My child’s daycare, especially during Winter, is full of germs. It sometimes feels like more than half the class has stuffy, streaming noses and noisy coughs.

Last Winter, I used up all my sick leave during the cooler months to care for my sickly toddler. So I am determined this season, to fight as hard as I can to support my family’s immune health.

I’ve put together my recipe below for how I’m going to keep the Winter germs away. Join me and let’s keep our kids healthy.

1) Good Hygiene

It’s really important to teach healthy hygiene practices to your kids and reinforce these over and over again. Make sure you follow these too and make a point of letting your child see you maintain good hygiene so they can learn by example.

Washing hands regularly is a very effective way of getting rid of germs. Encourage your child to wash their hands with warm water and soap before meals and snacks, after the bathroom, when they get back from daycare or visiting an indoor play area or playground.

Another important tip is to teach your kids the correct way to sneeze and cough, so they limit the spread of germs. Tell them to ideally sneeze into a tissue (and throw this away) or onto their sleeve in the crook of their elbow. Teach your children to immediately wash their hands after coughing or sneezing.

Also, remind your kids not to share drinks or food with their friends. And encourage your children not to put their hands in their mouth or nose.

2) Good Sleep Routine

Make sure your child is getting ample sleep, especially during Winter, when germs and bugs are more prolific. When you’re tired, your body is not able to fight as hard as it would normally. So if you want to provide immune support, make sure your child is getting a healthy amount of sleep for their age (at least 10 – 14 hours a day for a two to three-year-old).

3) Embrace The Good Bugs

Good bugs, also known as probiotics are the friendly helpful bacteria that naturally occur in our guts. They support our immune system and help aid digestion. To help support your child’s good bugs, incorporate fermented foods such as yoghurt, fermented veggies and a good quality probiotic supplement.

Biostime Infant Probiotics with Vitamin D has been developed by global experts with over 20 years of experience, specially formulated to help support the gastro-intestinal flora of healthy infants. Biostime is my brand of choice as the company is driven to be the best in child nutrition. Because they are global leaders in this space, Biostime is the world’s No.1 brand of Children’s Probiotic Supplements in the world.*

Biostime Infant Probiotics also has added Vitamin D for immune support. And bonus – Biostime Infant Probiotic with Vitamin D is so easy to use and it comes with pre-measured sachets and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

4) Healthy Diet

It’s not always easy to give little kids a balanced diet. Young children are often fussy and some aren’t particularly keen on their vegetables. But it’s important to try and sneak in some fruit and veggies into their meals. Experts suggest that you should aim for your child to eat around five servings of fruits and veggies a day.

Foods packed in flu-fighting antioxidants and Vitamin C, such as carrots, green beans and oranges, are great for helping your body to fight germs.

5) Understand Your Daycare’s Sick & Hygiene Policy

Most daycares will ask for a child to be collected if they have a fever. But unfortunately, children may be carrying all sorts of infectious viruses before a fever even spikes. Don’t be shy to question your daycare about their sickness policy and make sure it’s enforced. Also, while you’re in question mode, ask them about their washing hands policy and how often the toys are disinfected.

More About Biostime

Biostime®, the World’s No.1 Brand of Children’s Probiotic Supplements*

Biostime Infant Probiotics with Vitamin D is a probiotic combination specially developed to support gastro-intestinal flora of healthy infants. This baby & infant probiotic & prebiotic formulation also contains added Vitamin D for immune support.

Biostime products are available in selected outlets across Australia; Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Discount Pharmacy and Pharmacy for Less.

For more information about Biostime’s range of probiotics visit biostime.com.au.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. 

Source: Euromonitor’s research findings as generated via desk research and trade interviews, in terms of retail sales value in 2017 (claim issue date 29 May 2019).