Children become especially vulnerable to colds during the cooler seasons, so as autumn approaches, many parents are beginning to wonder how to prevent colds. Meanwhile, the prevention of such a pathology should be dealt with all year round. What measures will help to forget about colds and make the child more resistant to hypothermia?
How to distinguish from ARVI
The main differences between colds and viral diseases of the respiratory tract are the cause of the disease, as well as infectiousness. If a cold often develops due to a decrease in local immunity caused by hypothermia, then a virus that enters the child's body from other people leads to the appearance of ARVI.
Such differences are especially important to take into account when preventing these health problems, because preventive measures against colds should be aimed at preventing hypothermia and strengthening local immunity, and for the prevention of ARVI, more attention should be paid to suppressing the spread of viruses and increasing the body's defenses as a whole.
Breast-feeding
Breastfeeding plays a significant role in the formation of a child's immunity. With mother's milk, lactoferrin and bifidus factor enter the child's body. These substances are important for the growth of healthy microflora, which strengthens the body's defenses.
Of course, breast milk is not able to 100% protect the baby from colds, but thanks to a healthy digestive tract and a calm emotional atmosphere, the risk of a cold for the baby will decrease, as the baby's immunity will become stronger.
Hardening
One of the main factors for preventing hypothermia and related diseases is exactly hardening. However, the approach to procedures that are designed to temper a baby should be strictly individual. So, before starting any procedures, discuss the methods and scheme for strengthening the child's immunity using hardening with a specialist.
In addition, it is worth monitoring the baby's reaction - if the procedure causes excessive excitement or apathy, the approach needs to be revised. For a positive effect, it is important that the child likes the tempering procedures. It is great if the parents' lifestyle is active and the child naturally, watching them, joins in tempering activities.
Clothes and footwear
Dress the child according to the weather - do not overheat with unnecessary clothes, but also prevent freezing. Choose warm, comfortable shoes for your baby to protect them from getting their feet wet. It is also important to provide the child with a suitable headgear.
Medicines for prevention
Multivitamin preparations, as well as agents that affect immunity, help to increase the immune forces of children. However, only a doctor can prescribe such medications, therefore, before purchasing any remedy for strengthening the immune system for a child, be sure to consult a pediatrician.
Mode
A child is less prone to colds if he has his own mode of rest and active activities, meals and sleep, study and entertainment. Thanks to the rhythmic cycle, the body recovers better and learns to respond optimally to changes in conditions and stress.
Balanced diet
In the prevention of colds, the child's nutrition plays an important role, since a lack of vitamins / minerals can weaken the child's body, and some foods can strengthen the baby's defenses. Babies are advised to eat more foods rich in ascorbic acid, such as lemon tea, cranberry and black currant fruit drinks.
If you are not allergic to honey, you should definitely add this product rich in trace elements to the children's diet.
Rinsing the nose
This procedure helps to increase local immunity and strengthen the nasal mucosa. For her, it is best to use sea water, since such a liquid contains many trace elements and compounds that improve the condition of the mucous membrane.
Cleaning
By creating optimal temperature conditions for your child, you will help increase his resistance to colds. It is important to ventilate the premises regularly and do not forget about wet cleaning several times a week.
If parents smoke
Passive smoking is considered one of the factors affecting the risks of developing colds, since it worsens the activity of the ciliated epithelium and the condition of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. As a result, the child's airways become more sensitive to any stimulus.
