What to look out for if your child has a cold – Part 2

On precautionary measures to take while taking care of babies who are down with cold, Mathew-Akinsiku said that for newborns, breastfeeding exclusively if possible, would protect the baby.

It gives antibodies that fight germs; if you bottle-feed your baby, sterilize the bottles.

Keep formula or expressed breast milk in the refrigerator until you need it.

Warm the milk and give it to your baby right away, before bacteria have a chance to grow.

Throw out any unused portions after each feeding. Ensure you wash your hands before and after feeding your baby or when you change his diaper.

Rainy seasons are periods when parents and guardians need to take extra care in protecting children due to their vulnerability. 
Here are few things to keep in mind:

Keep children indoors when it’s raining.

Bathe them with warm water in the morning and only when necessary at night.

When preparing them for school, kit them up with their cardigan, thick and long socks with proper footwear.

Having umbrellas, raincoat and proper rain footwear is a must for your child during rainy days to protect them from getting soaked in the rain, and from being exposed to rainwater flowing in the streets, which might be contaminated with various bacteria.

Avoid stagnant water and empty or cover water containers around the house to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in them, thereby lowering the risk of your kids being exposed to illness.

Keep your surroundings extra clean, no litters. This habit will help prevent flooding, which brings bacteria-contaminated water that can be harmful to your child.

If your home is well ventilated, avoid the use of fan or air-conditioner during this period.

Make sure your child drinks only clean water. A number of diseases, like diarrhea and cholera, are caused by intake of contaminated water. Always make sure that children drink water that’s clean and safe to avoid infections and water-borne diseases.

Teach your kids about proper hand washing, it will help protect them against germs and viral infections transmitted through contact with infected people.

Seek your doctor’s advice on the right vaccinations to boost their immune system against common childhood illnesses.

Give your kids healthy foods for proper nutrition.

Healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, milk and fish will provide your children with all the nutrients they need to strengthen their immune system, as your child’s immune system improves, he’ll stay protected against rainy day illnesses.

Mathew-Akinsiku added that parents should always listen to what their children are saying. “With the hustling and bustling, 24 hours seem not to be enough time.

Being intentional and having to plan ahead each season will help families manage one another to remain healthy. 

Let them emulate good hygiene from you and make sure their hands get washed when they are back from school, before eating and after playtime.

Hands should be washed with antiseptic soap, for at least 20 seconds.

Viruses can spread through the air contact or with contaminated objects. Therefore, it’s essential to wash your child’s toys often.

Antibiotics will not help you recover from a cold caused by a respiratory virus.

They do not work against viruses, and they may make it harder for your body to fight future bacterial infections if you take them unnecessarily. 

Call or visit your hospital to see a Doctor if symptoms last more than 10 days, becomes severe or unusual or if your child is less than 3 months of age, has a fever or is lethargic.