Make sure not to give over a long period of time.
Vaccinate Your Child
Babies need to be vaccinated from three to four months and again between 12–13 months. If you have completed the series of vaccination, your little one is safe from a range of illnesses including a cough, mumps, tetanus, polio, pneumonia and many more.
Make sure to vaccinate your child at the time given by the pediatrician. Follow the schedule and take it along where a nurse will sign it and record the batch number of the jabs.
Get Some Sunshine Everyday
If your baby’s immune system is strong, he/she would be able to fight off any infections and viruses. In order to keep them healthy and ensuring optimum level of their system, make sure to feed them proper minerals and vitamins.
If there is any deficiency, it will directly affect their immune system. Vitamin D is one of the key vitamins. Sunlight is a good source of vitamin D. When it’s winter season, the sun gets dimmer and vitamin D level tends to drop. Make sure to spend 20 minutes out in sunlight with your baby.
Keep Hands and Surfaces Virus Free
Washing hands and cleaning the surfaces would help during the winter season to avoid transfer of germs. The RSV virus, which is the main cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia can stay on your skin for 30 minutes. Moreover, the kitchen counter or a hand towel can stay up to five hours.
Make sure to wipe surfaces, wash your hands and lessen the use of towels for drying your hands. Especially, when you visit a public space, try to wash hands before touching the baby.
Feed Your Baby Healthy Food
Healthy food that is full of proteins and vitamins can keep them away from getting sick. If your baby has started eating solid food, try immune booster foods such as Applesauce with cinnamon, chicken stock, and pureed carrot and avocado.
If your child is seriously ill, don’t hesitate to visit a Pediatric Urgent Care. It can offer timely treatment to your child without waiting for long hours or booking an appointment.
The board-certified physicians and pediatrician will offer timely treatment at affordable cost. The Urgent Care Walk-in clinics are also opened on weekends. Make sure to visit them during the opening hours and get proper child treatment without worrying.
Dr. Faika Khan is a family medicine doctor and founder of UrgentWay in New York and is affiliated with NYU and Plainview Hospital.
