How can I stop my child picking up too many bugs

As your toddler starts to interact more with other children, it’s inevitable that they’ll pick up coughs and colds. Nahdi pharmacists share their top tips to keep your little one healthy…

1. Clean and clear

Your toddler probably loves playing on the floor and picking up everything they find! That means good personal hygiene is vital in order to combat germs. Effective hand washing can prevent the spread of infection: ensure your child uses warm water and soap and is cleaning in between their fingers and on the backs of their hands. This should be a part of the daily routine and if they’re reluctant, find a soap featuring a favorite character. Pack anti-bacterial gel for when you’re out and about – you might not be able to stop your little one putting their fingers in their mouth, but you can try to keep those fingers clean.

2. Healthy eating

A healthy and varied diet helps keep your toddler’s immune system strong. But if you have a fussy eater, you may need to get creative: ask your child to choose some fruit to make a kebab; chop up raw vegetables for them to dip in hummus; or hide veggies in a pasta sauce. Your toddler also needs plenty of calcium, protein and healthy carbohydrates, and they should drink enough water to stay hydrated.

3. Catching zzz’s

Getting plenty of sleep is key to building up your toddler’s immunity and it makes them more able to cope with any nasty bugs that they come into contact with. Stick with a regular bedtime routine to encourage a good night’s sleep.

4. Stop the spread

It’s lovely to see your toddler interact with others, but make sure they’re sharing toys and books, not drinking cups or bags of snacks. Wipe down toys and surfaces with an anti-bacterial spray after play dates (in case your guest brought any germs along), and if your toddler is the one who’s ill, give playgroup a miss until they’re better. You can also catch their sneezes in a tissue to be thrown away; and try to stop your child wiping their runny nose on sleeves or, worse still, on you!

5. A healthy home

Good hygiene isn’t just about clean hands, it’s important you keep your home environment healthy too. Try to throw open the windows whenever you can to let some fresh air inside, and make sure any adults who smoke do it outside the house. Invest in anti-bacterial spray and bleach to keep surfaces and toilets free from germs.

6. Vaccinations 

Make sure your toddler’s vaccinations are up to date – they offer the best protection against the spread of childhood diseases such as flu, measles, mumps and rubella.

7. Build it up

Finally, remember that however hard you try, it’s impossible to stop your little one from picking up bugs. What’s more, wrapping them up in cotton wool could make their immune system weaker. Coughs, colds and stomach upsets are all part of growing up, and with every illness that they recover from, your child’s immune system will gets stronger, so let them explore and have fun.