Many parents get stressed just thinking about how to dress their children especially when the weather is changing, but it should be realized that it is so easy, just remember this rule – USE YOUR INSTINCT.

Some people always advise the mothers to be very careful and be very gradual removing one layer every number of days, but it is not that complicated. If you are faced with a very warm day, surely you have to dress your child much lighter and the same applies if the weather changes to much colder on the next day or even the same evening. The changing of clothing depends on the weather you have on that day not on whether this time of the year is considered winter or summer or any season. This is exactly the same if you move from one city in Europe visiting another city in the Gulf area, for example.

Another point always arises about how to dress your child when he or she has a common cold. The answer is so simple, dress normal without any overdressing. When the child is feverish, don’t overdress as well, so as to give a chance for the body to lose its fever.

Dressing a newborn baby can be more complicated due to his ability to lose or acquire temperature quickly, so it is advised to dress him one layer more than an adult would. With newborns, it is wise to check the baby’s temperature on a daily basis for the first few months, and surely this will give you a clue on how to dress the infant.

- Feeding a Sick Child - 

If the child has a common cold:

• The question always arises, if there are some items within foods that are forbidden.
• The simple answer is NO, nothing is forbidden, but it has been proven that animal proteins, especially eggs and fish can prolong or increase the severity of the common cold. So eating these foods should be minimized during the course of a common cold.
• Also, supplying the child with fruits, especially citrus fruits and green vegetables rich in vitamin C, is much appreciated during a bout of the common cold.

• Feeding the child with ample amounts of fluids is mandatory. Next, supplement small amounts of carbohydrates like bread, plain biscuits and plain pasta.
• What should be preferably avoided are acidic citrus fruits and animal proteins, especially in the first few days of gastroenteritis.
• Fatty and creamy stuff should be totally avoided until the child gets back to normal and can tolerate such heavy foods.

- Dr Rafeek Ramzy Mickail
Pediatrician and Neonatologist
Member of American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Member of Egyptian Pediatric Association (EPA)
Member of Egyptian Society for Neonatal and Preterm Care (ESNPC)