If everyone around you seems to be dropping like flies from the cold and flu, you may be panicking about your child catching the bug too. While we can’t protect our little ones 100 percent, there are some ways to help your son or daughter escape the sick season unscathed.

Balanced diet

For children 6 months and older – or for those already accustomed to a diet of solids – paying close attention to their foods can be the ticket to a healthful winter. Just as with adults, a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and veggies and healthy fats and grains is essential to keeping the body working optimally. During the winter season, be vigilant about foods like citrus, butternut squash and sweet potato – all things that are plentiful in either vitamin C or A and can guard against illness.

Water

Both mommy and child should be getting enough water in their diets.

During the months when colds and viruses are running rampant, encouraging your little one to take adequate fluids is especially important. Our bodies are more than 60 percent water and drinking 8-10 8-ounce glasses each day helps our systems flush out toxins and operate at their best. If your little one is already coming down with a bug, introducing a humidifier during sleep time will be soothing and healing.

Sleep

Speaking of sleep, our bodies function at their best when they’re well-rested. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep at night and naptime to ward off a cold or flu. Keep your kid’s room at a comfortable 72 degrees Fahrenheit and use a cool mist humidifier to keep moisture in the air. Just be sure to change the water each day to be healthy this winter, so as not to circulate bacteria.

Hand-washing

Getting down to the very basics, teaching your little one to wash his or her hands is crucial to keeping sickness at bay. Get into the routine of helping your son or daughter scrub up before meals and after play. Teach him or her to keep their hands away from their nose and mouth, as this is often how kids pick up and pass germs.

What are some tips and tricks you can share with other moms to prevent cold and flu naturally this winter? Share your thoughts in the comments below for your simplest ways to stay healthy this winter.