How to take care of our children in this pandemic of covid 19

After Second wave of COVID-19 parents are very concerned about their children, and are very eager to know how to protect them from COVID-19.

In the second wave we have seen that number of children getting infected with the COVID-19 is increased, mostly it is because of the total no of  COVID-19 patients in the country is increased.

So it is necessary to be careful and follow the COVID-19 preventive measures.

What can we do to protect our children from COVID-19?

As currently there is no specific, proven drug is available to treat the infection 

and the available vaccine which can protect from the COVID-19 is allowed for adults only, so what remained in our hand is to follow the protocol and tech our children to follow it too.

So let’s see what preventative measures we can take-

1. Stay at Home- This is the best way of protection. As less contact with the people, will lead to less chances of getting infected. So do not go out unless it is necessary like medical emergency.
2. Do not touch here and there unnecessary- we know that children love to explore each and every thing which come across them, but for now we have to teach them that touching unnecessary things in the public area is hazardous as virus can survive on surface for longer time.
3. Hand wash and use of sanitiser- do hand wash regularly and use hand sanitizer when it is appropriate to use with the proper Hand washing technique.
4. Do not touch the face unnecessarily 
5. Use elbow while sneezing 
6. Do not attend social gatherings and avoid group play.
7. Always use mask properly when outside the house, and make sure the mask is covering the nose. Children above the age of 2 years can use the mask.
8. One of the most important thing is to eat healthy, as healthy eating habits improves the immunity and now immunity plays major role. 
9. Avoid junk food
10. Having good sleep is equally important for development of good immunity and good health.

And as parents it’s our duty is to discuss and demonstrate all the protective and appropriate behaviour for COVID-19.

Proper 20 seconds hand washing technique

The proper 20 seconds hand washing technique is very important for this pandemic as well as in our daily life style, because on our hand within 1 cm of area almost 1500-2000 bacteria are present, which are sufficient to cause illnesses.

So let’s learn how to wash our hand:-

Following are the Seven steps of hand washing technique advised by the WHO.

1. Under running water use enough soap to cover full hand and wrist. And  rub palm to palm in circular motion.
2. Wash between the fingers by opposing fingers with to and forth movements.
3. Rub back of the hand with opposite palm.
4. Clean back of the fingers by opposite palm, clean both left and right side.
5. Clean around and base of the each thumb using opposite hand.
6. Clean fingertip and nails of both the hands on opposite palm.
7. Wash each wrist with opposite palm. Repeat on other wrist.

Then wash off the soap and dry hands and wrist with clean and dry cloth.

Do this for at least 20 seconds and at times when it is necessary.

Meaning of different colours of poops of the child.

Poop colour of a child can not be compared with the colour of poop of adults.

Having different colour of  poop doesn’t mean it’s abnormal.

During infancy at different stages a child can have different colours of poop, it totally depends up on what baby is eating.

Other than this there are also some abnormal conditions which leads to different colours of poop.

Following are the most common colours of poop we can see and let’s see why?

1. Black tarry colour- It is the normal colour of the poop of the newborn, called as meconium, it is the first stool of the baby, contains amniotic fluid, mucus, cells which shed from skin and intestinal tract of baby, lanugo (fine hair on the baby's body), bile. It can be dark green, brown or yellow. Mostly it remains present for 2-3 days after birth.
2. Black- It can be seen in babies on breast feed or on formula feed, it is normal for first few days, later it can be abnormal.
3. Dark green- Seen in babies having green coloured food or the babies who are on iron  supplements, it is normal.
4. Yellow- Normal in breast feed babies.
5. Orange- Normal in breast feed or formula feed babies.
6. Green- It is normal in formula feed babies.
7. Red- It can be normal as it can be due to red coloured foods as red cereals, red frosting, beets.

Abnormal colours of poop:-

1. White- It is abnormal as it can be present in a child with liver problem.
2. Grey- It suggest the problem with the gastrointestinal system.
3. Bright red- It is abnormal and there might be problem or bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal system.
4. Dark red or brown- It is also an abnormal poop colour as it can be present in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
5. Green- It can be abnormal as it can be present in diarrhoea, the colour is due to the bile present in the stool. 

What should be the diet plan for children in monsoon season

As parents we know that for the optimal growth of the children it is necessary to provide good warm environment and healthy food to our children.

But in monsoon season things will be little difficult because change in the climate, unhygienic environment can cause many illnesses like common cold to the very serious like diarrhoea which comes under 5 most common causes of death in children under 5 years of age.

So what should we give to our children to keep them safe and healthy in the monsoon season?

1. Green Vegetables- Use of fresh and washed green Vegetables like Methi, neem, coriander in the regularly cooked food will improve immunity of the child and prevents lots of infections.
2. Banana- The most common problem of monsoon season is gastrointestinal problem and banana is rich in minerals and vitamins which are useful in preventing gastrointestinal problems.
3. Lime juice- It is a rich source for vitamin c which helps in immunity building.
4. Garlic- According to Ayurveda garlic has many benefits as it is important in  growing bone of the children it also plays major role in preventing the children from common cold and flu.
5. Ginger- Such spices has lots of health related benefits, it also prevents the children from common colds.
6. Turmeric- Helps in boosting immunity.
7. Seasonal fruits- Nature is perfect in its place as it provides the nutrients in the season where it is required the most. Seasonal fruits such as jamuns, green almond, cherries are very reach in dietary fibres which are important in monsoon season to avoid illness.
8. Curd should be chosen over the milk.
9. And the most important is the use water which is boiled for at least 15 - 20 minutes and then allowed to cool as it can kill many viruses and bacteria which are real culprit for many diseases.
10. Lentils- Lentils should be considered in the monsoon season as proteins are required for cell repair, growth and immunity development.
11. Dry fruits- Boosts the immunity.

What should be avoided-

1. Sea foods- As monsoon is the breeding season for them
2. Meat
3. Street food- It should be strictly avoided as it can be very unhygienic.
4. Spicy foods
5. Use of Salts should be minimised.
6. Packaged food.