5 ways to avoid kids getting sick this fall: Nanny know-how
Minimize risk of your kiddos - and you! - getting sick this fall with these top 5 tips from Smart Sitting.
As the temperatures start to dip and leaves change their colors, autumn brings with it a season of beauty but also the potential for sniffles and sneezes. Keeping our kiddos healthy is always a top priority, especially when you're entrusted with their well-being daily. That’s why we’ve put together these top 5 tips to help keep your charges from getting sick this fall. And we want you to stay healthy, too, so these tips will work for you, too!
5 tips to avoid kids getting sick this fall
1. Prioritize hand hygiene
Hand hygiene is the frontline defense against all germs. Encourage regular handwashing, especially:
- After returning home from outdoor activities
- Before meals and snacks
- After using the restroom
- After sneezing or coughing
Always wash hands with warm water and soap, for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer can be useful on the go, but it doesn’t have the same cleaning power as a good, old-fashioned hand wash.
A fun tip: Make handwashing fun by singing the kiddo’s favorite song from start to finish while sudsing up. Singing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice is roughly the amount of time kids (and you!) should spend washing hands.
2. Ensure a Balanced Diet
A nutritious diet goes a long way in bolstering immunity. Make sure the kids:
- Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and antioxidants
- Stay hydrated with water
- Avoid excessive sugary snacks or drinks
Experiment with seasonal veggies and fruits to make mealtime fun! Also do your best to help making sure the kiddos are well-rested, which is the body’s first line of defense against sneeze-causing intruders.
3. Get fresh air
Germs thrive when everyone is cooped up indoors in small spaces. Fall weather can be a tad unpredictable, but by dressing up nice and warm and getting outside, you can let that brisk fresh air work its germ-ridding magic.
- Remember to layer up! It's easier to remove an extra sweater than wish you had one.
- Keep an umbrella or rain jacket handy for those surprise drizzles.
- Try to get at least an hour of outdoor time in each day.
- If the parents allow and it works for your kiddo, nap time in a stroller is a great time for little kiddos to get some fresh air in their lungs.
4. Promote Physical Activity
Exercise helps in strengthening the immune system. As the weather cools, consider these factors:
- Opt for indoor activities like dance-offs, yoga for kids, or fun aerobic routines when the weather is harsh, but try to find large spaces with smaller groups of kids.
- Avoid over-crowded indoor playspaces where germs run amok more than even the toddlers.
- Remember to ensure any play area, indoor or outdoor, is clean and safe. Watch out for slippery outdoor slides and wipe down any indoor snack areas before sitting down for a snack.
5. Regularly clean and disinfect
Toys, books, and common surfaces can harbor germs. Regular cleaning can make a difference and will be super appreciated by the nanny parents:
- Wipe down toys with disinfectant wipes or a cleaning solution - make sure they are safe for kiddos.
- Wash any tables or areas where you will eat, so that the germs don’t get a free ride into the kiddo’s system on their hands
- And hey, the same goes for your stuff! Regularly clean your phone, bags, or any other items you bring into the children's environment. Always wash your hands when you arrive for the day.
What if you get sick?
As caregivers, it's our shared responsibility to ensure the children we look after remain healthy and vibrant. Following these 5 ways to avoid kids getting sick this fall will undoubtedly help – but don't forget about yourself in the process. After all, a happy, healthy nanny means a happy, healthy kiddo.
No matter how hard you try, though, your kiddo is bound to get some infectious illness throughout the season, and then, so will you. So what should you do if that cold makes its way over to you? Take a look at these tips for navigating cold and flu season as a nanny and you’ll be all set to take care of your own body while also looking out for your nanny family.
Are you looking for a nanny job?
If you loved these tips but don’t currently have a nanny or babysitting job where you can put them to good use – consider applying to join Smart Sitting. A highly selective nanny agency, we only work with the most dedicated, experienced caregivers. This means that we can give more attention to helping each nanny or sitter find their ideal role.
Think you have what it takes? Send in your application today!