Three Things You Can Do To Keep Your Kids Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

The flu season is officially upon us, but that doesn’t mean you need to panic. In fact, there are three things that you can do right now to help keep your kids healthy during cold and flu season.

We’ve teamed up with Dr. Katie, a mom, pediatrician and blogger at Forever Freckled, to share three things you can do to keep your kids healthy this season (and what to do if they’ve already caught a bug).

Dr. Katie is a pediatrician, mom and blogger, and she shared some important tips for parents.

This information is not intended to be medical advice. If your child is experiencing fever, cough or flu-like symptoms, please consult with your pediatrician.

Wash Those Hands (The Right Way)

You’ve definitely heard this advice before, but it’s the MOST important defense in your fight against germs. Not only do YOU need to wash your hands the right way, you also need to teach your kids how to do it too.

In order to kill germs effectively, you need to wash them for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Have your child practice singing their ABCs while they’re washing their hands, or have them sing the Happy Birthday song twice.

Sneeze and Cough Into Your Elbow

Your kids probably have learned to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, but the best way to prevent the spread of those germs is to teach them to sneeze or cough into their elbow.

Kids should also wash their hands and wipe their nose after coughing or sneezing. That’s where Boogie Wipes® Saline Nose Wipes come in. These soft, saline-infused wipes dissolve mucus and help soothe sore noses. Want to avoid painful, raw skin around the nose? Start using Boogie Wipes® saline nose wipes at the first sign of a runny or stuffy nose.

Don’t Send Sick Kids Back to School or Daycare Too Soon

One of the most important things you can do during cold and flu season to keep your kids healthy is to not send them back to school too soon when they do get sick.

While it can feel important for kids to get back to learning (and for you to get back to work) as quickly as possible, sending kids back to school or daycare before their immune system is fully recovered can lead to them catching another cold or bug. At the start of the season, make a plan on what your family will do if your child is sick and needs to stay home from school or daycare.