Winter safety: Tips to keep your child healthy in cold weather!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Winter can be an exciting time for kids, bringing great outdoor activities, but the cold weather can also play havoc to their health. During the winter months, children are susceptible to infections, viruses, colds and flu. Besides, winter sports such as snowboarding, skating and the cold weather itself can do some damage too.

However, there are many things parents can do to protect their kids from cold temperatures and keep them from getting sick. Mrs Meenal Arora, Executive Director of SHEMROCK Preschools & the Founder Director of SHEMFORD Futuristic Schools, shares some amazing tips for parents, especially for mothers, who have better quality and greater roles in taking care of their children, to keep their family as healthy as possible this winter.

Keep your child warm

Make sure that your child is covered in warm woolen clothes like cap, gloves, sweaters, jackets, etc., to keep her protected from the cold breeze when moving out of the house. Buy clothes that are of a comfortable fit and made from fabrics that keep her warm.

Also Read: Winter beauty tips and tricks - How to protect your skin and hair from the cold weather!

Winter proof your child’s skin

Moisturize your child’s face, lips, hands & feet immediately after bathing and before going to bed. Further, apply sunscreen to protect your child’s sensitive skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun before she goes out to play during daytime.

Encourage your child to wash hands

Teach your child to wash hands with soap and warm water after coughing or sneezing, before meals and snacks, and after coming back from outside. Also, instruct her to keep her hands away from her face and sneeze or cough into a tissue or her elbows to prevent getting affected from cold, flu and infections.

Promote healthy eating

Make sure that your child eats healthy. Include all the necessary vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in her diet, which are essential to boost the body’s defense mechanism. Provide your child with food items rich in Vitamin C like citrus fruits, tomatoes, melons, papayas and green leafy vegetables and also include foods rich in water content, such as spring onions, broccoli, cauliflower, peppermint, ginger etc. For snacks, provide her with dried fruits such as cashew nuts, almonds and pistachios that are full of nutrients.

Keep your child hydrated

Keep her hydrated during winters and ensure that she drinks plenty of lukewarm water throughout the day, especially before going out for play. Also, serve a wide variety of hot soups such as tomato soup, spinach soup, mixed vegetable soup, etc., along with evening snacks.

Encourage her to exercise regularly

Regular exercise is one of the best ways to boost your child’s immune system and keep her away from cold and other illnesses. So, explain to her the benefits exercising regularly and how it can make her feel more energetic during cold winter days. Ask her and encourage her to practice the exercises she likes such as walking, jogging, riding a bicycle or skipping rope.

Have fun in the park

During sunny days in the winters, take your child to the nearest park for a walk. Encourage her to go for bicycle rides along with her friends and play outdoor games. Also, conduct racing competitions for them such as sack race, relay race etc., to boost their energy level.

Encourage your child to play inside

At times, extreme cold weather restricts outdoor play activities. So, on a cold winter day, encourage her to play indoor games with her friends. Provide her with brain games, board games, art & craft activities, puzzles, etc., so as to keep her engaged in activities rather than having her sit in front of the T.V. all day.

Follow a sleep routine

Lack of sleep can have a serious effect on your child’s immune system. So, make sure that your child gets sufficient 8-Hours sleep during winters. Also, make a daily wake-up routine for your child and encourage her to follow it daily, whether it is a school day or a holiday. This is important because during the winter season, she may become lazy and tend to get up late on holidays, which may affect her sleeping pattern on school days. So, wake her up in the morning and take her along with you to the park, for jogging or warm-up exercises.

Winters can be a lot of fun for your child, particularly if she spends her time in a healthy and productive way. So, convert the dull and gloomy days of the season into fun time for your child, by allowing her to explore the natural surroundings.

At the same time, indulge her in various indoor & outdoor activities that are fun, safe and fruitful. Also ensure that all these tips contribute to the overall health of your child and make her active & fully energetic during the cold winter days.

Wishing you a season filled with warmth & happiness!