Tempering children under 2 years old at home. What is useful hardening for a child. Gymnastics and physical activity

The best way protect the baby from colds and strengthen the immune system - this is hardening. AT modern world have not yet come up with a more effective means. A hardened child is not afraid of cold, wind, or a sharp temperature drop.

This universal protection has a lot of advantages:

does not require material costs,
carried out at any time
does not require special conditions
does not require pre-training,
does not take much time
available to everyone
has no age limit.

Why hardening is needed

Hardening trains the immune system. In other words, it is a set of procedures aimed at preparing the body for dramatically changing environmental conditions. What exactly: strong wind, draft, frost, rain. When hardening increases the resistance of immunity to microorganisms: bacteria and viruses.

Hardened children are less likely to get sick and tolerate diseases much more easily.

At what age should you start tempering a child?

To temper the baby begins from the first days of birth. Washing, bathing, dressing the baby, parents do not even suspect that they are training his thermoregulation.

It must be said that the child is born already prepared for external natural conditions. But overly caring mothers and grandmothers violate this natural ability, overly wrapped in clothes and patronizing.

The sooner you start, the better. But this does not mean that if the child is three or five years old, then it is too late to temper. You can start at any age. By following the principles and rules of hardening, you will achieve the same result as if you were engaged from birth.

Hardening principles

Often, the determining factor to temper or not a child is the psychological unpreparedness of the parents. Remove all fears and doubts. And forward to a healthy lifestyle!

Good mood. It is important! Hardening will benefit if the baby is positive. The best way to achieve this is to play with it.
Regularity. Procedures must be carried out constantly. Breaks lead to a weakening of adaptive mechanisms. In babies up to a year, a pass of 5-7 days leads to the disappearance of the effect.
Graduality. The dosage should be increased little by little. A sharp change leads the body into a shock, stressful state.
Individual approach. If the child is sick or after a sick leave, you need to wait with hardening. Children with weak immunity are tempered according to an individual schedule, sparing.
Accounting for age characteristics. Each age corresponds to a limitation on the duration of hardening procedures and a range of permissible temperatures. Do not overdo it!

air hardening

The most accessible way. Apply from birth. And the first thing to start with is to stop wrapping the baby.

We remove the excess vest. Additional clothing leads to the fact that the child's adaptive mechanisms are weakened. His body gets used to "greenhouse conditions", and the slightest drop in temperature leads to hypothermia.

Regular ventilation. Conducted from the moment of birth. In summer, the windows should be open all the time. Drafts are not allowed. for a baby + 20- + 22 ° С.

In the cold season, the rooms are aired for 15 minutes 5-6 times a day. Do it in the absence of the child. The best effect is through ventilation.

Air baths. Spend from the first days of birth. When changing clothes, a newborn baby is left naked for 2-3 minutes. Once every two weeks, increase the time by 1-2 minutes. By six months, 10 minutes is acceptable. After six months, the time is increased to 15 minutes. Air baths are done 2-3 times a day at room temperature.

There are warm baths (+20°C), cool baths (+17-+19°C) and cold baths (+15°C).

0-3 years use warm,
3-4 years make cool,
5-6 years are allowed to use cold baths.

This procedure is carried out in combination with physical activity. Mom does exercises or massage to newborn babies. It is advisable to play with older children (for example, with a ball), do simple exercises or give them the opportunity to move around (jump, run).

Walks. In good weather, they walk after discharge from the hospital. In summer, 20 minutes or more. Places for walking are better to choose away from the roadway. If possible, take a walk in nature: in the forest, in a clearing, in the shade of an alley.

In autumn, winter, cold spring in calm weather, they start walking from 15 minutes, gradually increasing the time to 1-1.5 hours. Infants walks not lower than -10 ° С are allowed.

To kid preschool age In the summer, you need to be outside as often as possible. In winter, it is permissible to walk up to -15 ° C, the duration is 1-2 hours.

Both infants and preschool children should be outside twice a day: in the morning and after lunch.

