How to temper a baby. Types of hardening procedures. Swimming in the sea, reservoirs, indoor and outdoor pools

16.07.2019

Hardening is a set of measures designed to improve the body's resistance to adverse environmental conditions. The most important advantage of hardening is the reduction in the number of respiratory viral diseases suffered per year, or their complete exclusion.

Of course, there is no complete certainty that the child will not get sick at all after hardening, but the disease will be much easier, and the body will recover faster.

In addition, when the hardening process is approached correctly, children tend to feel more energetic, less tired, develop faster, have no problems with the skin or digestive system, and also have fewer allergic manifestations.

Rules for hardening in childhood

Usually the use of tempering procedures is typical for children with weak immunity. But before you start hardening a child, you should understand the basic rules of hardening:

The child must be healthy. A sick or not fully recovered baby should not be given any hardening procedures, since this can only harm a fragile body and lead to complications.
By the beginning of hardening, you should prepare in advance: set aside the time when the procedures will be carried out, prepare the child for the procedures themselves.
Everything has to come gradually. For example, you can not abruptly start pouring cold water on the baby. At first, when taking an evening bath or shower, the water temperature should be comfortable, then it can be reduced a little.
All procedures should be carried out sequentially. To begin with, the baby must adapt, for example, to air baths, and after that you can proceed to hardening with water.
It is necessary to ensure the systematic hardening procedures. Ideally, if the activities will be held daily, and will enter the baby's daily routine.
Optimistic mood. The child should approach the procedure in a good mood, this largely determines the positive result. This is especially important to take into account when performing the first procedure - if the baby is upset with something, then the procedure should be postponed the next day.

Do not arrange excessive stress on the body, try to prevent sudden hypothermia or overheating of the child.
Before starting hardening procedures, you should consult with your pediatrician about the presence of contraindications. For example, in the presence of chronic diseases of the kidneys or heart, water procedures with a decrease in the degree of water are prohibited. If the health of your baby during hardening began to deteriorate sharply, we recommend that you immediately consult a doctor.
Individual approach. All children are different and require a personal approach to each of them. Perhaps some procedure will not be to your liking, in which case you should not insist. Before you begin to harden your child, try all the procedures on yourself.

What types of hardening exist?

All hardening methods can be divided into general and special. The general ones include such as a competent daily routine, rational nutrition and physical education.

The main assistants in special methods of hardening a child are natural sources, such as air, water and the sun.

Therefore, special hardening can be conditionally divided into three main components: hardening with air, water and the sun.

How to temper a baby with air?

This method is the easiest to perform and is suitable for every baby, without exception, even babies.

Air quenching includes:

being outdoors,
regular ventilation of the room,
the right choice of clothes for the crumbs,
taking air baths,
walking barefoot.

Walking in the air

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of walking in the fresh air: they strengthen the immune system, increase the child's physical activity, charge him with positive and good mood.

Walking on the street is worth it for kids in any weather conditions, the duration of the walk, depending on the weather, should be from one to six hours a day or more.

It is very useful for babies to sleep outside in the open air. The duration of their sleep can be from 10-15 minutes in winter to three hours in summer or more. However, do not forget that if the temperature outside is below 15 ° C, the walk time should be reduced in order to prevent hypothermia in the child.

Regular ventilation of the apartment

It is necessary to ventilate the room in which the baby lives at least four times a day, while in the summer in the heat the windows can not be closed at all. The temperature in the house should not be less than 18 ° C, the optimum temperature is considered to be around 22 ° C.

Clothes by temperature

It is very important for parents not to “wrap up” the baby from his birth in order to prevent him from overheating or fogging. The clothes of the baby should meet the principles: light, comfortable and dry.

It is better to give preference to fabrics made from natural materials that allow air to circulate freely and the skin to “breathe”.

Air baths

Air baths are also allowed to be used from birth. So, for example, before going to bed or after waking up your child, let him lie down naked for one or two minutes.

The temperature in the apartment with each new procedure should be lowered gradually (over several months) to 14-16 ° C. The duration of this procedure should also be added gradually up to 15-20 minutes.

During physical education or active games, a minimum amount of clothing should be left on the crumbs. It is also allowed to arrange contrast air baths by running with the child from a room with cold air to a room with warm air.

Walking barefoot

Walking barefoot is not only a strong immunostimulating procedure, but an excellent prevention of flat feet. It is better to start walking barefoot first at home, and then connect walks on the street in the warm season - first on grass and sand, and then on shells, pebbles, gravel.

At the same time, make sure that the baby does not get hurt by fragments or debris during such walks. It is better if they take place in safe places or in a closed area: in the garden, in the country, on the beach.

How to temper a child with water?

