Tips to Help Keep your Toddler Healthy in Preschool

I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-888- 777-3395.

My daughter started preschool this past summer and I was prepared for separation anxiety and getting adjusted to a new routine but I was not prepared for the illnesses that came along with starting preschool!

When you put a bunch of little kids together, the germs will spread and sickness is kind of inevitable. Plus, when your child is sick, the rest of the family can end up getting sick as well.

I use a few tried and true tips to help keep my toddler healthy while she is in preschool. I wanted to share them with you as well in case your child is starting school this year.

This is not medical advice, they are just some everyday tips that you can use to help prevent illness for you and your little one. 

Keep Hand Sanitizer Nearby

One thing that I started doing was to keep a small container of hand sanitizer in my purse. When I pick up my daughter from preschool, I always put some in her hands when she gets in the car.

This has really helped keep the germs away. You won’t be bringing home any germs to spread around your home later in the day.

This also goes along with teaching your kids the proper way to wash their hands so when they are at school they are already used to washing hands before eating or after using the bathroom.

Rest

Another way to help stay healthy is by making sure your child gets plenty of rest. My daughter’s preschool has a playground and  a gym where they do tumbling and gymnastics for 20 minutes each day.

After all of that playing and running around, she is pretty exhausted when she gets home. I usually make her try to take a nap, which is getting harder to do now that she is three.

If she won’t take a nap, I make her sit on the couch to have some quiet time. She can color or watch a movie, but at least her body is resting.

It is recommended that a toddler gets 8-10 hours of sleep a night. So it is important to make sure they are getting the proper amount of sleep to stay healthy and keep their immune system strong.

Proper Nutrition

One of the most important ways to help keep your toddler healthy in preschool is by giving them the proper nutrition that they need. That can be easier said than done if you have a picky eater.

My daughter is super picky so I try to use hidden veggie recipes to sneak some more nutrients in her diet.

I also pack her lunchbox with some fresh fruit, cheese, or snack bars to make sure she gets some healthy snacks while she is at school. We are still trying to get her to snack on fresh veggies….but that is a work in progress!

Wipe Down their Bags

Another easy way to keep the germs out of your house is by wiping down their backpacks and lunchboxes.

I usually take a disinfecting wipe and wipe the inside and outside of her bags once a week.

Prepare for Illness

No matter how OCD you are about keeping things clean and germ-free, sickness is still going to happen so it is always good to be prepared by keeping the right medicines and supplies on hand.

My daughter got sick the very first week she started preschool….the first week!

She caught a stomach bug and was absolutely miserable for 2-3 days. Let’s just say we went through a lot of changing clothes, sheets, and pajamas that week!

I was afraid that she was losing too much fluid so I gave her Enfamil® Enfalyte® to help replenish her electrolytes and give her the proper hydration she needed to get better.

If your child gets sick, this is a good list to figure out if they are dehydrated and may need some Enfalyte as well. Always talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about dehydration.

Like I said, my daughter is very picky, but she gladly drank the Enfalyte. It is a clear liquid that comes in two flavors, Cherry Splash and Mixed Fruit.

We had the Mixed Fruit and my daughter loved the taste. That made it a lot easier on both of us!

You can find more information about Enfalyte and where you can purchase it here. They have a Spanish version of the site as well.

 

Preschool is a new adventure for both of us and I am so excited for her to start again this fall. Hopefully, some of these tips will help you keep your toddler healthy in preschool, especially during cold and flu season!

 

This is sponsored by Enfamil® Enfalyte® Oral Electrolyte Solution.