McNeil Consumer partners with pediatrician Tanya Altmann with tips on keeping children healthy during cold-and-flu season
FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — According to a recent survey conducted by Mom Central in partnership with the makers of Tylenol, 52% of moms agree that a baby’s first fever is the most challenging motherhood moment, and 82% report they are most likely to consult their pediatrician to navigate such milestones.
The survey also revealed moms continue to worry about the risks of flu season even as their children age, with 46% of moms with older children reporting the flu as the illness they feel least-equipped to manage.
To help moms manage this year's cold and flu season, McNeil Consumer is partnering with pediatrician Tanya Altmann on the Smiling it Forward program to share tips on how moms can help keep children healthy during cold and flu season.
“As a mom, I know how natural it is to panic when your baby is sick or has a fever. Despite being a pediatrician myself, my baby’s first fever was one of my scariest motherhood moments,” Altmann said. “It’s important for moms to remember to stay calm if their child isn’t feeling well or has a fever, as there are steps you can take to get your child healthy and achieve that ’feel better’ smile in no time.”
To help keep your child healthy and comfortable during cold-and-flu season, Altmann recommends the following:
Protect the family from harmful germs. Be sure to wash your child’s hands, and your own, often when entering the house, before eating and after using the bathroom. Make this a year-round and daily habit, not only during flu and cold season. If you’re on the go, hand sanitizer and wipes are a quick alternative;
Ease congestion. If your child has a stuffy nose, use a drop or two of nasal saline in each nostril. If the stuffiness keeps your little one from sleeping or eating, try gentle suctioning, which will help remove mucus from their nose. You can also run a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer in your child’s bedroom at night to help alleviate congestion. Remember to clean the humidifier often;
Know when to consult your pediatrician. If your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 100.4 or higher, always call your pediatrician before treating. For older children, pay attention to your child’s activity level as it can give you a good idea of whether he or she needs to see a doctor;
Don’t panic. If your child develops a fever, stay calm – it can often be relieved at home with a fever reducer, like Children’s or Infants’ Tylenol. Always make sure to use the dosing device that came with the product and talk to your doctor for dosing children under 2 years of age. Remember to always use the product as directed;
Help boost the family’s immune system. A well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to keep your family as healthy as possible. Foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and lots of water should be part of your child’s daily menu in order to help keep their immune system strong and healthy;
Adopt a good sleep routine. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. School-age children should get at least 10 hours of sleep per day. For toddlers, it’s important to keep those busy hands and feet at rest for at least 12 hours; and
Vaccinate. The Centers for Disease Control recommends flu vaccinations for everyone over 6 months of 3 years of age. If your baby is younger than six months, you can protect your child by vaccinating everyone else around them, including parents, grandparents, siblings and other caregivers. Talk to your child’s doctor to see if vaccination is appropriate.
For more children’s health tips and informational videos from Altmann, visit SmilingItForward.com. While there, Tylenol is encouraging moms to also share photos of their children’s “feel better” smiles. Each approved smile shared will trigger a $1 donation to Children’s Health Fund, up to $100,000, to help ensure a doctor’s visit is always within reach for children in need.