Hardening with water is one of the most effective means, however, it should be started only after mastering air hardening. Lowering the water temperature should be done gradually, avoiding a sharp drop in degrees in order to avoid hypothermia of the child.

Hardening with water also includes several procedures:

wiping with a towel soaked in cool water,
washing with cool or cold water,
cool and contrast shower,
dousing with cool or cold water,
swimming in open water.

Dry and wet rubdowns

Rubbing is allowed to begin to apply from two months of age. As preparatory procedures, it is worth using dry rubbing. They are carried out as follows: a clean terry mitten or towel is taken and with its help the baby's skin is rubbed to a slight reddening.

Only after the crumbs have adapted to dry rubbing, you can proceed to wiping with a damp towel. During the first procedure, the water temperature should be about 35 ° C. Then every 3-4 days you can lower it by about a degree.

The procedure is simple:

First, the child wipes the arms and legs in the direction from the fingers up the limbs to the body.
Then the areas of the chest and back, following from the middle to the sides.
Finish the procedure with the abdominal area, wiping it clockwise.

washing

Washing with cool water should also be introduced gradually. Start washing your baby with warm water at 28-29°C and gradually lower the water temperature to 20°C.

After walking, washing hands can also be done with cool water, however, you should first make sure that the baby’s hands are warm.

If the child is cold, do not worsen his condition with cold water. If a baby asks to play with water during the day, do not forbid him to do this, put, for example, a basin with boats for him - let him splash.

Cool and contrast shower

Showering or taking a bath should be a daily evening ritual. At the end of bathing, the temperature of the shower can be slightly lowered, but you need to start with a temperature that is comfortable for the baby, reducing it gradually.

Another effective method of hardening is taking a contrast shower. The greater the temperature difference, the greater the effect. But, of course, you should start with a small difference. You can also do this procedure with your baby.

To begin with, it is worth warming up the child's feet, hands, back with warm water, then pour cool water over him, while quickly pouring cold water over his hands, feet, back and switch to warm water again.

Do this procedure three more times and finish with a cold douche, then wrap the child in a towel.

Dousing with cold water

You can finish the evening bath with a douche. Pouring involves drenching the body immediately with a large amount of water from two liters. You should start with 36 C °, gradually lowering the temperature by one or two degrees.

At first, you can replace this procedure with dousing your feet with cool water. Pouring feet also produces a good immune-stimulating effect.

Swimming in open water

Swimming in open water combines the hardening effect of cool water and physical activity. The temperature in the reservoir or pool for the first procedures should not be lower than 22 ° C.

It is also worth regulating the time the child is in the water - the younger the baby, the less the bathing procedure should take.

If a child has "goosebumps", trembling, blue lips - it means that he has the first signs of hypothermia. You should immediately take him out of the water, wrap him in a towel and give him a drink of warm water or tea.

How to temper children with the sun?

Hardening by the sun means taking sun and light-air baths. To start tempering a child in this way, as in previous cases, should be gradual, after a little preparation and adaptation to new conditions.

Sunbathing

Sunbathing begins with walking or staying on the beach in the shade of trees. At the same time, the temperature outside should be in the range from 22 ° C to 29 ° C, and a headdress must certainly be on the child’s head.

After a couple of days, you can expose the child’s arms and legs for local (partial) sunbathing and take him out into the sun (attention! not in the sun, but from 9 to 11 or from 16 to 18 hours), stay there for 5 minutes, and then go back into the shadows.

When the child has the first tan, you can undress him to his panties. Gradually increase the one-time session of being in the sun from 5 to 10 minutes. In this case, the total time spent in the sun should not exceed 50 minutes.

During and after sunbathing, it is necessary to offer the baby enough water. And remember that it is better to take sunbaths from 9 am to 11 am and after 4 pm, when the activity of the sun is not so pronounced. After exposure to the sun, the child can be doused with cool water.

Taking light baths

Light-air baths are a complex method that includes sunbathing in the presence of a slight wind. At the same time, the temperature outside should not be below 19 ° C. Preparation and carrying out of the procedure is similar to the method of hardening by the sun described above.

If the child sweats a lot and his face is reddened, this may indicate overheating. It is urgent to take him into the shade, give him a drink and wash with cool water.

To achieve the most pronounced effect of hardening, it is very desirable to combine all the above methods in combination.

In recent years, the number of sick children has increased significantly due to the unfavorable state of the environment, poor heredity, poor-quality health care, and a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to increase the resistance of the child's body to the negative effects of environmental factors through systematic hardening. It is most correct to start easy hardening of babies from birth, then by the age of three they will be prepared to increase the duration of the procedures. Quite often, an unhardened child has headaches, dizziness, low hemoglobin content, which can adversely affect both the physical and mental development of the baby. That is why the issue of hardening children of 3 years old becomes extremely relevant.

