This post was in partnership with Burt’s Bees Baby but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Recently at the impressive age of 2 years old, my toddler got her first cold. Considering most kids are often snotty and sick during the early years, I am pretty proud of us for making it to 2 without a single sniffle. Well, it would be impressive if we had actually left the house and done anything for the last two years. But due to COVID-19 and me working from home, my daughter never really had the opportunity to be exposed to germs. Call it a positive side of mask wearing and social distancing, my daughter has been pretty healthy.
I want to keep her healthy and germ-free, but I know there are germs out in the real world, and as my toddler is now starting preschool I have no doubt we’ll be dealing with some standard toddler illnesses in the near future. Even so, I’m going to do my best to ensure we all stay as healthy as possible.
As we head into the school season and with winter coming up, here are a few of the things I’m doing to keep my kiddo healthy.
Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet
The last thing you want to deal with is rushing to the pharmacy late at night for fever or pain relievers. Be prepared with a well-stocked medicine cabinet for whatever comes up. Bonus points go to natural remedies, which we can all feel good about giving to our kids.
These soothing syrups contain pure Manuka Honey and provide essential Vitamin C and Zinc to help support your little one's immune system. Made with coconut oil, shea butter, and Manuka Honey, this rub can be used on your child's chest, neck, back and bottom of feet for soothing comfort. This dietary supplement helps to support a healthy immune system in kids ages 4+. Plus, the taste is kid-approved. When a sore throat strikes, you can feel good about giving them these pops.
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees
Babylist
Baby First Aid Kit
If you have a baby at home, there's a chance that your older child may bring home a cold or other illness and pass it along to the baby. Make sure you are also well stocked with baby-friendly products. This first aid kid has all the essentials in one place.
Target
Boogie Wipes
One of our favorites for runny noses, Boogie Wipes include saline so they clean up a little better than tissues and are more gentle on little noses.
Source: Amanda Shapin Michelson
Make hand-washing easy and accessible
We’ve all learned what a big impact clean hands can have on our health. Clean your hands and your kid’s hands frequently to minimize germs. If they can’t yet reach the faucet, make sure they have a stool nearby or consider a faucet extender to help them reach.
Burt's Bees
Naturally Clean Hand Sanitizer
A travel-sized hand sanitizer is an easy way to keep your hands clean.
Burt's Bees
Naturally Clean Hand Soap
And of course ample soap is necessary for constant hand washing.
For kids that are constantly coming and going, consider a sleek wall unit for hand sanitizer. available in 3 colors A bathroom stool will allow your kids to access the sink for solo hand-washing.
Shimmy
Etsy | Cubby Hole Toys
Source: Pexels | Ketut Subiyanto
Encourage mask-wearing
While mask mandates are related to COVID-19, it doesn’t hurt to wear them to ward off other germs floating around. It would be great if masks were not needed, but right now I’m happy to have my child wear one to keep herself and others safe. Letting her pick out her own has helped make mask wearing easier, too.
If you're struggling to get your child to wear a mask, try one with their favorite character to make it fun. These are an editor and reader favorite, available in a variety of patterns.
Gap
Joah Love
Source: Amanda Shapin Michelson
Promote quality sleep
Healthy actions extend beyond hand washing and mask wearing. Quality sleep is an important piece of overall health and wellness. And if you are a parent to little ones, you don’t need me telling you how nice it is to get a full nights rest. Though there might not be a guarantee of good sleep when it comes to babies and kids, there are some things that might help.
Create consistent bedtime routines and try to keep on the same sleep schedule, even during the weekends.
For stuffy noses at night, consider a humidifier. This one from Lalo x Canopy comes with a special aroma kit, a cool eucalyptus and sweet orange aroma for the morning and lavender and vanilla for night. If your child needs a little extra help drifting off to sleep, white noise may do the trick. Plus, the Hatch comes with a time-to-rise indicator which will hopefully keep your kids in their beds until morning.
Lalo x Canopy
Target
This post was in partnership with Burt’s Bees but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
