Winter is here, which means the season of sickness too is here. While viruses and sickness run throughout, winter is when the chilly weather further makes it worse for those prone to sickness. Especially, if they are kids, as their immunity is not fully developed.

Does that mean it is inevitable for kids to be sick?

Anytime a child is exposed to another child, they will fall sick. This is because germs are transferred in the air or by touch, and children, being curious, always touch things, including their own faces, mouths and easily pick up germs and spread them. While prevention is impossible, there are steps that can be taken to reduce this.

Experts and medical professionals recommend to follow the vaccine schedule by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Vaccines have be proven to protect people, children, and infants from serious and deadly infections.

While sicknesses like a common cold do not have a vaccine, good hygiene can help prevent the spread of germs. Teaching your kids to wash hands after touching toys, or any other surface and other people is a great way to start it.

Exposure to germs at an early age strengthens child's immune system

Is there really any truth in the statement? When we encounter infections, our immune system creates antibodies that either prevent future infections or help the body fight them off more effectively, often leading to milder illness. The "hygiene hypothesis" proposes that living in an overly clean environment might hinder the immune system's development, potentially increasing the risk of allergic conditions like asthma.

ALSO READ: Why Forward-Facing Car Seat Could Be Lethal For Your Baby?

Although research has explored this idea, many immunologists (experts in the immune system) have raised concerns and expressed disagreement with the hypothesis.

In reality, most children don’t grow up in sterile environments. They are naturally exposed to a variety of germs, providing ample opportunities for their immune systems to strengthen and adapt.

Sanitizing Child's Toys

It is a good practice to regularly disinfect your children's toys and anything they share with others or take to school.

It is important to know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. While cleaning removes visible dirt, sanitizing decreases the number of germs on the surface, whereas disinfecting kills germs.

Also make sure to read the labels correctly and prevent any toxic toys to make its way to your kids, so it cannot be inhaled or ingested.

How to disinfect toys?

You can start by cleaning all the toys that has come in contact with your child's hands and mouth with soap and water. Then, use a sanitizer to clean everyday items, things that remain in your child's environment. Then use disinfectant, especially if your child is sick or if someone sick has touched your child's toys.

If you are wondering which sanitizers to go for, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website has come up with a list of approved sanitizers and disinfectants that are effective.

Felicity-Jo, a 13-year-old girl in the UK’s Lancashire, has survived a life-threatening bout of sepsis and two weeks of induced coma, after her symptoms were initially dismissed by doctors as a stomach bug.

In early February, Felicity-Jo suffered vomiting and abdominal cramps, and was admitted at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital where the medical team administered intravenous fluids. They discharged her the following day as the teen girl showed temporary improvement, and attributed her condition to gastroenteritis, also known as a stomach bug.

"They [gave] her some fluids to stop the dehydration, and she seemed to like come around and seemed to feel better — the pain eased and then she took to small sips of water,” Natalie-Anne Rowlett, her mother told the BBC.

"The doctors said they thought it was gastroenteritis or a stomach bug going around. They had said they wanted to take her for a scan, but they didn't do it because she perked up."

What Happened To Felicity-Jo?

While Felicity-Jo returned to her normal activities, her health suddenly deteriorated weeks later. On March 15, the teen collapsed in extreme pain and was admitted to the ICU at Burnley General Teaching Hospital. Here, the surgeons discovered she had been born with congenital adhesions, or internal scar tissue.

The adhesions caused a total bowel obstruction, which was eventually followed by an infection and sepsis, her mom told the BBC.

“The main symptoms were abdominal pain and persistent vomiting. It’s frightening how quickly things progressed from what seemed like a typical upset stomach to a life-threatening situation," Rowlett was quoted as saying to PEOPLE.

After undergoing two emergency surgeries, including the removal of a portion of her bowel, Felicity-Jo was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. She remained on life support for 14 days while battling the infection and subsequent blood clots.

"Sepsis develops so quickly, and I want others to be aware. I know she'll come through. She's a fighter," Rowlett said, according to the BBC.

How Is Felicity-Jo Now?

After being fitted with a stoma bag and diagnosed with two blood clots four weeks after the health scare, Felicity-Jo finally took her first steps in almost a month.