Before proceeding with hardening procedures, you should consult with a specialist about which procedures can be used for your child. In addition, it is imperative to monitor the absence of negative emotions in children so that hardening brings joy to children. It is believed that one of the most important hardening procedures are air baths. The child must be constantly taken out into the fresh air, where it is useful to do gymnastic exercises or play outdoor games. When hardening children of 3 years old, it is important that the child's breathing apparatus is constantly working. The combination of air baths with physical exercises is a favorable moment not only for the temperature effect on the body, but also for the ingress of oxygen through the skin into the blood. After all, it is well known that at an early age the permeability of the skin is very high. If it is pouring rain or a piercing wind outside the window, pre-ventilate through and do physical education with the child in the room. You can use household air conditioners that automatically regulate the temperature and humidity of the room. Air baths should be carried out systematically, at any time of the year, then they will have the maximum effect.

Water procedures are considered the third most important type of hardening. At the age of three, you can use general rubdowns, douches. Such mandatory procedures as washing, washing, bathing are also water hardening. The optimum water temperature should first be 27 °, then gradually it can be reduced. Taking a shower has a stronger hardening effect, because here an additional mechanical effect is included. Quite common and extremely useful is the contrasting alternating dousing of the child's legs with cool and warm water at a minimum temperature of 20 °.

Non-traditional ways of hardening children of 3 years old, as a rule, are associated with a short-term contact of the child's naked body with ice water, snow, and air at a negative temperature. Medical workers are extremely negative about such hardening procedures, because they can lead to chronic diseases. Temper your kids the right way!

In winter, children get sick especially often. Simple hardening procedures can help support their body.

Factors predisposing to frequent diseases are: an abundance of contacts with children and adults with acute respiratory diseases, the immaturity of the body's defense systems at preschool age, the adverse effects of environmental factors, improper organization of the daily routine, excessive "wrapping" of children by parents according to the principle "Siberian is the one who is warmer dresses”, lack of vitamins and microelements in the diet, lack of regular hardening measures.

All this poses a threat to the normal physical development of the child and is a serious problem for parents, both psychological and material. Often a child treated for a respiratory infection becomes ill again after a short period of time, not having time to recover from the previous illness. In this regard, mothers and fathers, afraid of catching a cold, do not walk with them in cool weather, dress excessively warmly, do not ventilate their apartments, and do not wash themselves with cold water. But all their efforts are not successful. As a result of "greenhouse" education, the child's body becomes pampered, weak. Often, mothers, disappointed in traditional medicine, in desperation turn to various healers and healers, with a vain hope for a quick cure.

A real healing effect can be achieved with the help of regular hardening measures, especially in combination with parallel drug immunocorrection aimed at increasing the body's defenses, which can result in a decrease and alleviation of respiratory diseases, and in an ideal situation, the occurrence of acute respiratory viral infections no more than 1-2 times in year.

The meaning of hardening is in repeated loads of the same type, most often cold ones, as a result of which training is developed in relation to these loads, protective reactions of the immune system are turned on, which means that resistance to colds also increases, first of all, and also affects all other functions of the body - appetite and assimilation of food improve, growth normalizes, mental and physical performance increases, a joyful mood appears.

Parents should remember that the training effect of hardening procedures does not last long, especially in preschool children, it is about 3-10 days, while to achieve this effect, a period of at least a month is required, and for weakened children and more. You should not force the complication of hardening procedures, as this can lead to a breakdown in adaptation mechanisms and the emergence and resumption of recurrent diseases.

Basic hardening rules:

1. Hardening procedures should be carried out only if the child is healthy. You can start in any season of the year, but it is better in the summer.

2. Continuity. If the cold factor affects the body systematically, repeatedly, there is a rapid reaction of blood vessels to the influence of low air and water temperatures. On the contrary, the randomness of hardening procedures, long breaks reduce the body's resistance, can lead to the opposite effect.

3. Graduality. It is unacceptable, having decided to harden a child, immediately douse him with cool water, send him for walks in inclement weather lightly dressed. This will certainly lead to the fact that the baby will catch a cold, and the mother will henceforth be afraid of hardening, like “fire”. You need to start carefully, moving on to stronger hardening procedures gradually.

5. Constantly monitor the child's reaction to hardening procedures. If during dousing or taking an air bath the baby trembles, his skin becomes “goose-eyed”, then he has not yet adapted to this temperature. The next time the procedure should be carried out, starting with the dosage that did not cause any negative effects.

6. It is necessary to strive to ensure that hardening is liked by children, perceived by them as fun.

7. When the temperature rises, runny nose, cough, loose stools - it is necessary to suspend hardening or carry out at a gentle level. Hypotrophy, anemia, rickets are not contraindications to hardening.

