Tips for Winter

I have twin toddlers and I've been here in United States for more than 5 years. I learned so much during my stay here and how to keep healthy during winter days. This is a very hard task for moms of infants, toddlers and school going kids. When my girls were one year old, I didn't take them out much and so they were ok during winter. when they were two, they started going to school and thats when the problem came. Since that was their first exposure to cold weather and they started getting cold, cough, fever and most of all wheezing. During that time, its better to keep the kids in fluid diet. Make sure they drink lots and lots of water. If you plan to make fruit juices by yourself, then go ahead and give it. If you plan to buy from store, make sure those doesn't have any preservatives or artificial flavors. Also getting a flu shot is good for kids. It protects them from getting influenza which affects their health very badly. Also getting enough rest is good during winter time. During winter, make sure you get enough vitamin C. Try to take fruits and veggies which are rich in Vitamin C for ex: Mango, orange, gooseberry, lime, lemon, etc instead of taking supplements. Also keep in mind that excess of Vitamin C has its own disadvantages. My husband always tells me to wear layered clothing during winter. Its always better to keep you warm. While sending the kids outdoor, dont forget to put hats. Some of the common things you should remember during winter days are:

• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
• Clean your hands often.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home from work when you are sick and check with a health care provider when needed.
• Practice other good health habits, such as getting plenty of rest, managing your stress level and drinking plenty of fluid.