Winter is near
1st Nov 2019
Those chilly mornings with the scent of dew, those shining afternoons and the cosy evenings with coffee and genial company! Now with toddlers and kids, winter comes with some troubles namely flu, cough and cold, dry skin, stuffy nose, etc.
Don’t let these spoil the pleasant winters. Here are some winter health tips to protect children from the climate change and occasional cold waves.
Washing Hands : Many of us use water sparingly for our kids during winter since it is cold and uncomfortable. Try washing your little one’s hands in warm water or with hand sanitiser before they eat as it is the main route of numerous infections.
Washing winterwear Regularly : We don’t regularly wash our sweaters, jumpers, etc during winters as it takes a long time to dry. We think that in winter there is less sweating so it will not become soiled soon. But woollen garments hold on to dust and it may lead to dust allergy and asthma. So it’s wise to wash your woollens regularly during winter.
Aerating the rooms : A closed warm room may attract more microbes than a room that has air flow in it. Leave windows and doors open for a few minutes during daytime, so that clean air can flow through the room. The UV rays are a natural disinfectant as well. Keeping the room warm instead of bundling with more layers of clothing is the right choice while putting your little one to sleep.
Choosing the right winterwear for children : As a thumb rule for dressing up kids parents should always put one more layer on children than themselves in order to keep them warm. But this also depends on the parent, the kid and the weather on that particular day. It’s also wise to put on a cotton layer over which a sweater or jacket or a full suit can be added. Make sure the outer jacket has a zipper so that it is easy for removal. Always use comfortable socks and mittens which are effective in protecting the hands and feet of your child when it is too cold. Also, a close fitting skull cap is better than the hood of a jacket as it protects the head and ears from the cold due to its snug fit.
Proper moisturising : Moisturising is the key for maintaining perfect skin health of children in winter. If not adequately moisturised it may lead to dry and parched skin. After bath, dry the body properly and apply the moisturising lotion evenly over the skin and massage lightly. Lips and cheeks are the most affected areas during winter as they are exposed to dry winter wind. Apply moisturiser for the cheeks and a lip balm suitable for children.