8. Starting hardening, create healthy living conditions for the child, a normal psychological atmosphere in the family, and sufficient sleep. It is necessary to cross-ventilate the room at least 4-5 times a day, each time for at least 10-15 minutes.

9. Children 1.5 years and older need to walk at least twice a day for 2.5-3 hours. In winter, at lower temperatures, walking time is limited. Children from the age of 2.5-3 years can be taught to ski, skate, scooter, bicycle. In the summer, it is not necessary to prohibit playing in the water, walking barefoot on the ground, on the grass, on the sand by the river. Clothing is of great importance: it is important that it is in size, the child does not freeze in it and does not overheat. All these measures also have a certain hardening effect.

Special hardening activities are: ultraviolet irradiation, gymnastics, massage, air, light-air, water procedures, including swimming, reflexology, sauna.

In different age periods, hardening is carried out in different ways, according to the principle from simple to complex.

hardening methods:

1. Air baths: in the winter in the room, in the summer on the street at a temperature of + 22 + 28 C, better in the morning. You can start from the age of two months, at first for 1 minute 2-3 times a day, after 5 days increase the time by 1 minute, bringing it up to 15 minutes by 6 months and up to +16 C by the year.

2. Hardening by sunlight: better in the shade of trees, in calm weather, at an air temperature not lower than +22 C. Starting from the age of 1.5-2 years, children can sunbathe in panties alone, duration from 3 to 10 minutes, increasing by 7 -10 days to 20-25 minutes. The optimal time is from 9 to 12 noon.

It is unacceptable for children to stay "in the sun" at an air temperature of +30 C and above, due to possible overheating.

3. Wet wiping: carried out with a piece of clean flannel soaked in water and wrung out, once a day for 1-2 minutes. Start with the arms - from the fingers to the shoulder, then the legs, chest, stomach and back until slight redness. Water temperature at the age of 3-4 years +32 C, 5-6 years +30 C, 6-7 years +28 C; after 3-4 days, reduce by 1 C and bring to +22 +18 C in summer and +25 +22 C in winter. At the end, the child should be warmly dressed. In case of a break, start with dry rubdowns.

4. Hardening of the oropharynx: rinsing the oropharynx with any disinfectant herb 3-4 times a day (better after visiting kindergarten, school, cinema, etc.). After preparation, divide the infusion in half, rinse alternately, once a week reduce the temperature in the second glass by 0.5-1 C. Start with a temperature of +24 +25 C.

5. Foot baths: dousing the feet for 20-30 seconds with water at a temperature of +32 +34 C, with a gradual decrease once a week by 1 C to +10 C. You can alternate cold and warm dousing, 3-6 times. At the end, the legs are rubbed until the pink color of the skin.

6. General dousing: start from 9-10 months, do not douse the head, while the child is standing or sitting. Water temperature at the age of up to one year +36 C, 1-3 years +34 C, over 3 years +33 C. Gradually decreasing by 1 C per week, to +28 C in winter and +22 C in summer. Duration up to 1.5 minutes. After rubbing the body with a towel until pink.

7. Shower: after 1.5 years. Better in the morning for 30-90 seconds at a water temperature of +34 C, gradually decreasing to +28 C in winter, and +22 C in summer.

8. Bath (sauna): start with one run for 5-7 minutes on the bottom step (shelf), it is advisable to put a wool cap on the child's head. In the future, the number of visits increases up to three times. After each entry, you need to cool down for 10 minutes, preferably in the shower. In the bath and after visiting it, you need to take a small amount of berry juice or herbal tea. You can visit the bath from 2-3 years of age. Visiting the bath is contraindicated for children with severe chronic and congenital diseases.

9. Swimming: one of the most effective forms of hardening. Combines the influence of water, air, temperature, physical activity of the child. You can start training from the first months of life, but under the obligatory guidance of an experienced instructor.

10. Effective hardening measures are physiotherapy exercises and massage, which should be carried out by qualified specialists.

Hardening can be carried out for most children, but you should first contact your pediatrician at the place of residence, it is desirable to follow a certain sequence in increasing hardening loads. It is especially important to harden when preparing children for attending kindergarten or school.

The health of the baby depends on many factors: heredity, living conditions, nutrition, and so on. But for the most part, of course, it depends on the lifestyle for which the mother is responsible. Hardening has always gone hand in hand with the concept of a healthy lifestyle, and this issue does not lose its relevance to this day, despite the fact that many children are raised practically in "greenhouse" conditions.

So, how to temper your child, and should it be done?

What is hardening, and how is it useful for a child?

The term "hardening" is commonly understood as a system of specific training in the body of thermoregulatory processes, consisting of procedures that increase immunity and overall endurance of the body.

