It’s the season for congestion, coughs, fevers, stomach bugs, and more. Yup- germ season. Between gym childcare and preschool, it seems runny noses and rashes are everywhere. I’m pretty sure it’s a rite of passage that as soon as a child begins preschool, the parent ends up searching the internet at least once asking why is my child always sick?
I don’t take germ season lightly. While I don’t consider myself a germophobe, having kids has definitely pushed me more in that direction. Luckily over the past six years of being a mom, I’ve discovered some tricks and picked up great tips from veteran moms on how to keep kids healthy during germ season. Hearing that the flu is pretty rough this year and that the stomach bug has been going through our town like wildfire, I’m more dedicated to these methods then ever. While I doubt we will make it through winter completely unscathed, I’m crossing my (freshly washed) fingers that we’ll at least avoid the worst of it.
12 Tips to Keep Kids Healthy During Germ Season
Wash hands frequently.
Let’s start with the obvious. Science says this is still the best way to avoid getting and passing germs. Hailey is our best handwasher (as Kaitlyn always tried to slyly skip over this step) and because of it, her hands get seriously dry and sometimes crack. She’s been putting Aquafor on the backs of her hands each night before bed and it has helped so much.
When washing hands, we should all scrub up for at least 20 seconds. I’ll admit, I fall short of this more than I should, but I’m trying to convince the kids (and myself) to wash while singing the happy birthday song. We sound loony, but it’s about the minimum amount of time we should be spending soaping up.
Change clothes after spending extended time in public places (school, gym child care, etc).
I’m pretty sure I picked this tip up from my friend, Alison, a few years ago. When Hailey first started going to preschool, around age 2, the first thing I’d do upon arriving home was to strip her down, wash her hands (or take a bath), and put on clean clothes (or sometimes pajamas). Now at ages 6 and 3, we often still follow the same steps. I liken it to the idea of us taking our shoes off at the front door, and it keeps our home more free from excess outside germs.
Prioritize sleep.
Studies show poor sleepers get sick more often. Children preschool age should be getting 12-14 hours of sleep per night, and school aged children should be getting 10-11 hours. I’ve always been a nut about my kids getting enough sleep. Mostly for my own sanity, but I am a true believer in it helps their immune systems stay strong as I’ve seen both my body and theirs start to get weary after too many late nights.
Teach kids to cough into their elbow.
What do the cool kids call it now? The dab cough, as nod to Cam Newton? Whatever you call it, I’m a stickler for the kids sneezing and coughing into their elbows to avoid getting more germs on their hands.
Give garlic on a spoon of peanut butter at the first sign of sniffles.
By now you probably know my deep affection for garlic. It’s a powerful antiviral and antibiotic. When either of the girls starts getting a stuffy or runny nose, I give them freshly chopped up garlic. Hailey is hardcore enough that she can sometimes just swallow the small pieces with water, but Kaitlyn needs some coercing, so I put a few tiny pieces on a spoonful of peanut butter and it usually does the trick. Repeat either morning and night or at least every morning. Fun (odd?) fact- when family was in town for Christmas we all had a little freshly chopped garlic everyday to keep the germs away!
Keep their hands away from their mouths.
This one drives me batty because both my girls often have their hands in or around their mouths. I’ll admit I have a bad habit of having my hands around my face too so I know where they get it from. Still, I can’t tell you how many times a day I have to say “hands” but I do because I know it reduces the amount of germs that make it into their systems.
Give vitamins. And elderberry.
I’ll be honest, we are inconsistent with vitamins. I’m a stronger believer in good food and a varied diet, but when germ season kicks in, I step it up and try to remember to give vitamins more often.
Clean household door knobs, remote controls, and light switches on the regular.
These are the main areas germs can accumulate because they are touched so often. This is a great chore for both girls and twice a week I have them tag team cleaning all these spots in the house.
Diffuse essential oils.
I’ll be honest, peppermint is the only oil I can truly vouch for because it made my headache disappear quite quickly! However, I do keep essential oils on hand because I don’t think it can hurt (and I so believe they might help) to use them and I like the smell. Most winter days at home, I run my diffuser with a blend of the immunity blend On Guard, Cinnamon, and Wild Orange. If you are an essential oil fan, I’d love to hear your favorite blends!
Decrease the amount of sugar they are eating.
We don’t eat a lot of sugar around here mostly because I don’t have a sweet tooth and don’t think much about it. Sorry kids. Also, we all know excess sugar just isn’t great for our bodies. I’ve also done my own research and learned how sugar suppresses the immune system. I believe in that wholeheartedly and can see a difference in how my kids act and feel when they’ve had too much sugar.
No sharing utensils, drinks, anything.
I’m not great at this one, as I often share bites or sips of what I’m eating with the girls, but at the first sign of a runny nose or cough, I shut it down and make sure we all stick to our own utensils.
Quarantine when necessary, like before vacation.
Ok, this is where you can call me crazy and I’ll nod in acceptance. I’m a believer in quarantining. About a week before a big event (Christmas, vacation, etc), we go on lock down. This means I cut out all the kids’ unnecessary time spent away from the house. I’ll switch my workouts to times when David can stay home with the kids so I don’t have to put them in the childcare. I’ll go grocery shopping solo if possible. I limit play dates. The works. I know it sounds extreme because you can’t avoid all the germs, but it does seem to help keep us healthy for holidays and trips, so for now I’m sticking to it.