Walking under adverse conditions. Walking in any weather gives a good tempering effect. They start after 1.5-2 years. The child is taken out in cloudy, windy weather for 3-5 minutes. In this case, the baby must actively move so as not to freeze. Do not wear extra sweatshirts.

With a preschooler (3-6 years old) it is allowed to walk in light rain, snowfall, and wind. The main rule is to gradually increase the stay time to 15-20 minutes, and monitor the child's condition (so as not to overheat and not overcool).

water hardening

Water procedures bring special joy to children. In addition to being beneficial for the immune system, water also has a calming effect.

Washing. Made from birth. Initially, the water temperature is taken + 28 ° C. Gradually (every 2-3 weeks) it is lowered by 1-2°C, by half a year it is brought to + 25°C, by a year to + 20°C.

Washing is carried out daily in the morning, before bedtime and as needed. The baby is wiped first on the face, then on the hands.

For preschool children, the water temperature is reduced:

3-4 years - up to +18°С
5-6 years - up to +16°С

Rubbing. Starting at 6 months. To do this, take a soft mitten (or towel) and moisten in water + 35 ° C. Wipe the child in the sequence: arms, legs, back, chest and tummy. After, wipe dry. Every 2 weeks the temperature is lowered by 1-2 degrees and brought to +28°C.

Pouring:

General douche. Made from birth. Each time after bathing, the baby is raised above the bath with the back up and poured with water for several seconds. The main rule is that the water temperature should be a couple of degrees lower than in the bath.
Local dousing. Recommended from 2 years of age. The baby's feet are watered for 20-30 seconds. Initially, the water temperature is taken + 30 ° C. Once every 2 weeks, it is reduced by a couple of degrees. At 4 years, a temperature of + 18 ° C is allowed, by 5-6 years it is brought to + 16 ° C.

Cool shower. After 3 years, the general douche is replaced with a shower. Starting from a temperature of + 35- + 36 ° C, the water is gradually reduced to + 26 ° C. The duration is a few seconds. After the procedure, the child is wiped dry and dressed.

Swimming in open water. Acceptable from an early age. Bathing babies in summer in rivers, lakes, the sea is possible at a temperature not lower than + 22 ° C of water. Start with 1-2 minutes, gradually increasing to 5-8.

Children 3-5 years old are allowed to bathe at a water temperature of + 19- + 20 ° C, and increase the time to 10 minutes.

hardening by the sun

Magic sun:

Warns.
It has an antimicrobial effect.
Increases the resistance of immunity to colds.

And gives a good mood!

Walks in the sun. Infants in summer weather begin to walk from 2 minutes under the scattered rays of the sun. Gradually (every 3-4 days), parents increase the time by 1-2 minutes and bring it up to 10-15.

Sunbathing. Up to a year is not recommended. The baby is stripped to panties and allowed to play in the sun.

Age/time:

1-3 years - 5-10 min.
3-7 years - 10-15 min.

It is advisable to carry out such procedures near a water source. A good hardening effect is given by sunbathing in combination with dousing. First, the baby is heated under the rays of the sun, then it is sprayed with water.

Hardening is carried out in the first half of the day until 11.00, and in the second - after 16.00. When the sun is not at the peak of activity, in order to avoid burns. The child must wear a hat.

In the heat above + 30 ° C, hardening procedures are not carried out.

Video: 8 points about hardening a child

Other hardening methods

They temper both the whole body and its individual parts: feet, throat. You can use household items, such as a fan.

Hardening by draft (or fan). Start after 3 years. The procedure is carried out at an air temperature of +20-+22°C. The child is placed at a distance of 6 meters from the fan in light clothing. The speed of the blades is minimal. They start from 20 seconds, while the baby must toss and turn so that the blowing occurs from all sides. Gradually (1 time in 2 weeks) increase the time and speed of the fan;
Gargling with cold water. From 3 years old. Initially, the water temperature is made at + 25 ° C. Every four days it is reduced by 1°C, and brought to 8°C. The child should take water in his mouth and pronounce for a long time A-A-A sound. Then spit it out. The procedure is repeated several times;
Barefoot. Have been practicing since the child started walking. At a floor surface temperature of +18°C, the baby walks in socks. After a week, the socks are removed and he runs barefoot for 3-7 minutes. In summer it is useful to walk on sand, grass, pebbles.