Of course, hardening has both opponents (where without them) and supporters. But in general, subject to the rules, hardening is extremely beneficial , and the arguments of the opponents, as a rule, are based on the results of illiterate procedures.

Video: How to temper a child?

Hardening: what is the use?

Strengthening immunity. A hardened organism has a lower sensitivity to any temperature changes, which means a higher resistance to seasonal diseases.
Prevention of varicose veins.
Beneficial effect on the skin (skin cells begin to work even more actively).
Normalization of the nervous system. That is, calming properties, elimination of stress, overwork and a general increase in the body's resistance to psychological problems.
Stimulation of the endocrine system - which, in turn, has a positive effect on other processes in the body.
General improvement in well-being, a surge of strength. Hardening promotes increased blood circulation and subsequent active saturation of cells with oxygen.

In addition, it is worth noting that hardening is a very effective alternative to medications called for.

The result of the procedures is faster and longer than with immunostimulants, and besides, it is safe.

Video: The pros of hardening a child and the basic rules

At what age to start hardening children at home - is early hardening harmful?

When to start?

This question worries every mother, for whom a healthy lifestyle for her child comes first.

Exactly, not immediately after the hospital!

It is clear that it is better to start tempering a baby from an early age, but the baby's body is still too weak to bring down new tests on it.

Some experts argue that crumbs can be introduced to hardening already on the 10th day after birth, but most pediatricians still agree that it is better to wait a month or two. Especially, .

Naturally, procedures should be started only after consulting a pediatrician , examining the baby and taking into account his state of health.

It is important to remember that the body of a newborn is still weak, and in the presence of any hidden diseases, such procedures can dramatically worsen the health of the baby.

In addition, hypothermia of the crumbs, the thermoregulation of which has not yet been established (note - cooling occurs much faster and stronger than in adults!), Can cause the development of various diseases.

Therefore, it is better to give the crumbs time to get stronger and “build up” their own immunity.

Everything you need to know and do before hardening a child - a memo to parents

In order for hardening to bring exclusively benefit to the child, the mother must remember the following rules for carrying out these procedures (regardless of their form and type):

First of all - consult a pediatrician! He will decide whether the crumbs have contraindications to the procedures, whether they will aggravate his state of health if there are any problems, he will tell you what is absolutely impossible to do, and will help you choose the best way to harden.
If the doctor does not mind, and there are no health problems, and the baby’s mood is conducive to procedures, choose a hardening method .
The time of the procedure. It is important to understand that the hardening effect directly depends on whether you perform the procedures on an ongoing basis. 1-2 hardening at 2 weeks and at different times will only undermine the health of the baby. The procedure should take place at the same time and on a regular basis - that is, constantly. Only then will it make sense.
Load intensity. First of all, it should increase gradually. It is clear that you cannot pour ice water on a baby and dream that now he will be healthy, like a hero. The intensity of the load should not be too strong, but not too weak (airing the heels at room temperature for 2 minutes, of course, will not do anything), and it should be increased gradually - from procedure to procedure.
The mood and condition of the baby. It is not recommended to carry out such procedures if the baby is in a bad mood. Hardening should bring only positive emotions, otherwise it does not go for the future. That is why it is recommended to carry out procedures in a playful way with the absolute involvement of all family members in them. And procedures are strictly prohibited if the baby is sick.
Do not start the process of hardening the child with dousing with cold water. This is stressful even for an adult organism, and even more so for a baby. Start with air baths, frequent airing, sleeping in a room with an open window, and so on.
Hardening should take place in combination with other activities: proper nutrition, physical activity and walks,.
Many mothers think that cold water and the “breathtaking” effect are important in hardening. In fact, the impact contrast that matters in hardening is achieved not only with a bucket of ice water: it is important to train the properties of blood vessels to change their gaps according to outside temperature.
The feet are the most sensitive to changes in temperature. (the face and palms, which are constantly open, do not need much hardening), due to the large number of receptors on them.

What not to do:

Immediately start with extreme procedures.
Carry out procedures in a room where a draft walks.
Get involved in the procedure. The maximum period for her is 10-20 minutes.
Temper the baby when he is sick. You can return to the procedures no earlier than 10-14 days after acute respiratory infections and 4-5 weeks after pneumonia.
To force the child to temper, to carry out procedures by force.
Allow hypothermia.

Contraindications:

Any infectious, viral or other disease in the acute stage.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system. When cooled, the vessels shrink, and the consequences for the “problem” heart can be very serious.
Diseases of the nervous system. In this case, low temperature is an irritant.
Skin diseases.
Diseases of the respiratory system.

Methods for hardening children at home - hardening procedures, video

When choosing a hardening method, it is important to understand that the age of the child is of great importance.

