While winter brings some magical snow days and snuggles by the fireplace, it also brings with it the unwanted chill and dreaded winter sniffles. From dressing for warmth to ensuring a balanced diet, we’ve pulled together some little tips to keep your little one warm and well during the winter months.  

Keeping your little one warm  

• Sleeping snug: For bedtime, dress your little one in a cosy one-piece sleep suit to keep them warm all night. To ensure your child doesn’t overheat, you can feel their tummy (it should feel warm - not hot, cold or sweaty). 
• Layer up: Dress your child in lightweight layers that are easy to remove so you can adjust to the temperature. 
• Beanie time: Little ones lose a lot of heat through their heads, so if you’re heading out, a warm little beanie will do the trick. 
• Cosy in the car: Instead of bulky clothing, keep a warm blanket in the car for chilly days.  

Staying sniffle-free 

• Focus on zinc intake: Zinc can help your little one fight off illness, so try to incorporate some red meat and fish for a little extra support.
• Increase antioxidants: Ensure your little one’s plate is naturally colourful by including bright, nutrient-rich fruits and veggies such as kiwifruit, capsicum, carrots, pumpkin, and oranges. 
• Include Fermented Foods: Sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha are great for supporting the immune system and the gut microbiome, all while being rich in essential nutrients.
• Embrace exposure to microbes: Remember that exposure to microbes is good for your little one's immunity, and spending time outdoors helps our little ones get exposed to a variety of microbes that can support their immune health. 
• Reduce sugar intake: Help your little one fight off winter sniffles by reducing sugar intake. Too much sugar weakens white blood cells, which are super important for fighting infections. Remember, you don’t need to be perfect. Sweet treats are perfectly fine on occasion, and we recommend baking at home so you can control the amount of sugar in your goodies.  
• Enjoy some sunshine: Vitamin D is super important for immune health, so whenever you can, soak up some sunshine with your little one. 

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LittleOak has been nourishing children for many years and feeds millions of infants, babies and children across the globe each and every day, in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. In the US, we're proud to have our FDA compliant Toddler Milk available for families.