How To Combat Back To School Bugs #CP

The start of a new school year is a busy and exciting time for any family! The household is finally back in a routine and the festivities of Autumn are coming at us fast.  

Unfortunately, the start of the school year also brings unwanted guests… germs and illnesses. Schools and nurseries are rife with germs and bacteria, leading to pesky illnesses, including common colds, coughs and sickness bugs.  

As any parent will know, there’s nothing worse than having a poorly little one. In this article, we share our top tips for combatting back-to-school bugs. 

Encourage Good Hygiene 

Teaching good hygiene from a young age is crucial to building a strong immune system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became more evident than ever that hand washing is super important at all ages.  

And considering how many surfaces children touch throughout the day, it is essential that you encourage good hygiene. This includes regular and correct hand washing with soap and covering the mouth when sneezing and coughing. 

Practice What You Preach 

Good hygiene is just as important in the home as it is in school. When your little ones burst through the door after a busy day of learning, remind them to wash their hands and change out of their uniform (which may carry germs and can be wiped down with antibacterial spray).  

To combat spreading germs through the home, you should also ensure your kid’s school lunchbox/bag, reading bag and water bottle are thoroughly cleaned each day. 

Fuel The Immune System 

A strong immune system is much better at tackling bugs and protecting your child. You can do many things to help your child’s immune system, including providing a healthy balanced diet.  

Unfortunately, this can be challenging if you are raising a picky eater, but it is essential that your little one is eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein and probiotics.  

Fruit and vegetable smoothies are a great idea for kiddos who complain about the veggies on their plate. Similarly, blending veggies up into a sauce for meals is a great way to add more to each dish. 

Reduce Sugar Intake 

Sugar. Kids love it. (Adults love it). And reducing it is TOUGH. Unsurprisingly, sugar isn’t great for us. It suppresses the immune system and feeds nasty bacteria in the gut. Perhaps limit sugar to weekends only. 

Consider Vitamin Supplements 

All children aged 6 months to 5 years should have daily supplements containing vitamins A, C and D as recommended by the UK government and NHS. Multi-vitamin supplements can be continued past the age of five too! They are available from most shops and pharmacies. 

Spend Lots Of Time Outdoors 

Enjoying at least 30 minutes of outdoor play can help your little one boost their immune system and fight off nasty bugs! Outdoor play encourages physical exercise, provides an opportunity for natural Vitamin D intake and can help your kids sleep better at night. Getting plenty of sleep will also contribute to a healthy immune system. 

Be Prepared 

As a parent, we do everything in our power to keep our children healthy. Unfortunately, even the healthiest of children can catch back-to-school bugs. Be sure to have the “poorly essentials” to hand if you think your little one is getting sick, including a thermometer, tissues and medicines. 

Photo by MART PRODUCTION: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-mother-caring-for-her-sick-child-7641242/