If a teenager can be cheerfully poured with cool water in the summer in the country and not worry about the consequences, then for a baby such a “procedure” can result in pneumonia.

Therefore, for newborns, we choose the most gentle hardening methods, and increase the intensity of hardening GRADUALLY!

How to temper a baby - the main ways:

Frequent ventilation of the room. In the summer, the window can not be closed at all, and in the cold season - open 4-5 times a day for 10-15 minutes. An important rule is to avoid drafts. You can also use modern technology, which will not only regulate the temperature, but also humidify / purify the air.
Sleep with an open window or on the balcony in a stroller. Naturally, leaving the crumbs alone on the balcony is prohibited. You can start with 15 minutes and then increase the time of sleeping outdoors to 40-60 minutes. Of course, you don’t need to do this in the cold (minus 5 for a baby is a reason to stay at home). But in the summer, you can sleep (walk) on the street as much as you like (if the baby is full, dry and hidden from mosquitoes and the sun).
Air baths. This procedure can be started right in the hospital. After changing the diaper, the baby should be left naked for a while. Air baths should be started at a temperature of 21-22 degrees from 1-3 minutes, and then gradually reduce it and increase the bathing time to 30 minutes by 1 year.
Gradual decrease in water temperature when bathing a baby. With each bath, it is lowered by 1 degree. Or they douse the crumbs after bathing with water, the temperature of which is lower than that in the bath by 1-2 degrees.
Wash with cool water for 1-2 minutes. From a warm temperature, gradually reduce to a cold one (from 28 to 21 degrees).
Wiping with a wet towel. A mitten or a towel is moistened in water, the temperature of which does not exceed 32-36 degrees, after which the arms and legs are gently wiped from the limbs to the body for 2-3 minutes. Within 5 days, the temperature is reduced to 27-28 degrees.

How to temper an older baby?

Wiping and washing with cool water remains valid for any age.
Contrasting foot baths. We put 2 basins with water - with warm and cool. We hold the legs in warm water for 2 minutes, then we rearrange them in a bowl of cool water for 30 seconds. We alternate 6-8 times, after which we rub the legs and put on cotton socks. Gradually, you can lower the temperature of the water of the "cold" basin.
We run barefoot! In the absence of drafts, it is perfectly acceptable to run barefoot on the floor. Of course, unless you have concrete floors or icy slippery tiles. Experts also recommend a “rug” made of sea pebbles, on which you can walk right in the room.
Cold and hot shower. In this case, the mother changes the temperature of the water from warm to cool and back. The temperature, again, as in all cases, is lowered gradually!
Pouring. If your little one is accustomed to dousing from a jug from an early age, then you can move on to cooler douches. The main thing is that the water does not become a shock, both for the crumbs and for his body. It is important to rub the body with a towel after dousing until slight redness. No less effective fixing of the effect will be massage. They start pouring from 35-37 degrees, and gradually bring the temperature to a value of 27-28 degrees and below. After 2-3 years, the temperature can be lowered to 24 degrees.
Sauna and swimming pool. Option for older kids. The air temperature in the sauna should not exceed 90 degrees, and the procedure time should be 10 minutes (starting from 2-3 minutes). After the sauna - a warm shower, and then you can go to the pool. The water in it should not be too cold, and the child should already be prepared for such temperature changes. That is, hardened.
Before going to bed, you can wash your legs in cool water. This useful habit will be a real help in working on improving immunity.
Throat hardening. So that the child does not get sick after each ice cream or a glass of lemonade in the heat, temper the larynx. You can start with daily gargling with a gradual decrease in water temperature from 25 to 8 degrees. Then you can start sweet workouts according to the “three times a day” scheme: we hold a piece of ice cream in our mouth, count to 10, and only then swallow. Then you can switch to small ice cubes from juices or decoctions of herbs.

And a few more important hardening rules:

We do not wrap the child over the norm! A newborn is dressed “like himself plus 1 light clothing”, and older kids are simply “like themselves”. No need to wrap up children too much on a walk, and even more so at home. Especially if the baby is active.
Temperature standards for walking children in winter : at -10 - only after 3 months, at -15 - after six months.
"Dipping" a child in sunbathing, remember about the harmful effects of UV rays. Infants under 1 year old are extremely sensitive to them, and they are allowed to take baths only in diffused sunlight. You can start sunbathing in the sun only after 3 years, and then it is dosed (for the south of the country - from 8 to 10 am, and for the middle lane - 9-12 am).
Parents carry out extreme methods of hardening at their own peril and risk. These include swimming in an ice hole, diving into the snow after a bath, and so on. Naturally, for kids it is better to choose softer procedures. And even for them the child should be prepared gradually.
Usually hardening is combined with physical activity. But after sunbathing, it is better to refrain from it for an hour and a half.

