Nine Tips To Avoid A Cold

I read an article recently stating the average child gets 6 – 12 colds a year. A child is exposed at daycare, playing with other children and when going out in public. As a special needs mom, I limit the amount of exposure as much as I can.

My number one weapon? Washing hands. I know it sounds simple, but it has been highly effective for our family. I have adopted this technique ever since we brought our son (who has special needs) home from the hospital. I wash my hands frequently throughout the day. Everyone who comes into our home is required to wash their hands.

If we are out in public and someone reaches out to touch my son, I have been known to block them. Before my son, I would never be so rude. I’d rather be polite. But, I know protecting my son is more important than being polite. (I still try to be polite about it.)

What most people don’t know is how seriously a “little” cold affects special needs children. It is not as simple as wiping his nose and giving some Tylenol. Circumstances can become dire from a little cold, as I found out recently.

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9 Tips to prevent colds in special needs kids:

{Though really they can help all kiddos!}

Here are some ways I protect my little guy:

1. Everyone washes hands when coming in our house.
2. When coming in from shopping, I wash my hands.
3. Anyone who has had a recent cold or is caring for a child or family member with a cold is asked to visit another time.
4. Children at church are asked not to touch Samuel.
5. If someone approaches my son in the store, I move to stand in front of him or be close enough to block, if necessary.
6. If someone touches his stroller, I squirt a generous amount of hand sanitizer and wipe vigorously.
7. If I am in contact with door handles in public, I wash my hands before touching my soon .
8. When asked to sign the credit card machine at the store, I ask for a paper towel to wrap around the pen handle.
9. I wipe down my cell phone with soapy water when I come home.

Does this guarantee my son won’t catch a cold? No, but if it cuts down on the number of exposures/colds, then it is worth it. I don’t know how Samuel caught this cold. The nurse from the pediatrician’s office said it could even be on someone’s clothes. Who would have thought such a thing? Do I wash my clothes when I come home? No, but perhaps I should consider it because I love seeing Samuel’s smiles.

I think as a mom; you do the best you can. I follow the tips above, and I pray daily for my son’s health. And if he gets a cold, I still pray. Even more.

Do you have tips to share on how you keep your children healthy? Post them below. You never know how your comments could help someone else.