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A Pediatrician’s Winter Health Tips

A Pediatrician’s Winter Health Tips

Most parents are now deep into battling an umpteenth cold, strep, croup, flu, pneumonia, or fever in their household – but is there any way to avoid the constant germ-fights that come into the home once the school years begin? Pediatrician Dr. Katie Friedman says yes. Here are her tips;

So, the holidays are over and it’s time to start the new year. Dust off the treadmill, renew your gym membership and vow to give up smoking and use a vape with CBD vape oil instead. Don’t we all just love the new year? A fresh start, a new lease on life, and a vibrant energy to do and be better! As much as the new year motivates us to be healthier and happier, we should have similar goals for our children. The winter season is one of the busiest times of year for pediatricians, as we see a huge peak in influenza and other viruses. Here are some quick and easy tips to help promote a healthier 2017 for you and your children.

A Pediatrician's Winter Health Tips
A Pediatrician’s Winter Health Tips

A Good Night’s Sleep. Sleep is extremely important to maintaining good health and strong immunity. When our children are run down and tired, they become more vulnerable to becoming sick. School aged children need up to 11 hours of sleep. Preschoolers need a total of 13 hours of sleep per day. As we start the new year, it is time to focus on healthy sleep hygiene. Create a bedtime schedule and stick to it. If your child isn’t going to bed at a desired time start by slowly having your child go to bed earlier. We recommend starting bedtime preparation 15 minutes earlier each week until you achieve the time that you desire.

TRY: A sleep alarm clock – it’ll encourage them to stay in bed til it’s green and time to go!

Noshing on a Healthy Diet. A well balanced diet is the key to a healthy year. Certain fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients such as vitamin C and carotenoids, which can help to boost your child’s immune system. Strawberries, blueberries, oranges, green beans, and carrots contain antioxidants and phytonutrients that can help to increase your child’s production of infection-fighting white blood cells and interferons which will help them fight off illness. Children are more motivated to try new things when they are involved in the process. Let them go to the store with you and pick out their own snacks for the new year. Allowing them to become involved in their own diet will motivate them to try new things.

TRY: Freeze dried organic berry snacks for on the go. It’s hard to pack fresh fruit running around in 20 degrees, but easy to grab for a pack of ready-dried fruit.

Teach them Hand Washing. The research has shown that the most effective way to prevent the spread of illness is to wash our hands. Good hand washing habits start at home. Make sure your kids wash their hands often and with soap. They need to understand the importance of clean hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and arriving home from school. If the school allows it, have your child carry disposable wipes in their backpack for quick cleanups. It is equally important to teach your child that if they are sick, they must cover their mouth before sneezing or coughing. Good hygiene is the key to decreasing the spread of germs in the classroom.

TRY: Putting an organic hand sanitizer in their backpack to encourage in between wash spritzes, or for right after pick up before you hit a sink.

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The Healing Power of Elderberry. A lot of parents struggle with illness when their child is in school or daycare. Parents are always asking me if there is any supplement they can give their child to help prevent illness. Although there is no magic medicine to help prevent illness, elderberry has been used since the ancient times to help promote immunity and alleviate symptoms of the common cold. This can be used similar to a daily vitamin. There are many ways to incorporate this natural supplement into your child’s diet. I love the idea of making an elderberry syrup for pancakes and waffles. Please remember there are contradictions and limitations to elderberry syrup so it is imperative that you discuss with your doctor whether it is appropriate for your child to start taking this supplement. Children under the age of 1 should not take elderberry. Please make sure your doctor goes over the appropriate dosing with you.

TRY: Giving them the syrup with their morning vitamins. It’s rather sweet and most kids love it.

Dr. Katie Friedman shares her pediatric, veterinary, and fashion advice with the team over at Foreverfreckled.com.