And do not forget about the mood of the child! We postpone the procedure if the baby is naughty. And we do not impose them if the child protests.

Look for a way to instill a good habit through the game - and be a good example for your child.

Site site thanks you for your attention to the article! We would love it if you share your feedback and tips in the comments below.

Hello! When our kids once again begin to sneeze and have a temperature, we take out the first aid kit and sigh sadly. Well, here it is again! And hands just drop, because there is no end to colds!

Medicines are no longer effective, because the body is simply used to them. And I have a suggestion for this. Or maybe we will teach the little one not to medicines, but to a healthy lifestyle? What does that require? Learn how to properly temper a child at home. Or rather, the rules and techniques of this wonderful procedure.

First, answer yourself the question: “Are you ready to change your lifestyle for the sake of the health of the little one?”. After all, hardening is a regular event that should become a ritual. In addition to sometimes having to sacrifice your interests, you will sometimes need to take part in the process! You must be an example! Only in this way the child will understand that the event is quite natural and necessary.

So, are you ready? Well then, here's a list of rules for you. Please study before proceeding!

Doctor's recommendations. Do not be lazy, take the baby to the pediatrician. What if the procedures that you prescribe yourself do not suit the baby? Get medical support.
The sooner the better. After birth, babies get used to the effects of cold more easily. So do not wrap up your treasure more than necessary. Take care of your health without delay.
Regularity. Once you start, you don't need to stop. After all, a break in a week will become critical. Children's immunity will return to its previous positions.
Subsequence. Children in the snow and barefoot, this is just the result of a lot of hard work that we see. On the way to this are long months of training. It is always good to start with comfortable temperatures. And lower them just a degree every 5-7 days.
Individuality. The approach is different for everyone. Consider the desire and state of health of each baby.
Mood. In no case do not force! If the baby is naughty, postpone the event for another time or day. The process should be fun! After all, we are going to make it a regular and everyday ritual, right? Why cause negativity in the crumbs?
We begin to harden only a completely healthy toddler. No colds or chronic exacerbations.

Every point is important. But more often parents have a question about the latter. Yes, it is not recommended to start, if the child is sick. But what if the hardening is in full swing, and then the baby caught a cold?

If the child is sick?

In this case, rule number 1 applies. A doctor's consultation is required. Depending on the state of health will depend on what to do. Usually, at any elevated body temperature, procedures are completely canceled.

And when to resume? Not earlier than a week after complete recovery. The body must recover completely. Otherwise, instead of benefit, we will get a new cold.

If the disease goes away with minor symptoms, the doctor may allow the hardening to continue. But! Throw in a few degrees. For example, you doused a child with +25° water. For the period of illness, do it with water + 28 °. Those. the mode still has to be gentle!

But, I hope that during the hardening of your crumbs, no cataclysms will happen. Then, having studied the rules, let me talk about the methods.

Methods and ways

There are several hardening methods. In fact, with a certain habit, you can combine them all with each other! And you can choose a few and systematically do it. Develop a habit, such as brushing your teeth. So choose!

Air.
Water.
The sun.
Non-standard events.

Well, first about the most popular. And then I will try to surprise you with a non-standard technique!

Air

This is the most gentle and gentle way. But even here you can use a lot of interesting tricks! The simplest is air baths. Recommended for the smallest, i.e. ! First, leave the baby naked for 15 seconds, then increase the interval of stay by 5-10 seconds. So bring up to 30-40 minutes!

Such baths are taken at + 22 ° in the room. When the child gets used to these manipulations, you can complicate the task. By airing, lower the temperature every 5 days by a degree. But this is already after six months, and better than a year. Bring the reading to +17°.

Oh yes! I want to ask you, how often do you ventilate the room? You need at least 5 times a day for 15 minutes. And don't forget about walking! By the way, how much do you wrap the baby? Did you know that children most often catch colds from overheating? Dress them for the weather. Don't be too zealous.

Are you afraid of freezing? So let them move more actively. Ahhh, don't want to? Then option one: move together! Organize outdoor games! Trust my experience, kids love group games. Especially with parents!

Water

I don’t know about you, but I am delighted with those mothers who take their children to the pools even before they are a year old. More precisely, swimming begins as soon as the umbilical wound heals. During this period, he had not yet forgotten how to swim. And it is good to develop in the pool.

Is there no such possibility? Is there a bath at home? Then get more water, buy a special circle and go! Do you know how to tumble? Don't pull out your ears! Other than that, here are some other great options:

Rubbing.
Pouring.
Washing feet in cold water.

