How to Make Your Child Invulnerable to Colds

How to make your child immune to colds

You can start hardening already on the seventh day after birth, if there are no medical contraindications. Air baths and water procedures are enough for this.

Remember that an infant needs three times more oxygen than adults - he needs to walk a lot! In summer - at least the whole day, in winter the first walks should begin at an air temperature of at least minus 5 degrees for 15-20 minutes and gradually increase to one and a half to two hours twice a day.

A baby from one to three months can be exposed to air at 10 degrees below zero, over three months – at 12, over six months – at 15.

In winter, the little ones are carried on walks in their arms to keep them warm, and then they can be taken out in a stroller. Children over one and a half years old walk on their own at least twice a day for two to three hours, if the frost is no more than 15–16 degrees.

You can take air baths at home. For this purpose, the infant is undressed and placed on a warm diaper; clothing for children over one year old is underpants and slippers. It is best to combine this procedure with morning exercises.

The optimal air temperature for newborns is plus 20–22 degrees, for one-year-olds and two-year-olds – 18–19, for older ones – 12–13. Start with one or two minutes, then increase two minutes every five days. For babies up to six months, 15 minutes is enough, for those older - half an hour, for two or three years - 30-40 minutes.

For the advanced. If you are sure that the child is sufficiently prepared, in winter he can run barefoot in the snow. The snow should be clean and lie on the ground, and not on the asphalt or concrete floor of your own balcony.

A hardened child is not afraid not only of cold, but also of heat. With the doctor's permission, after three years, he can go to the bathhouse or sauna once a week. This is an excellent hardening procedure. You need to steam and take a cool shower for approximately the same amount of time, and rest - twice as long. They start with one approach for five minutes.

It's never too late. If your child has long left infancy, but has not yet bathed in cold water, it’s time to introduce him to this. But you must set an example yourself!

For example, take a contrast shower with him (in the morning or evening, but not before bed). First, you warm up under warm water (or very warm: the child should not be afraid). Then you pour a cool stream of shower over his feet, palms and, very quickly, his shoulders and back. Then - warm water again. The procedure is repeated at least three times, ending with a cool shower. The water temperature gradually decreases.

Mild option: a cool foot bath, alternating with a warm shower at least three times. Usually, over time, children begin to demand more cold douches and even refuse hot water.

Strengthen your immunity!

As we found out, for this you need to harden yourself, and also get enough sleep and eat right. Vitamins are needed, especially A and C. They are found in vegetables, fruits, juices, and multivitamins will fill the deficiency. During cold epidemics, you can take a drug based on Echinacea purpurea (tincture, Immunal drops, etc.) or ginseng, lemongrass, aralia, Rhodiola, Leuzea, Eleutherococcus, licorice root (your doctor will help you choose).

Good luck to you, dear parents!