Winter Health Tips for Children

Each season needs care and winter health tips are more important with kids and the elderly. Winters are undoubtedly a festive and fun filled time for all due to the holiday season. Coming from the city of Dehradun, I have grown in extreme winters and I am not a winter fan at all. The season comes like any other season, comes with its own set of problems and winter for kids means more probability of Infections and thus, each parent needs for winter care tips.

Winter for kids with the rising pollution levels can be horrible unless the right winter health tips are not followed. Whether the child is a newborn baby, a toddler, a preschooler, or a school going kid, they can enjoy the winter season. There are pediatric instructions and home remedies available to ensure the winter is an only thrilling ride. In winter, when the temperature drops down outside, we need to keep our bodies warm. As a mother, I feel that if we take care of a few things and follow some easy winter health tips, then winter will be more entertaining for the kids. It is better to get prepared for the winter before it comes.

(You may like to read, Air Pollution in Delhi: Natural Ways to Keep Kids Safe)

Below are some useful tips for the children as the winter is getting colder and colder.

Healthy and appropriate food

Whatever is the season, we need good food to stay healthy. Parents would need to focus on adequate nutrition during this time of the year. Parents would see the change in mood, appetite, and sleep in kids during winter. These are the five essential vitamins required to stay healthy in winter.

1. Vitamin D: Can be found in fish like Tuna, mackerel, salmon, and some dairy products like milk, cheese, egg, and mushrooms.
2. Vitamin C: In the winter season, we can get fresh fruits such as apples, pears, pineapple, strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, pomegranate, kiwifruits, etc. Most of the parents think of avoiding citrus food in winter, but it contains Vitamin C, which helps kids to build immunity power.
3. Vitamin A: Orange and yellow vegetables, and fruits such as apple, apricot, banana, sweet potatoes, carrots.
4. Vitamin E: It is an antioxidant. It is found in the following foods
   1. In vegetables, cabbage, cauliflowers, green peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, turnip greens, and other leafy greens butternut, squash, sweet potatoes, and other root vegetables should be included in their diet.
   1. Vegetable oils, nuts such as almonds peanuts, seeds (sunflower seeds), green leafy vegetables, breakfast cereals, fruit juices.
5. Folic acid: Spinach/leafy greens, beets, tomatoes, cereals and beans are other very good sources of folic acid. Kids are usually not fond of vegetables like beetroots. However, you can try easy easy and healthy beetroot pancake recipe which most kids will love.

For vegetarians, a lot of fruits, vegetables, and soups, lentils, stews will keep the body warm. Starting a day with a hot breakfast like oats porridge is excellent. Kids should always be given warm and fresh food as far as possible. Water keeps body functioning and helps regulate internal temperature. So .it is necessary to increase the fluid intake and stay hydrated.

(You may like to read, Should you give Yoghurt to Toddlers in Winters?)

Proper warm clothing

Whether they will stay inside or go out to play, winter clothes are essential. Always try to choose warm and comfortable clothing for kids while shopping for winter clothes.

In India, the houses are also very cold and thus, kids need to be well clad indoors as well. A common problem is the kids refuse to wear socks and slippers. There are some nice warm slippers available these days in cute designs, which are loved by kids and they wear them without any problem. A very important winter health tip is that the child should be dressed in layers rather than one thick later. The latter restricts their movements and thus, they do not like it too much.

Winter for kids is easy when they are dressed well and their hands and feet are kept warm. It is ok to dress the child in one extra layer than the adults wear. Still each child is different and as parents, we need to observe what they like.

Skincare Tips

In winter, the skin becomes dry, itchy, and irritated. Skin care is essential as a part of winter health tips for kids.

• Apply a good moisturizer and use sunscreen. Petroleum jelly or glycerin is the best. Apply it right after the bath while the skin is still damp. It will retain the moisture of the skin. I also use oil after bath and then finish with a good amount of lotion.
• Limit bath time and use only warm water, avoid harsh soap while bathing.
• The heated air inside the house can make skin dry. Use an excellent humidifier to increase moisture.

Immunization and vaccination

Immunizations protect kids from many diseases and also prevent the spread of those diseases to others. So always get the kids vaccinated on time.

Discuss with your doctor and figure out what vaccinations are needed. Get them vaccinated every fall or winter. It will protect them from cold, fever, flu. Pediatricians recommend flu vaccine every winter.

Other preventive measures:

Other than all good food, clothing care, parents should practice their kids’ good habits every day like

• Hands should be kept clean and must be washed regularly. In case of non-availability of water and soap, a good hand sanitizer should be kept handy with kids.
• Always advise covering mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing.  Otherwise, it will spread to others. Keeping hands away from the face or nose is suitable. Stay away from those who have a cold or cough or any symptoms of flu.
• Help them get enough sleep. Keep a routine for sleep time. Make a good habit of going to bed early and wake up early. Let the kids sleep better in a neat and clean atmosphere.
• To keep their minds engaged indoors due to cold outside engage them in games, crafts, puzzles and board games.
• Planning play dates with kids is a good option. They can spend time together while they are at home.
• While out, keeping a water bottle with them is good.

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Winter is not as horrible as it is described. It is a season for festivals. In the west, thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year come during the winter season only. It is a season of festivals, and a way of nature communicating us to be thankful for life. It is a precious gift from God, and we all need to take care of it. Life becomes enjoyable only when the body is healthy, so why not care about it properly and enjoy life to the fullest? Following some winter health tips is going to keep the kids healthy and let the family enjoy the season.