Winter season brings about shorter days and there is a nip in the air. The aroma of hot chocolate permeates your senses. In a country like India, winter is cause for celebration. Bring out the woollen sweaters and warm bowls of fragrant soup. There are Christmas cakes to bake and decorations to string up. Big fat Indian weddings to commemorate and a new year to ring in. But childcare in winter poses some unique challenges to conquer, whether you experience the zero-degree Dalhousie winter or Mumbai’s moderately cool, relatively dry climate.

So read this post for a few winter tips for parents to survive this season with your sanity intact.

Tips for childcare in winter:

1. Say no to colds in the cold 

A shift in the weather and my son’s classroom is only half full. The rest of the students are home nursing a cold or fever. The culprit is often weak immunity (mostly in kids below 5 years of age as their immunity is still developing). Frequent infections make childcare in winter appears like another parenting challenge! 

It’s a fallacy that cold weather makes you sick. Colds are spread by viruses, not by cold winds. However, the chilly air makes an excellent breeding ground for the influenza virus. And a weak immune system is a welcome mat for contagious germs. So here are some health tips for the winter season.

How to fuel a child’s immune system this winter:

One can improve a child’s immunity in winter through:

  • Food
  • Soaking up sunlight
  • Exercise

Food: Seasonal fruits and vegetables like citrus fruits, pumpkin, carrots and spinach are rich in antioxidants and micronutrients which strengthen immunity. Blitz the veg with butter or cream into a delicious, winter-friendly soup they can’t resist.

Soaking up sunlight: 30 to 60 minutes in the sun will help your child stock up on Vitamin D, a micronutrient which helps fight infections [1] [2].

Exercise: Playtime helps increase blood circulation, boosts energy levels and promotes overall health. Another bonus? They tire out and get to bed early.

2. Keep warm in chilly winter

It’s the time of year when carefully wrapped, warm clothes in the dark corners of your closet suddenly see the light. My son K is fussy with sweaters. ‘This pokes, it’s too heavy, the sleeves are bugging me….’ It’s amazing how many complaints an innocuous piece of clothing can generate. Dressing your toddler for winter is a feat that requires strategy, mental stamina and a good amount of floor wrestling.

How to dress a child for winter:

Layer up:  “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing“, says a German proverb, and rightly so. So make the right choices in kids winter wear. Avoid bulky jackets or sweaters, especially if a child finds them heavy or refuses to wear one. Instead, layer up with an undershirt, a t-shirt, a thick shirt over that and finally a light sweater. You can peel a layer off or add one when needed. Keep the extremities covered with socks and mittens for extra warmth.

For babies: Since infants can’t communicate, check their stomachs, hands and feet. If they feel cool to touch, your baby might need an extra layer.

Note: Avoid scarves and mufflers, as they can become choking hazards.

3. Battle the effects of dry air

After dealing with nine months of Mumbai’s intense, hair-spiralling humidity, winter’s dry weather is such a relief. Until my son K declares his nose feels weird, can we please pour some water up it? Dry air can be a nuisance. Itchy skin, chapped lips, dry nasal passages are just some of the problems that crop up.

How to protect a child from dry winter air:

You can avoid the effects of dry winter air in kids by following these simple tips:

  • Moisturise well
  • Use nasal drops
  •  Use a humidifier

Moisturise well: Warm coconut or almond oil will make your child’s skin sing. Also, they won’t feel thirsty, but they do need to drink sufficient water.

Use nasal drops: Saline drops can help ease nasal discomfort. Carefully insert a few drops inside the passages using a dropper.

Use a humidifier: A humidifier will add moisture to the air and relieve your child’s dry skin and reduce nasal discomfort.

4. Engage in Winter-friendly activities

‘So what do we do nowww?’ I would much rather get my eyebrows pierced than have to listen to that question one more time. And I hate needles. Kids get bored quickly. And when it’s cold outside, they’re raising hell indoors. If cold traps your child inside the house, get innovative.

How to entertain a child with fun indoor activities in winter:

Childcare in winter is incomplete without some engaging indoors activities. Following are some fun and easy ideas to engage your child indoors when its chilly outside:

  • Dance party
  • Board games
  • Obstacle course
  • Art attack

Dance Party: Blast their favourite songs, preferably those that require actions. Just play, dance, repeat.

Board games: For older kids, bring out the dice. Games like junior monopoly, mousetrap, Ludo, twister and battleship can offer up hours of playing pleasure.

Obstacle course: Rearrange your living furniture so that it forms a maze and encourage your children to run through while you time them. The trick is to beat the previous time while passing the time.

Art attack: Spread newspapers on the floor and let your child unleash his artistic side. All you need is non-toxic paint, brushes and enough blank paper to soak up his creativity.

Conclusion

The winter season can be fun and festive if you plan a bit. Childcare in winter brings some challenges which can be easily overcome. Just follow these easy winter health tips for children, become creative with winter indoor activities and voila! Your winter is now a wonderland to enjoy.