Felicity-Jo has “managed a smile,” which “melted” their hearts, wrote Rowlett on the GoFundMe page, which the family started to raise funds.

Rowlett confirmed that her daughter was being moved from the PICU to another ward in the hospital.

“She still has a long road of recovery, stoma care, and rehabilitation ahead, but moving to the ward is a giant leap forward,” Rowlett added.

Rowlett is now urging others to be aware of the symptoms of sepsis, telling them to "trust their guts" if something “doesn’t feel right,” the BBC reported.

Congenital Adhesions: How It Can Lead To Bowel Obstruction?

Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between the organs in the belly and pelvis. The scar tissue mainly forms between loops of the small intestine, but can also form between an organ and the wall of the abdominal cavity.

When the condition is present from birth, it is called congenital adhesion. Congenital bands arise from abnormal adhesions of folds in abdominal organs that form during the first eight weeks of pregnancy.

Adhesions are the most common cause of a small bowel obstruction — a medical emergency caused by complete or partial blockage in the intestines. With obstruction, food, liquid, air and waste can’t pass through the intestines and can cause:

• Severe abdominal pain.
• Cramping.
• Bloating.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abdominal distension (when your abdomen swells outward).
• Obstipation (being unable to pass gas or poop).

India's Ministry of Women and Child Development today launched the 8th edition of Poshan Pakhwada, under the flagship Poshan Abhiyaan mission to fight against malnutrition and improve the country's nutritional status.

The nutrition campaign will run from April 9 to 23, and focuses on improving the nutritional and cognitive health of young children under six years.

"A well-nourished child is the foundation of a strong nation. Poshan Abhiyaan is not just a government programme, but a people’s movement to ensure holistic nutrition for every mother and child,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while underscoring the importance of nutrition.

"This year's theme focuses on laying a strong foundation for our children's bright future. This campaign will not only strengthen the resolve for a malnutrition-free India but also promote public awareness and community participation," said WCD Minister Annpurna Devi, in a post on social media platform X.

Poshan Pakhwada 2026: Theme

The theme for Poshan Pakhwada 2026 is “Maximizing Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life”.

It recognizes that early childhood—particularly the first 1,000 days—is critical for brain development, physical growth, and overall well-being.

Scientific evidence indicates that over 85 percent of brain development occurs by the age of six, underscoring the importance of optimal nutrition, responsive caregiving, and early learning.

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The key focus areas under this year’s theme include:

1. Maternal and Child Nutrition – Promoting optimal nutrition during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and age-appropriate complementary feeding.
2. Early Stimulation for Brain Development (0–3 years) – Encouraging responsive caregiving and early learning interactions.
3. Play-Based Education in Early Years (3–6 years) – Supporting holistic development and school readiness.
4. Role of Parents and Community in Minimizing Screen Time – Promoting healthy habits and active engagement.
5. Strengthening Anganwadi Centers through Community Participation – Enhancing infrastructure and service delivery through Jan Bhagidari and CSR.

Poshan Pakhwada 2026: Activities

During the Pakhwada, activities will be organized across States and Union Territories through Anganwadi Centers, with participation from mothers, caregivers, families, community institutions, and local bodies.

These will include Poshan Panchayats, awareness sessions, early stimulation activities, play-based learning initiatives, and campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and reduced screen time among young children.

Through Poshan Pakhwada 2026, the Ministry aims to further strengthen the Jan Andolan by reinforcing that nutrition, care, early learning, and community participation together lay the foundation for a healthy, educated, and empowered India.

Also read: Longevity: How Eating Right For A Long Life Is An Everyday Endeavor

What Is Poshan Abhiyaan

Poshan Abhiyaan was launched by the Prime Minister on March 8, 2018, in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. The focus of Abhiyaan is to emphasize the nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children from 0-6 years of age.

Poshan Pakhwada serves as a key pillar of this movement by driving awareness, behavioural change, and community mobilisation at the grassroots level. The major objectives include:

• Prevent and reduce stunting in children (0- 6 years)
• Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years)
• Reduce the prevalence of anaemia among young Children(6-59 months)
• Reduce the prevalence of anaemia among Women and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 15-49 years
• Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW).