What tips do you have for keeping yourself and your kids healthy during germ season?
Cassie says
I wish we could use essential oils, but our cat has bad reactions to even mild ones like lavendar. I also have my various levels of lock down… ha. If she’s sick, we stay home. If she’s just gotten better, we stick to low germ areas… playground, library (at least to get books but we will skip story time) grocery store but I wipe down carts and use hand sanitizer on the way home which I don’t love but we are still working on hand washing.
Brittany Dixon says
I feel the same way about hand sanitizer- it’s nice to have when I need it, but prefer hand washing when we can!
Sarah says
I’m a big believer in elderberry syrup. I have three kids 6, 3, and 1 and at the first sign of a stuffy nose I start dishing it out! When we’re on vacation I’ll pick up a bottle of the elderberry gummies to bring with us. I truly believe in it and while it is expensive it’s less expensive then multiple trips to the doctor. Great list! I especially like the garlic with peanut butter. I’ll have to try that next time one of the big kids gets sick.
Brittany Dixon says
I liked having elderberry syrup on hand last year but haven’t snagged any yet this year. Great reminder! I did find some elderberry lozenges at Publix that I’m carrying around with me. They seem pretty great!
Angie says
We do all of these too! I swear changing clothes and baths are a huge help. Of course kids are going to get sick but if I can help lessen the symptoms I’ll do it. My husband and I swear by taking oregano oil pills. We started doing it 2 years ago and we haven’t gotten sick once, knock on wood. As soon as we feel a tickle in our throat or weak we take one. Could be a placebo but I’ll try anything. They do have drops too but I don’t think it’s recommended for kids.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh yes, I forgot about the power of oregano- thank you! I have oregano oil that I would roll on the bottom of my feet before bed last year. David said I smelled like a pizza but I liked the strong antibiotic properties 🙂
Questioner says
I’ve read about people messaging oil on their feet….but can’t understand why that would help?! Why not inhale it, or rub it on your chest or something?
Brittany Dixon says
I am not an oil expert, but my oily friends tell me the bottom of the feet and wrists are great absorption spots!
sherry says
Great reminder about cleaning door handles, light switches, etc. Off to do that and take a bite of garlic 🙂
Sara says
I think phones and tablets are also germy and important to keep clean!
Austin says
I quarantine too.. no shame!
Laura says
These are all great suggestions! I’ll be honest though… I don’t follow the majority of them, although we are the first in line to get our flu shots in the fall. Since having kids, I’ve actually become way more relaxed about germs. I think it was after having my first baby and seeing how EVERYTHING would go in his mouth (usually picked up from the floor or ground), and he actually never got sick, or at least nothing more than a sniffle. I am a teacher so surrounded by germs, as well as having my kids in daycare + gym daycare and I just try to take it all in stride. Most years I’ve had to take one sick day at most, for all 3 of us. I am slightly paranoid when it comes to food poisoning, since that can be really dangerous for developing immune systems. I try to minimize the risk by cooking at home and only eating out a few times a month.
Laura says
One other thing we do follow is to drink lots of water! I have a huge glass beverage dispenser that sits on our counter that we try to get through daily. My son helps me fill the dispenser with some added lemon slices, and he gets a kick out of filling his glass. It helps remind us all to keep the water flowing.
Brittany Dixon says
Great reminder with the water! I do OK with it, Hailey is great, and Kaitlyn follows in my footsteps, so we need to do a better job with that- even if just for hydration purposes for our skin 🙂
John J. says
Good tips. Just threw down (not up) chopped up garlic. Whew! What a way to have to stay healthy. 🙂
Lauren says
We do most of these things in our household too! Not hard core enough for the garlic, but I make my own elderberry syrup and everyone takes a shot of it a day. Knock on wood, but my three kiddos have had minimal sniffles this preschool season and nothing else! We have a 3 month old so I’ve been pretty vigilant about doing my best to keep us all healthy 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
Sarah says
Oohh, do you mind sharing your elderberry syrup recipe??
Lauren says
Absolutely! I have tried a couple different ones and always come back to the basic one I use.
I boil 3 cups of water with a 1/2 cup of dried elderberries (I buy organic ones on Amazon). Gently boil for 45 min then let cool. Once cool I mash the berries in the pan with a fork just to make sure I get all the goodness out of them 🙂 Then use a strainer to strain the juice into a bowl. Discard the elderberries. I then add a little less than half a cup of local or raw honey to the juice and mix it all together. I used to use a full half cup but it seemed too sweet. I like to use local since it also helps with my sons allergies. If you want to make a vegan version you can use pure maple syrup instead of the honey. I then store it in a mason jar in the fridge.
Sometimes when I’m boiling the elderberries I will also add in some cinnamon, ground cloves and ground ginger but my kiddos aren’t too crazy about all the extra spices. Let me know if you have any questions!
