Tips to keep your child healthy and strong this winter

1. Tips to keep your child healthy and strong this winter MetroCare Hospitals is one of the best pediatric hospitals in Kukatpally, Hyderabad. The winter season can be a lot of fun for our kids. In India, it is also a season of festivities with several opportunities for celebration and enjoyment. However, parents should note that winters can also be especially harsh on our little ones. We need to take extra precautions to protect children from the numerous risks of the winter season. In the following sections, Dr. Bhargavi Arun R, a top pediatrician in kukatpally shares a few guidelines for keeping your children safe and healthy this season.

2. The ideal room temperature During winters, we tend to spend more time indoors as compared to summers. With the use of artificial heating devices, we now have the ability to control the temperature inside our homes, up to a large extent. But this option raises the question: What is the ideal indoor temperature? This query does not have one fixed answer. The room temperature should be comfortable for the child. Maintain an ambient temperature that is neither too cold nor too hot. If your child is too young (less than 18 months of age) to communicate his or her discomfort, you can gauge if they are feeling cold by touching their hands and feet. If these body parts feel chilly, it implies that your baby is also feeling cold. In this case, you can increase the room temperature.

3. The ideal layers of clothing We all know the importance of layers (of winter wear) in this season. But is there such a thing as too many layers? The rule of thumb while deciding the number of layers is to “add one” to the number you are wearing. You should also ensure that excessive clothing is not there. Winter wear which is largely made of wool can be quite abrasive on the skin. Making your child wear too many surfaces of woolen clothing has its own risks like skin rashes and eczema. The odds of children getting affected by these risks are higher as their skin is comparatively more sensitive than that of adults. You can place a layer of cotton between skin and wool. This small step can avoid prolonged skin contact with wool and help prevent skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. When going outside ensure that the hands and feet of your children are covered with socks and gloves. Studies indicate that the body loses maximum heat from the head, sometimes up to 30%. The child’s head should also be covered with the appropriate headgear. For younger children, you can choose monkey caps that offer protection to the ears as well. During sleep, make sure that you don’t use a blanket that is too heavy, especially if they are sleeping alone. Usage of weighted blankets during sleep is dangerous for children.

4. Diet and hydration There are no specific dietary guidelines or superfoods for winters. You should feed your children healthy home-cooked food only. You can add food items that offer additional warmth. These include whole grains, wheat, rice, oats, lentils, fruits, green leafy vegetables, and more. You can choose beetroots, carrots, and items rich in Vitamin C. Dry fruits are also great for nutritional value during winters. You can also feed your child small amounts of species like garlic. For infants younger than six months, you can maintain hydration by breastfeeding or formula milk. You can increase the intake of warm fluids such as soups for older children.

5. Precautionary measures As winter approaches, the incidences of eczema, asthma, and other infections also increase. You should practice basic hygiene and follow these steps to check that your child is safe: Ask your children to wash their hands, especially before and after meals and using restrooms Give them hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available Take care of your own health and hygiene Wash and clean clothes regularly Make sure that your child’s vaccinations are done on schedule

6. Metrocare is a multispeciality hospital offering all kinds of healthcare services for your entire family. Our hospital is located in the heart of Hyderabad and we have specialized centres that cater to the medical needs of neonates, children, men and women of all ages, and critically ill patients. Founded by a group of highly successful young and enthusiastic doctors, Metrocare Hospital aims to provide world-class medical diagnosis and treatment. You’ll need to take extra steps to keep your kids healthy this winter. We’ve compiled a list of tips that can boost your kids’ immune system this winter? Click here to learn more about healthy tips. MetroCare Hospitals is one of the best pediatric hospitals in Kukatpally, Hyderabad.