The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion, accompanied by celebrations as well as well-meaning advice from friends and family. "Don't feed for 24 hours!" "Give honey first!" "Discard the first milk!" These traditional and generational beliefs leave new mothers confused about what is appropriate for their baby.

As a neonatologist with years of experience, I have seen how these myths can harm the delicate newborns. Let us separate fact from fiction with simple, but evidence-based truths.

Myth 1: Wait Before First Feed

Traditional Belief: Many families delay breastfeeding for hours—waiting for an auspicious time, a particular relative, or to follow traditions and customs.

Fact: Babies should be breastfed within the first hour of birth (Golden hour) right in the labor room! The yellowish first milk (colostrum) is packed with antibodies and nutrition. Early feeds can prevent low blood sugar levels, build immunity, increase the mother’s milk supply, and lead to bonding between the mother and the newborn.

Myth 2: Honey or Jaggery First

Traditional Belief: Elders give honey, jaggery, or butter at birth for strength and good virtues.

Fact: Short-cuts are dangerous! Stick to mother's milk only. Anything else can cause infections (botulism with honey) and delay colostrum administration.

Myth 3: Throw Away Colostrum

Traditional Belief: "First milk is dirty—discard it!"

Fact: Colostrum is liquid gold! It is a natural vaccine, full of maternal antibodies and high in proteins. Discarding it deprives the baby of natural immunity.

Myth 4: 40-Day Lockdown

Traditional Belief: Keep mother-baby indoors for 40 days to avoid colds.

Fact: Fresh air and sunlight are rich sources of oxygen and vitamin D. Confining them in dark, stuffy rooms increases the risk of post-partum depression in the mother. Take short, safe outdoor trips, avoiding windy weather.

Myth 5: Gripe Water and Janam Ghutti

Traditional Belief: Essential for digestion, teething, and excessive crying.

Fact: Avoid completely as the ingredients are not standardized or regulated. Contents vary wildly—many contain alcohol, opioid derivatives, or bacteria, causing loose stools and sedation. Breast milk is the panacea.

Myth 6: Kajal Makes the Eyes Beautiful

Traditional Belief: Surma/kajal improves eyesight and makes the eyes bigger

Fact: May contain lead that causes eye infections, allergies, and lead poisoning if used excessively

Myth 7: Babies need water before 6 months.

Fact: Breast milk or formula is 88 percent water and meets the water requirement even in hot months. Early water intake increases the risk of sodium imbalance (hyponatremia). Start water in a sippy or cup, after 6 months, with complementary foods (150-250 ml water split into multiple times).

Myth 8: Sneezing = Cold

Traditional Belief: Any sneeze means an upcoming cold.

Fact: Newborns sneeze to clear mucus— a sign of healthy airways! Consult a doctor if it is accompanied by fever, cough, or runny nose.

Myth 9: Mother's 'Cold' Foods Harm The Baby

Traditional Belief: Curd, rice, and ice cream can cause cold or colic in the baby.

Fact: The temperature of the maternal diet does not influence the breast milk temperature or quality, so no cold food bans!

Myth 10: Teething Causes Fever/Diarrhea

Traditional Belief: Fever and loose stools indicate tooth eruption

Fact: Red flag! These signals indicate infections from dirty objects that babies put into their mouths during the mouthing phase of development. See a doctor immediately.

Myth 11: Protruding Navel = Doctor Error

Traditional Belief: Caused by excessive pull on the cord during delivery.

Fact: Commonly due to lax abdominal muscles. It usually resolves by one year of age. No tapes/coins are needed. Consult a doctor immediately if the swelling does not retract or becomes red.

Myth 12: Warm Head = Fever

Traditional Belief: A warm forehead means fever

Fact: Normal newborn temp is 97.6-99.5°F. The head feels warmer due to increased blood flow. Check the armpit if concerned.

What to Do?

Tips For Parents:

• Embrace science over superstition.
• Trust your pediatrician and not any advice.
• Verify advice: Does it align with the guidelines of scientific bodies.
• Join lactation support groups.
• Be aware of red flags like fever, lethargy, poor feeding, and excessive irritability.
• Seek expert opinion when in doubt.
• Your baby's first 28 days are critical and determine their lifelong health, so get them right.