Sarah says
Wow, that sounds easy! I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Sarah says
I never thought about the clothes-changing tip (aside from shoes) but I think I’m going to try that from now on because it makes a lot of sense! And I also try to quarantine before big events, lol, so I’m glad to know I’m not the only one.
Sara says
Probiotics should also help keep the bad germs in check 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Absolutely! I am a probiotic fan for sure 🙂 Bring on the kombucha!
Sarah says
Great idea about the bits of garlic in a spoonful of PB! I know my kids hate garlic but maybe I can coerce them to swallow it (unknowingly) real quick in a blob of nut butter.
Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
I laugh because it’s the same trick I used when I needed Koda (our dog) to take a pill 😉
Sarah says
Great post and we do most of these things. Also being a doTerra essential oil mama, I’ll say beyond diffusing OnGuard, the best way we have incorporated it into our routines with kids is to use their OnGuard cleaner concentrate and OnGuard Foaming Hand Wash so the anti-bacterial AND Anti-viral properties are working for us on all surfaces and our bodies. I even make OnGuard Laundry soap (although they sell their own) so it gets into our clothing and bedding. I also make up an OnGuard hand sanitizing spray to have with us on the go and I apply a roller bottle of it to the girls feet and our own at bedtime. That way, if you have pets in the home, it is accessible beyond diffusing that can be sensitive for some. Its been remarkable for us without a sick visit for 2 kids preschool and younger in over 2 years! (#touchwood). We add homemade elderberry syrup (Wellness Mama recipe) and daily probiotics (doTerra kids line packaged like pixi sticks). You should definitely ask your doTerra hookup about the rest of the OnGuard line beyond the oils.
Brittany Dixon says
I really need to get into making my own cleaning solutions. Maybe I can disguise it as a a homeschool project 😉
Laura says
I started making my own when I discovered a spruce scented all purpose cleaner at a specialty store around the holidays that was about $14 for a small bottle. I am making my own now with fir and juniper essential oils and a small amount of castile soap with water. I bought pretty cobalt blue glass spray bottles (everything purchased on amazon) and love it! Especially like cleaning with non toxic cleaners. Also am making my own foaming hand soaps with refillable dispensers. I switch out the oils/ scents seasonally. One you get the supplies it is all really easy!
Katie says
I’ve been giving my son this stuff in his milk when he’ll let me. It works for me, so it has to work for him too! So far he’s been less sick this year!
https://www.amazinggrass.com/store/kidz-superfood-outrageous-chocolate.html
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve tried that stuff a couple years ago and you’re right- it is good!!
Erica says
Great tips! We also follow the change your clothes when you get home tip! I wish my 2 1/2 year old could start sneezing into his elbow…what age did your girls learn that?? I’ve never hear of Incredivites, thanks for the link. I started giving my toddler Zarbee’s Naturals for Toddlers last month when he was sick for 3 weeks straight. He seldom eats sweets so he loves that gummy vitamin!
Brittany Dixon says
Kaitlyn just is getting down the sneezing in the elbow thing now, so probably 3 – 3 1/2, but always good to introduce it to them early 😉
Brittany Dixon says
Is the four thieves blend the same as the YL thieves? I’ve thought about trying that one too!
Jennifer says
This are amazing tips!! Thanks for sharing! I will start incorporating many of these ASAP! My son always changes out for his uniform when he comes home from school but I never thought about doing bath time at the same time too, I’m going to try it!
At the first sign of a cold for an adult do you chew up 1 raw clove of garlic? I assume you buy organic?
Do you use any specific household cleaner for all those surfaces you clean 2x per week?
Brittany Dixon says
At the first sign of a tickle, I peel and chop half a clove, suck on it for a minute or two, them swallow it with water. About 3 times a day 🙂 I try to buy organic, but they don’t always have it, so I buy conventional too and it works the same!
I use Shaklee cleaning products for the most part, but will also use any “natural” cleaning brand at Target too. I really want to try making my own cleaners but haven’t gotten that far yet!
Christine says
Love these tips, especially taking your clothes off when getting home! I swear by probiotics – our pediatrician said that children on probiotics are less likely to get sick than those that take vitamins. Last winter both my husband and I came down with the stomach bug but my son (2yr. at the time) didn’t which baffles me since it is so contagious!
For your garlic trick – does the garlic stay on your breath for long? That is my only worry…also Apple cider vinegar is suppose to be good too! I remember taking it last year before a half marathon, I came down with a cold but didn’t want to be on cold meds during the race, it worked well!
Vince says
Love the information. It’s great that you have such a focus on things that help kids fight off bugs, not just reducing their exposure to them.
Alyssa says
I can’t wait til my little one is old enough where we can teach some of these.. Sadly at 1 year old, everything goes in the mouth faster than I can keep things away. I can’t even count the number of colds she’s had.. I guess when she’s older she’ll just have one heck of an immune system?… hopefully 🙂
Love the lockdown before vacations and holidays.. nothing is worse than being sick on vacation..
Brittany Dixon says
I agree with you- at age 1, everything is in the mouth and helps build a great immune system!! 🙂
Katie says
I quarantine too! Didn’t help this Christmas- they were sick for 3 weeks! 🙁 But I definitely do before important events!