Having a sick child at home is no fun. As parents we always try our best to keep our children happy and healthy, but with the fluctuating temperatures of our Malaysian weather and frequent bouts of colds and coughs going around, it makes it difficult to maintain our children’s well-being. However, with a few proactive measures, we may be able to help our kids stay healthy throughout the year.
Here are 5 simple ways to keep your kids healthy and happy during the common cold season.
#1 Prioritise Proper Hydration
Staying hydrated is super important, especially during the cough and cold season when kids may be more susceptible to dehydration. Children (and us) need proper hydration to help maintain the body’s natural defences and keep mucous membranes moist to be more effective at blocking germs.
Some of the ways that we can encourage our kids to drink more water include:
- Fun Water Bottles: Let them pick out their favourite design or character to make drinking water more enjoyable.
- Infuse Water with Fruits: Adding slices of fruits like oranges, strawberries, or cucumbers can make water more appealing and can be a tasty alternative to sugary drinks.
- Create a Hydration Schedule: Set specific times throughout the day for your child to drink water, such as after waking up, during snack times, and after playtime.
#2 Emphasise Hand Washing
During the cough and cold season – when viruses are more prevalent, reminding our children the importance of washing their hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Teach them to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. A good way to ensure they wash long enough is to have them sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while scrubbing.
#3 Maintain a Balanced Diet
There’s no doubt that nutrition plays a vital role in keeping the immune system strong. It’s important to ensure that our children have a diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals, which should include fruits and vegetables, protein, whole grains, healthy fats like avocado or olive oil, as well as hydrating foods like soups, cucumbers and watermelon.
#4 Ensure Plenty of Rest
Sleep is super important for children! As we sleep, the body repairs itself and strengthens the immune system, making it better prepared to fight off infections. Ensuring our children get enough rest can significantly reduce the risk of catching colds and other illnesses.
#5 Take Vitamin C Daily
On top of all the tips above, a Vitamin C supplement can be an effective way to support your child’s immune system. Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties and can help reduce the severity and duration of common colds.
Champs Vitamin C 100mg contains *5X higher Vitamin C and helps to boost children’s immune system for children 1-12 years old. It comes in chewable format and orange flavour without unpleasant taste, that helps the children to consume the vitamin daily as an essential dietary supplement of vitamin c. It is approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) with an individual MAL number.
CHAMPS is the first Halal certified children’s vitamins and has been trusted by mothers in Malaysia for more than 40 years as the ‘Mothers’ Choice for Champions’. It is a leading child health supplement brand with strong heritage in Malaysia. Champs offers a wide range of products consisting of Vitamin C and Multivitamins in a variety of different flavours and format. It is available in all major pharmacies and hypermarkets nationwide.