Such manipulations can be carried out both on the whole body and locally. Yes, it's better to start locally. Let the legs get used to one value first, then the arms, bye, back, tummy ... Not clear yet? I'll try to explain!

rubdowns

If the little one is regularly sick, first rub it until it is slightly reddened with a terry or flannel mitten. Then soak this glove in water. Wipe hands and feet from toes upwards. Back and breast from the middle to the sides. And the stomach is strictly clockwise. You need to start from + 35 °. And bring to +20° ... +22°.

Another interesting recommendation. After wiping, after all, it is necessary to wipe the body dry with a towel, until a slight redness. So, when you get used to it, wipe, leaving the body a little damp. Let it dry naturally. This will give additional hardening to the body.

Yes, one more piece of advice: such manipulations should be carried out not earlier than six months of age. Especially at .

In addition, do not forget about washing in cool water. Lower your thermometer by one degree every 5 days. Honestly, right after birth, I washed my daughter with water at room temperature. More precisely wiped. The main thing is not to lose this good habit as you grow up!

Pouring

Up to a year, many are already pouring over children. At first, some water is about + 35 °, and as a result, it is brought to + 20 °. And sometimes even less! Look at the child's reaction here.

First you need to get used to the limbs, and then the whole body. As a rule, the head is not doused. And, in general, in most cases, it is recommended to start such events no earlier than 1-2 years. Depends on the health of the baby. And now advice for those parents whose children are especially often sick.

Washing feet in cold water

Great for strengthening the immune system. Especially when the child is often sick. So, every evening we pour water on the legs + 36 °. We gradually lower the boundaries: if the baby is not older than a year old, then up to + 28 °. And when older, then up to + 20 °.

At the end, do not forget to rub to the red heels. It is better to do it before going to bed so that you can immediately lie down in a warm bed. By the way, if the feet are cold, this does not always mean that the baby is cold. It turns out that our heels are able to adapt to environmental conditions.

So do not be afraid to let the baby barefoot on the floor. Of course, within reason. And not for long.

The sun

In general, it's great to have water procedures on the street in the summer! But first you need to develop a habit of the sun's rays. Take the child out only in the morning, before 10:00 and walk only under the crowns of trees.

Then, you can go out into the sun, but after 10:00 urgently into the house! The scorching sun has never done anyone any good. And don't forget the hats.

As for clothes: initially, these are light shirts and shorts. Then you can leave only in shorts, even barefoot! Provided that there is nothing dangerous and piercing on the surface of the earth.

And now, as promised, a few words about unusual methods that help strengthen immunity!

Non-standard methods in hardening children

Tell me, do you allow children to drink drinks from the refrigerator? And believe that the child will not get sick after this? If it is organized correctly, he really will not get sick. Moreover, drinking cold drinks will also become a hardening method! So how do you do it? Very simple. Dear readers, the main thing is to follow the rule of sequence.

In fact, there are several methods and techniques, namely. I chose the most effective and interesting:

Cold cubes from the freezer. You can freeze the juice and give the baby to suck. First, 15 seconds. So, bring the resorption up to 2 minutes. Don't give big cubes and control the time.
Ice cream. Let's start with a teaspoon. And explain that the child does not swallow, but also dissolves.
Gargling with cold water. See if you can add salt to the water. Or make a decoction of chamomile. Rinsing should be started from comfortable temperatures with warm solutions. Lower by a degree, bringing to + 17 °. In adolescents and adults, the lower limit is + 8 ° ... + 10 °.
Drinking drinks from the refrigerator. We take a drink, and give literally a sip - two. And so, every 3 days we increase the number of sips.

Well, how do you like these ways to temper? Really, great? But it can only be applied to older children, at least 3-4 years old.

Well, the technique, I think is clear. You have probably already chosen something suitable for yourself. What if not a secret? Tell in the comments! But choosing is not enough. You need to figure it out, but where do you start?

Getting Started the Right Way

Above, in the methods, I described the temperatures at which hardening can begin. If your child is quite hardened or just healthy, then you should not be afraid. That is, if he is already drinking the juice of their refrigerator, there is no need to train him in sips. Continue in the same rhythm, just adding new methods of hardening.

And the rest need to be handled more gently. Add more complex methods only when the baby is completely used to the previous, simpler one.

Air baths are recommended first. Then water rubdowns are added, dousing the house. When the child gets used to it, in the summer it is possible to do this on the street, in hot weather. Make it harder as you get used to it and grow up. In principle, up to 4 years, you can use all the above methods. And preschool age, 5-6 years old, can be completely released barefoot on the snow! Well, subject to a trained body and a doctor's consultation.

Now tell us what you are doing to make your child stop getting sick often? What methods did you like? What are you planning to try from what I suggested? Leave comments and become blog subscribers. Till. See you soon!