Your child is sniffling, sneezing, and fatigued. Is it a cold or the flu? While you can always visit the pediatrician for a more definitive answer, here are some clues as to which illness they have.
Encourage your children to wash their hands (and wash your own) after eating, using the bathroom, or navigating through high-traffic areas like airports and shopping malls. When hand-washing isn't possible, hand sanitizer in the next best thing (just keep it under 3 ounces if you're flying).
Your child's body is at its best when it's well-hydrated. Because you don't always have access to fluids during long road trips, it's important to keep bottled water — and some electrolyte-rich drinks like Pedialyte or sports drinks — with you. If your child shows symptoms of illness, change out water for Pedialyte to help them stay balanced and prevent dehydration.
It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to take full effect in your child's body, so it's important to stop by your pediatrician's office for a flu shot at least two weeks before you travel for the holidays. Penguin Pediatrics works hard to accommodate your schedule when it comes to flu shots so that this trip is as convenient as possible during this busy time of year.
Rest is one of the most critical components of health in children of all ages — and sticking to the regular sleep schedule can be especially hectic when traveling and waiting for Santa. Plan your agenda around your child's usual nap times, bed times, and wake up times to promote adequate sleep (and bring travel pillows for older kids — they can really help!).
Moms share everything with their children — including their germs. This time, you have a rock-solid excuse to keep your snacks to yourself. Don't buckle under pressure and risk your time away by sharing your food and beverages with your little ones; their bodies might not be able to fight off the germs that your own body handles with ease.
Bone broth, fruits, and vegetables (which are rich in vitamins and minerals), and pre- and probiotics can help your child's immune system build and maintain the strength it needs to fight off invaders, like viruses and bacteria that commonly cause infections in winter months.
Eating nutritious food is more difficult when you're traveling, but it's possible. Remember that healthy doesn't have to be hard. Choose fresh eateries in the airport that offer sub sandwiches or salads, and consider immune-boosting finger snacks like baby carrots, celery, apples, and oranges for the flight or road trip. Although eating out is probably inevitable, choosing sit-down restaurants over fast food gives you healthier options, too.
You're a mom, which means you can handle a wide variety of ailments on your own, but it's important to know when to call the pediatrician. Call your pediatrician at Penguin Pediatrics if your child:
To schedule your child's flu shot and get more tips and tricks for a healthy holiday season, request an appointment with Penguin Pediatrics in Ashburn or Stone Ridge, VA, today.
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