Keeping Your Kids Healthy this Cold Season

It’s November and that means everyone has been back to school for a few months now, and has been exposed to plenty of germs and now the weather is starting to change. Which also means that your house will inevitably be hit with colds, if they haven't already. Here are some natural ways to combat colds:

TO PREVENT COLDS:

1. A Good Multivitamin- I have my kids on the best children's multivitamin available which is Shaklee's Increditives. My kids love these!  They are actually the first children’s chewable multivitamin in the U.S.with lactoferrin, which helps kids’ immune systems stay strong.
Most kids consume more than 25% of their calories from junk food, and French Fries are the number one vegetable source in their diets.  What is your child’s diet like?

Studies show that kids who consume diets lacking adequate nutrition perform poorly in school.  Poor nutrition can negatively impact a child’s immune system, bone growth, and overall physical development!

 

Incredivites are packed with 23 essential nutrients – with 600 IU of vitamin D to support strong bones and teeth, and 100% of the Daily Value of all eight B vitamins and vitamin C.

• No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives added
• Naturally sweetened with xylitol, which does not promote cavities
• Gluten free
• Packaging is safe from BPA, phtalates, and toxic inks – and it is recyclable.

I give my 6 year old 2 chewable Incredivites a day and my 3 year old gets one a day crushed up and added to applesauce, or you can also crush and add to drinks.

Here is a short video that talks about the Shakleekids products.

*if you need gluten and casein free vitamins try The Ocean Wonders Vitamins


2. DHA-
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid and is a major building block of brain and eye tissue.  Adequate intake early in life is vital to proper brain and visual development and to ensure the cells of the brain, retina, and other parts of the nervous system develop and function properly.  Foods that are high in DHA are things like tuna, sardines and organ meat…not really foods high on a kid’s list! :)
Mighty Smarts is 100% natural, ultra-pure DHA.

Mighty Smarts are gluten free, have a natural orange flavor, and contain no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives. Just one Mighty Smart a day is all you need!

3. Vitamin C-
Vita-C Chewables are formulated to make daily supplementation a simple pleasure for children and adults who have trouble swallowing tablets. Tangy,citrus-flavoured source of vitamin C helps build strong bones, cartilage, teeth and gums. Your body can't make or store vitamin C, so it is important to eat this powerful antioxidant often.

I give my kids 1 chewable per day as a preventative. When they are sick, I will give them 2-3 a day.
If you need to you can crush up and give in applesauce.

4. A Healthy Diet-
Feed your kids a well balanced diet that is organic as possible. Now we all have our days when we hit the fast food line for a quick dinner, but I really try to stay away from there as much as possible. When you feed your kids crap, they feel like crap! So try to feed them the healthiest food you can get them to eat as often as you are able to.

5. Sleep-
Everyone needs a good night's sleep! Infants need 15-16 hours a day (including naps), Toddlers 1-3 years old need 12-14 hours a day (including naps), Preschoolers 3-6 years old need 10-12 hours a day, School age kids 7-12 years old need 10-11 hours a day, and teenagers 13-18 need 8-9 hours a day. Sleep is a vital to every one's health and well being, so make sure you and your kids are getting enough!

6. Hygiene-
Be sure to wash hands when you come in from outside, when you come home from being out, before you eat or prepare foods, and after you blow your nose. I go one step farther and change clothes after the kids come in from playing outside (allergies) and especially when we come home from a doctors appointment. My favorite hand soap is Shaklee's Hand Wash Concentrate and dispenser, this super mild, sudsy wash has wheat germ oil and algae extract to moisturize; soy protein to condition; aloe, marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), and linden flower (Tilia cordata) extracts to soothe; and rosemary and arnica extracts to energize and it has a mild refreshing scent. Stay away from soaps with triclosan as it has many adverse affects on your health.

 To Combat Colds-
Once the cold or flu bug hits, here are some ways to combat it naturally and help you get back on your feet sooner.
 
1. Vitamin C-
Vita-C Chewables are formulated to make daily supplementation a simple pleasure for children and adults who have trouble swallowing tablets. Tangy,citrus-flavoured source of vitamin C helps build strong bones, cartilage, teeth and gums. Your body can't make or store vitamin C, so it is important to eat this powerful antioxidant often.

2. Humidifier-
 Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night- this helps to keep the air moist, making it easier to breathe.
My favorites are the Crane humidifiers. Be sure to clean them properly once a week.

3. Elevate your head-
Prop mattress up a little under your head- try sticking a pillow under your mattress directly under where your head lies. This help with keeping drainage going down, not up into your sinuses.

4. Saline-
Flush out stuffy noses with saline. I stock up on the little noses non-medicated saline drops. Since it is just saline you may do this as many times as needed. Helps thin out mucus, making it easier to breathe. Also for little ones, who are not able to blow their noses yet, it may be helpful to get a nasal aspirator (or as we call it in our house- the nose sucker)

5. Stay Hydrated-
Drink plenty of fluids and eat lots of healthy food like fruits. Try to get some chicken soup down too!
Our favorite hydration drink is Shaklee's Performance Drink.

6. Honey-
To help soothe scratchy throats and coughs try some honey before bedtime. Honey has many antioxidants that can help you fight off the cold faster and because it is thick and sweet it helps coat and soothe the sore throat from coughs. It is best to let kids cough during the day to get the mucus up, but when coughing is keeping them up all night, when they need rest try some honey. For kids ages 2-5 try 1/2 tsp, ages 6-11 try 1 tsp, and ages 12-18 try 2tsp.

DO NOT GIVE HONEY TO INFANTS UNDER 1 YEAR OLD- may cause a rare, but serious case of botulism.

I usually give my kids honey mixed in with something they like, usually I mix it with a little applesauce and warm it for 3 seconds in the microwave so its goes down smoother, you could try to add the honey to some warm (not hot) water.
http://suite101.com/article/honey-may-be-best-cough-medicine-a169827

6. Clean-
I find it helpfully to change the sheets everyday or at least every other day to get rid of the germs quicker (can be hard if you are the one sick). I also will run  every one's toothbrushes through the dishwasher and replace them after illnesses. And clean and disinfect with soap and water and vinegar. Keep in mind to do all door handles, phones, computer keyboards and also remote controls- you know the items every one touches all day, but you never really think to clean.

Here's to a happy and healthy fall and winter!


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