How To Keep Your Children Safe In Winters

How To Keep Your Children Safe In Winters

Every year, the onset of winter brings worry for parents with toddlers and young kids. As every degree of temperature drops, numerous health issues start to loom over the little kids. While many panicked parents stop their kids from letting out so they don’t catch a cold, some of the parents only rely on extra layers of clothing. Even though winters hardly last 3-4 months, more kids fall sick during this time than at any other time throughout the year. 

While we must compromise with the fact that kids have weaker immunity compared to adults, with the right care and nutrition, you can guard them from infections and keep your children safe in winter. In this blog, we will take you through every small detail that will help you keep your children safe in winter. 

Layering for warmth:

This comes without saying; an extra layer of warm clothing is the first and foremost thing that protects your kids from cold winter winds. Exposure to cold winds could have instant adverse effects on the health of kids if they do not wear an extra layer of warm clothes. Now, what most parents do wrong is use one heavy, bulky, warm layer of clothing that is uncomfortabl e and affects the ease of movement. 

Always divide the clothes that you select for your kids to wear into three layers. 

1. Base Layer: This is the very first layer that remains closest to the skin. Be mindful of the clothing material here, for it should be a good moisture absorbent. It is advisable to choose either a cotton or a thermal wear fabric. 
2. Insulating Layer: The insulating layer is the one that moderates the body temperature, i.e., traps and retains body heat. This layer should include down vests, fleece jackets, and sweaters. 
3. Outer Layer (Shell): This outermost layer should not only be warm but also water-resistant as well for it’s primary job is to act as a protective shield against snow, winds, or rain. A windproof/ waterproof jacket would be an ideal choice, especially during outdoor activities.  

Adequate Sleep:

Though this may not sound directly linked to taking care of children during the winter, it still plays a vital role in boosting their immunity. According to a journal by the American Psychological Society, ample sleep can actually help boost a child’s immune system. In addition to this, a sound, satisfying sleep helps the children’s bodies restore energy levels, thus allowing them to tackle the day with the same energy. 

Hydration Awareness:

Let’s begin by breaking the common myth that hydration is important only in hot weather. There are several factors that could significantly lead to dehydration in your children’s bodies, including dry air, gloves, hats, insulated jackets, and more. Ensure that your child is taking an adequate amount of fluids, for it will not only protect their sensitive skin from cold winter winds but also facilitate the transport of antibodies and immune cells throughout the body. While you set hydration alerts to make sure your children are replenishing their fluids on time, you can also invest in colorful bottles, straws, and juices to make hydration a fun activity for picky eaters. 

Skin Care Routine:

While a gust of wind in the winter could be refreshing and chilling for us, it is certainly not the same for young children. Their sensitive skin is vulnerable to various skin infections during the winter. Not only can the dry winter wind steal moisture from the skin, leading to skin dehydration, but it can also give them winter-burns. Protect the sensitive skin of your children with the following methods:

Hydration: Ensure your children replenish their fluids timely for glowing, nourished skin.  

Sunscreen Application: Apply a broad spectrum UV to the exposed areas of your children’s skin to protect them from harmful UV rays. 

Protective Clothing: Dress your children in layers to protect their skin from cold winds. Ensure the base layer that stays closest to the skin is of a gentle, breathable fabric to avoid skin irritation, itchiness, and reddening of the skin. 

Nutrient-Rich Winter Diet:

Last but not least, a diet rich in nutrients will keep your children warm and healthy from the inside. Curate your children’s winter meal plan carefully. While protective gear, warm clothes, and moisturizers protect your children’s bodies from the outside, a nutritional diet does the same from the inside by boosting immunity and keeping the body warm. Ensure that you add the following foods to the daily diet of your children:

Vitamin C Enriched Foods: Adding citrus fruits such as Kiwi, Strawberry, Orange, etc. that are enriched with vitamin C will keep your children safe from winter illnesses such as viral fever, colds, coughs, and more. 

Dark Leafy Greens: Incorporate dark leafy greens that are enriched with vitamin K, vitamin A, and iron to strengthen the immune system and contribute to the overall health of your kids.

Colorful Vegetables: Other than the seasonal green veggies, add colorful vegetables such as sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and carrots to your kids’ meals. This will provide your child with antioxidants, essential vitamins, and fibre, supporting immune function. 

Healthy Fats: Add healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, avocados, and more to your children’s diet. Healthy fats are quite vital for healthy skin during the dry winter months. 

Healthy Beverages: Include healthy, nourishing beverages such as cold pressed juices, soups, milk, smoothies, and more in your child’s diet. Not only do these beverages contribute to hydration, but they also provide comfort from the cold. 

As the beautiful yet chilling season of winter has begun, taking care of your child’s health has become paramount. The aforementioned strategies shared by Freshwey encompass a holistic approach aimed at nurturing your child’s well being, from clothing choice to fostering healthy habits. In the big picture, we should be mindful of the fact that staying healthy in the winter is not about shielding against the cold but cultivating a lifestyle that fosters resilience and vitality.

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