3 Tips to Combat Seasonal Illness
A new season is slowly approaching!
Seasons allow us to accept change and embrace the new in all things. While some of us are living for the leaves falling and the wind blowing, the rest of us are in hideout mode not ready for this change and dealing with what is yet to come. While fall can be SO beautiful and exciting, it can bring a lot of unwanted viruses upon us. As parents, it is important to be prepared to do what you can to combat these illnesses not only for yourself but for your little one as well! We are so excited to announce that we partnered with Laura Vanston, DNP from Inspired Pediatrics to give you the best information for this blog. Laura’s healthcare service is Colorado based, high- quality virtual care and innovative parent classes, she is a rock star! Below, we listed 3 things you can do to help your child combat this change in weather and stay away from the runny nose.stay as healthy as possible this fall!
1. Be Mindful of Nutrition
No, but seriously! Vitamins are so important to include into your little’s diet and make such a difference. Did you know that certain vitamins and minerals play a big role in immunity and fighting infection? Some of our favorites nutrients are Vitamin D, C, and all B vitamins (especially B12!), zinc and calcium. The good news is that most of these vitamins can be found in foods that you are feeding your baby already, so no need to spend a fortune on supplements! Another reason to focus on food: our bodies absorb nutrients much better from foods than from a vitamin. If you are needing ideas on recipes to include these vitamins in your meals or just want more information on each one, the best resource is our new Nurtured Foundations Course! It has an entire cookbook for recipe ideas and one of our favorite functional nutritionists, Christine Muldoon, that gives you the inside scoop on the true purpose for each vitamin.
2. Rest
I know it sounds basic, but sometimes we forget how important something like sleep is! Sleep deprivation for just one night has been shown to decrease antibody counts (and therefore our immune response!). So when there is a lot of illness around (or if your child is fighting something), put aside the busy schedule and allow extra room for rest. This may mean extra naps or an early bedtime, especially if their sleep is disturbed from coughing at night. If your little one has a hard time sleeping or hasn’t been napping like normal, don't be afraid to let them rest a little more than usual. Babies aren't as capable of listening to their bodies and getting the rest they need when we do not allow them to do so. If your routine is a little different for a day or two, you have my permission slip to know that it is okay! You can worry about their sleep routine after they are feeling better. A few extra days of rest might mean fighting off a virus more quickly or not getting sick at all. Throwing an extra nap or rest time is better than having your child be sick for days. Rest looks different for everyone, so do what you feel is best because no one knows your child like you do!
3. Fluids
During the summertime, it almost feels like staying hydrated is second nature. The warm sun is beating down on us and we know that if we aren’t full of fluids, the dry heat will get to us and dehydration comes in! If you are anything like me, when cooler weather comes around we often forget that we still need to be pumping fluids through our system. We may not feel the need for fluids as heavily and can end up dehydrated!. Hydration increases blood volume and improves lymphatic drainage (which helps your body remove waste and foreign invaders!) If your child has mucus, hydration also thins secretions which makes them easier to cough up or clear from their airway. I want to remind you to not forget to stay hydrated! It will only weaken your child’s immune system and make recovery of an illness longer. Try your best to get them drinking just as much as you were in the sweet, summertime!
Throughout this change in seasons, know that feeling your best 100% of the time is rare. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself and your child the best you can. Occasional illness might be inevitable, but they do come and go, so do your best to put these 3 tips to action to have the healthiest fall possible!