What to do so that the child does not get sick at the New Year’s party? 7 doctor’s recommendations

New Year’s trees, theater and circus performances can become for children not only an opportunity to have fun, but also a cause of catching a cold.

At the end of December there is traditionally a rise in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. Any mass gatherings of people will be an additional source where you can catch an infection.

Candidate of Medical Sciences, doctor of integrative, preventive and conventional medicine, nutriciologist

To ensure that the holidays are not marred by high fever and cough syrups, it is enough to follow the recommendations of doctors, include a sensible approach and do not hope for chance.

Assess the condition of the child

With a slight indisposition – sneezing or sore throat – stay at home. Do not be a hero and regret missing an important event.

Perhaps the first signs of illness and will not continue, but here it is not unreasonable to be reinsured. A weakened immune system will be an ideal environment for the development of infection.

Irina: Definitely so, an organism weakened by infection should not be additionally loaded. And a closed space with a large number of people – a potential threat.

To prepare for a series of New Year’s events, strengthen the immune system of the child throughout the year – nutritious food, nutrient supplementation as needed, timely treatment of parasitosis and ARVI.

Limit contact with sick people

On the eve of the holiday, it is worth to limit communication with friends and acquaintances who have just recovered or are still on sick leave. It is also worth reducing the attendance of large shopping centers and supermarkets.

Irina: The average incubation period for viruses is two to three weeks, so if you have had contact with someone who has subsequently fallen ill, it is important to monitor your child for 7-21 days.

Choose comfortable clothing

It’s important that the child feels comfortable in festive attire and doesn’t get sweaty or cold. If the event involves activity, it is worth wearing spacious pants and sweaters, girls can replace dresses with leggings and jeans.

Parents want that on the Christmas tree his baby was the most beautiful. But do not forget that to participate in the holiday to the child, not adults. You can listen to the opinion of children and take into account their wishes.

Take care of personal hygiene

Before the event, go over the rules again. Remind children to wash their hands after going outdoors, when entering a room, and after using the toilet. You should bring a handkerchief with you.

Irina: A huge request to parents – to use water and soap, thorough hand washing will not replace wipes and antiseptics. After active play in a circle of other children, crawling on the floor and mazes, touching various objects, it is important to promptly clean hands with soap.

Take water

The room where the party is held may be small and well heated. In this case, the child should have a bottle of water on hand to quench thirst. It may only be used individually. The rule “share with a friend” does not work here.

Irina: Water is necessary on the holiday, purified drinking water, with enough nutrients. While sweating, any person, including a child, loses salts, which need to be replenished.

Feed before the feast begins

There is no need to try to force-feed your child. But sometimes because of a strong emotional rise in children can increase appetite. A small snack of fruit can reduce the impulses of feelings.

Irina: It is better to give a snack of protein, not carbohydrate, because proteins and fats will give the necessary reserve of energy, and fruit and carbohydrates – a rise in insulin levels in the blood. Snack on nuts (if allowed), self-cooked turkey bites, whole grain breads with ghee butter.

Don’t snack on fast food at Christmas trees

Sometimes there are prepared food outlets at the festivals. The smell of cotton candy, popcorn and hamburgers makes you want to snack. Even when parents have fulfilled the previous point and the child has had a refreshment before the event.

It is better to give up the idea of buying fast food without factory packaging. The quality and safety of these foods are difficult to verify. There is no guarantee that they are hygienically prepared.

Tell the program of activities

The child will be psychologically comfortable when he knows the plan of action. Talk about what activities are planned, what he will see and what he will do.

An unfamiliar place can be frightening, against this background there is a possibility of nervousness. Keep the child calm and interested. If possible – do not leave alone at the holiday.

The most important thing is that every New Year’s event should take place at the child’s request. Do not be forced to go to all Christmas trees and have time to visit as many performances as possible. Then the mood and positive attitude will strengthen the immunity of children, and they will be less susceptible to viruses.