Keep Your Kids Warm and Healthy in Cold Winter

While you can't eliminate germs from your home or your children's school, you can boost their immune systems. One easy way to do this is to limit their sugar intake. Sugar can temporarily reduce white blood cells' ability to fight off bacteria. Leave the cookies for Santa and choose alternative snacks for your kids instead.

Water helps eliminate viruses and bacteria from the digestive system. Keep giving water to drink during the winter instead of soda or sugary juice. If you are planning a fun winter excursion, be sure to pack some soup or hot cocoa that your kids can drink whenever they get too cold. This will warm them up and satisfy their hunger.

Make sure your children know steps they can take at school and home to prevent the spread of disease. Specifically, kids should wash their hands regularly to remove bacteria. Teach them to cover their noses or mouths when they sneeze or cough. If one of your kids does get sick, he or she is less likely to spread the illness to other children.

In general, young kids should wear one more layer of clothing than adults would wear in similar conditions. A typical winter outfit should include a windproof and waterproof jacket. Kids rain pants can also protect your children from the elements. A bare head or skin can cause the body to lose heat in a hurry. Don’t forget to pack a hat along with gloves.

Your house can get cold during the winter, as well. Try hanging blankets over doorways to keep out drafts. Heavy curtains can also block heat from escaping your home. You may also be tempted to put extra blankets in your baby's crib to keep him or her warm. However, this can cause your infant to suffocate during the night.