One of the questions I get asked most this time of year is how to keep small infants and children healthy with all the holiday visiting that occurs. It can be a challenge at times because some of the variables are out of your control, especially with people in the mix you don't know. But, don't sweat that stuff...focus on what you can control.
1. Make sure everyone in your home 6 months and older gets a flu shot. This is the only way to protect young infants, and everyone, actually. For more information on the flu shot and the changes in this year's flu shot guidelines, click here.
2. Don't sacrifice health for visiting. There are two scenarios to consider: what to do if your infant becomes sick on the eve of a holiday event and what to do if you learn someone in attendance at that event is sick, even with a cold. The younger the infant, the more vulnerable they are to illness and it may be best for the infant to be at home, and not at the event. Your pediatrician can help you make the decision if you are unsure what to do.
3. Have rules about touching the baby. Remember, most viruses (aka "germs") are spread by touch as well as by close contact from air borne droplets. If you feel comfortable having people hold your infant, ask those people to wash their hands first. If they have obvious signs of a cold, tell them honestly you can't take the chance given the age of your child.
4. Watch toddler's at all times. Toddler's can not only get easily spooked in large crowds but can get into trouble quickly because the holiday decorations are not always child-friendly and they can easily mistake wine for apple juice. The best way to keep a toddler safe is to have an adult watching.
5. Keep the visiting length child-focused. Remember you have small children now, so staying for the entire event may not be feasible. You'll have a more enjoyable experience if your time the event is in your children's best interests than your relatives. After all, this is your holiday too.
6. Keep the event simple. I personally find cooking very enjoyable but hosting an event with children in the mix (especially infants and toddlers) can be very sticky. Consider making the event a pot luck and use some of the amazing prepared dishes many of the markets now have.
7. Keep the entire day child-centered, child-focused for all. My girls are old enough now that they can point out when family gatherings get "too adult". They are also able to point out when relatives start to brag about their own children. We've started to combat this by pulling out our Nintendo Wii in the winter or board games and getting adults and kids all playing together (in the nice weather, we attempt ball games for those brave enough!). We don't always succeed but we try. For the holidays in particular, the focus needs to be on the kids, all the kids. If you are hosting, buy coloring books and activities.
8. Make your holiday table about dreams and the future. At an event last week I learned about two amazing ways to make your table interesting and get all ages involved:
Post-It Note Dreams: Have pens and post-it notes on your holiday table as well as any other table you serve food, appetizers and drinks. As adults and kids go by, they can jot notes of their dreams for the upcoming year. During dinner, gather the notes and read them out loud.
The Growing Hand Table Cloth (or napkins): Find an inexpensive or old white tablecloth for your holiday table. Buy some fabric pens at an arts and crafts store and leave them on the table. Have all the kids trace their hands and write their name and age. Use the same table cloth next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.....Just think of the conversations that your table will have with those hand prints over the years!
9. Holiday Cheer and Kids Don't Always Mix. Holiday traditions we look forward to such as the arrival of Santa or the singing of holiday music, young children may not understand and may very well be afraid of. Don't push any activities on children that may seem fearful. Let your child guide what he or she is comfortable with. With time and experience what is scary today will be a blast tomorrow!
10. Don't Over Visit. When we first had kids, we felt enormous pressure to visit all relatives for the "big" holidays. What a bad idea! We found ourselves in planes, trains and automobiles and were so exhausted, as were the kids, that most of the event was a blur. Most families I've talked with have had the same experience. You may need to see one side of the family on the holiday and the other side on an off day, and then switch it up the following year. Whatever you end up working out, make it your choice and have it be about fairness and balance. And, feel free to pull out all the creative juggling your parents did when you were little - that's always the ultimate trump card for all of us!
For more holiday safety ideas, click here.
For winter weather and sports tips, click here.
So, while visiting friends and relatives over the next 2 1/2 weeks, keep these tips and ideas in mind. If you do, the holiday season will be safe, sane and enjoyable for the all kids and adults in your family.
About Dr. Gwenn:
I’m a pediatrician, health journalist, mother, wife, musician, Starbucks frequenter, and lover of popular culture. With so many hats, no wonder my head is flattening! If all goes well, we’ll share a virtual cup o’jo from time to time and learn something new about the world. Thanks for stopping by and giving me a few minutes of the time I know you have precious little of these days!
Visit Dr. Gwenn at her blog:
http://pediatricsnow.blogspot.com/
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