Coughs and colds are some of the most common childhood illnesses, especially in children attending preschool or daycare.
Young children have an average 6-8 coughs or colds each year, with pre-schoolers up to four times more likely to suffer than children who stay at home.
These infections affect the sinuses, throat, and airways, and symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat.
These symptoms can affect a child’s sleep, appetite, and daily routines, and the impact extends to families, with increased healthcare visits, parental work absences, and related costs adding to the burden.
We’ve compiled five key strategies to help reduce the frequency, duration, and overall burden of these illnesses in your children.
What can parents do to support children’s health this September?
1. Good food
Focus all meals and snacks on natural, nutrient-dense foods that include protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals – and minimise or eliminate processed and sugary snacks.
2. Keep hydrated
Children should be drinking water all day, as even mild dehydration can lead to tiredness, reduced energy, low mood and an inability to concentrate. If they refuse to drink water, ensure highly diluted juice is available for them.
3. Prioritise sleep
Developing bodies and minds need a good night’s sleep every night, particularly before a day at school, and a familiar ‘wind-down’ routine can help. 5-8 year-olds need 10-12 hours sleep each night, 9-12 year-olds need 9-12 hours, and teenagers need 8-10 hours.
4. Keep moving
An hour of daily exercise is recommended for all children, and including active movement in your child’s day can help them to sleep, eat and feel better, particularly if it’s outside.
5. Try a supplement!
Our digestive system is central to health and closely linked to our brain, mood and immunity. Support gut function with lots of vegetables and fruit for fibre, and help to balance the microbiome by adding friendly bacteria to your child’s diet, via fermented foods or in supplement form.
Pro-Ven Biotics Fit for School is a research-backed, delicious strawberry-flavoured chewable tablet, which contains 12.5 billion unique Lab4 friendly bacteria combined with vitamin C.
It is perfect to support your child’s microbiome balance and immune function and is backed by two published clinical studies showing effectiveness in reducing cough and cold symptoms in children.
The research also showed lower absenteeism from school, and less doctors’ visits and antibiotic prescriptions, ensuring optimum support for your children.
Pro-Ven Biotics Fit for School is available to buy in pharmacies and health food shops across the country including Life Pharmacy, McCauley Pharmacy, Holland & Barrett and more. Find out more here.