Our back-to-school tips!

The most common ailments associated with going back to school and how to support them!

Back to school is over, fall is settling in, and temperatures are dropping… a transition period that can be tiring and weaken our bodies and our natural defenses. It’s best to react quickly if you feel a cold or cough coming on, so be prepared and have a solution at hand.

COLD

With no surprise, the common cold is the most common infection which comes back with school or day care! Symptoms are nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing. Common cold does not require antibiotics. Here are some tips to relieve it:

• Nasal rinse with a suitable solution is recommended as a first line of defense.
• Give your child packages tissues so he can blow his nose and can change them often.
• Air-out your home regularly. A confined interior encourages the proliferation of viruses.
• Teach your child to wash his hands often.

Our essential to keep at hand for cold: Coryzalia!

Coryzalia by Boiron is a homeopathic medicine from 1 month, used for colds and cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, rhinitis (acute, recurrent, infectious, or allergic) *.

Available in easy-to-administer drinkable unit-doses, Coryzalia is sugar-free, dye-free, and preservative-free. Its neutral taste facilitates the take and helps the child to have his smile back.

*This claim is based on traditional homeopathic references and not modern scientific evidence.

 Boiron Canada (@boironcanada) | Instagram 

“ We’ve been hit! The cold & flu season has started to rampage our house! But thanks to @boironcanada … I was ready for this one.

I feel like my kids always wake up in the middle of the night with a cold, so being prepared and having all these remedies on hand puts me at ease during the fall and winter season. Boiron for the win again!” @Perfectlittlechaos

COUGH

Coughs are common during childhood respiratory infections. On average, over a one-year period, children in good health have 7 to 10 bouts of upper respiratory tract infection that can cause a cough ^(a).

What is a cough?

A cough is not a disease, but a natural bodily reaction after the respiratory tract has come into contact with external agents (bacteria, viruses, pollution) or allergens (pollen).

It is a defense reflex that allows you to expel a foreign body or bronchial secretions via the respiratory tract. Cough is a symptom to be mindful of. It may indicate a viral or bacterial respiratory tract infection (rhinopharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, acute bronchitis,).

DRY OR WET COUGH? IN BRIEF…

• • If you are coughing up phlegm, you have a wet cough.
  • If you are not coughing up anything, you have a dry cough.

  These two types of coughs can also be differentiated by their very different sounds.

How to relieve simple coughs? Here are a few tips ^(b):

When suffering from a cough, it is important to stay hydrated to thin out mucus. Here are few tips:

• Gargle at least once every hour with 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt dissolved in 240 ml (8 oz) of warm water.
• Moisten the air to prevent further irritation of mucous membranes. The humidity in the room should be kept at 55%.
• Stay hydrated: Drink water and hot beverages with lemon and honey.
• Elevate the head of your bed in case of nocturnal coughing.

Try Stodal to relieve dry or wet coughs*

Boiron homeopathic syrup, available for children, ages 1 to 11 as well as adults, can be a good solution to provide relief from dry or wet coughs, irritating cough, or cough with phlegm*. Stodal Honey is a real honey-based syrup which does not contain coloring and does not cause drowsiness. A must in the family pharmacy!

Your child suffers from cold and cough at the same time? Try Stodal multi-symptoms by Boiron! For children from 1 year, it’s used for cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing; minor sore throat, dry or wet cough, chest congestion*. This Boiron homeopathic syrup is non-drowsy and dye-free.

*This claim is based on traditional homeopathic references and not modern scientific evidence.

Of course, in case of fever or if symptoms persist or worsen, consult a health care practitioner.

STRESS

Returning to school after a long break can be stressful for children. This is normal. Children can have a lot of questions: who will be the new teacher? Will they be with their same friends in class? Will they succeed in studying? Will it be complicated? Are their outfits ok?

Children can worry because they don’t know what to expect. So many questions that can lead to anxious feelings.

How to help your child to cope with back-to-school transient anxiety? Here are few tips…

1.Instore back to school sleep habits

We know bedtime can change during holidays and are more flexible. To be prepared to head back to school, it’s important to come back to “usual” bedtimes. It will make the transition easier, and it will help your child to have enough sleep. Ensuring a good night’s sleep is crucial to avoid stress.

2.Encourage your child to speak about his or her anxiety.

Children may not very easily speak about their stress. However, since you know them better than anyone (of course!) you are well placed to notice your child is stressed. If they cry more than often, or seem more sensitive than usual, and may even needs more time with you…

Ask them questions about how they are feeling. What is making them anxious? Is there anything he or she needs to be more familiar with? How to get to school? Who will be his classmates…?

You will probably be able to answer their questions and better prepare their back-to-school and make it a less stressful time for them.

3.Have balanced diet.

Having a healthy diet is important to cope with stress.  So, make sure your child eats a well-balanced diet. Breakfast is particularly important. It will help to make the back-to-school a nice time of the year for them. A good breakfast will also help your child to stay focused in class.

4.Try homeopathy.

When some help is needed, homeopathy can be a good solution to ease back some of the school-related stress.

For example, Quietude children is a homeopathic medicine for the relief of mild sleeping disorders (nightmares, night terrors, occasional sleeplessness), irritability and restlessness associated with nervousness. It is suitable for children from 6 months to 11 years. Quietude does not contain sugar, dye, or preservatives.

The pre-measured unit-doses make it easy to give and its neutral taste facilitates taking it.

Back to School can be a complicated time of the year but we hope you feel more comfortable now!  We wish you a happy and easy return back to school to you and your family!

(a) Source: Shield MD et al. BTS guidelines: recommendations for the assessment and management of cough in children. Thorax 2008 ; 63 (suppl) iii5-iii15

(b) Toux: Les 20 meilleurs remèdes naturels efficaces contre la toux (selection.ca)