Ice hardening

Resorption. A small cube of frozen decoction of calendula or chamomile is placed in the child's mouth and offered to dissolve like a lollipop. Remove after 30 seconds. The time every 4 days is increased by 10 seconds and adjusted to 2 minutes. It can be frozen berries, syrup;
Rubbing heels. Allowed from three years. For a few seconds before going to bed, the child's feet are rubbed with pieces of ice. After that, wipe dry and put on socks. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day.

Intensive and contrast hardening

All of the above methods are moderate hardening. It is based on the principle of gradualism. But there are more extreme ways. For example, intensive and contrast hardening. These methods are based on a sharp change in temperature with a large range, for a short period of time.

Intensive hardening. The essence of this method is a short-term contact of the body with frost, snow, ice water.

It includes:

Pouring water at extremely low temperatures;
Wiping with snow;
Dipping in the hole in winter.

These are quite extreme ways of hardening. They are not recommended for preschool children. Although some active parents practice even with babies quite successfully.

Contrasting hardening. A more gentle procedure. It is based on an alternating, sharp change in temperature with a large difference.

For example:

Dipping feet in warm or cold water;
Cold and hot shower.

Contraindications

Signs and diseases in which hardening measures are not carried out:

Negative attitude of the child to the procedures;
Malaise, temperature above normal;
cold symptoms;
intestinal diseases;
Increased excitability (hyperactivity);
Acquired (decompensated) heart disease;
Exhaustion of the body;
Decreased hemoglobin;
Diseases of the epidermis (skin);
Respiratory system disorders.

Every parent worries about their own child, but sometimes these fears do more harm than good. To prevent a cold, do not wear extra blouses and pants, but train the immune system. In other words - temper your health!

Dr. Komarovsky: hardening of children

Many parents complain that the child often catches a cold. Weak immune defense is the main cause of diseases, low body resistance. A few simple steps can help boost your immune system. The main thing: the regularity of classes, constant monitoring of results, consultations with a pediatrician.

Hardening a child with weak immunity is carried out by different methods. Air and sun baths, water procedures, physical education, healthy lifestyle life - all the ways to strengthen the body can not be counted. Learn how to temper toddlers and older children.

Reasons for weak immunity

Often sick children have a weak immune system. Excessive sensitivity of the body develops under the influence of many factors.

Reasons for the weakening of the protective forces:

insufficient, irrational, poor-quality nutrition of the mother during pregnancy;
artificial feeding or early cessation of breastfeeding;
lack of trace elements, vitamins, minerals, poor diet;
insufficient care for the baby;
parents' lack of knowledge on hardening the baby;
unwillingness of parents to engage in physical education with the baby, to massage;
insufficient walking time fresh air;
the duration of day / night sleep is lower than normal;
chronic diseases, increased sensitization of the body;
hereditary pathologies of the immune system.

Signs of weak immunity:

frequent colds (the child gets sick more than 4-6 times a year);
constant complaints of headache;
weakness, apathy, drowsiness;
propensity to allergies;
after illness, the child recovers for a long time;
the body reacts poorly to the penetration of pathogens, the temperature rarely rises even with diseases that are almost always accompanied by high temperature indicators;
pimples, red spots often appear on the skin;
any draft causes nasal congestion;
at the slightest contact with a cold person, coughing, sneezing begins, health worsens;
children refuse outdoor games, quietly sit on the sidelines, complain that "there is no strength."

Many adults ask: “How to increase immunity in frequently ill children?”. Methods depend on the cause of the decrease in immune protection. If the problem is acquired, place maximum emphasis on natural methods: proper nutrition, daily routine, vitamin therapy, physical education, hardening. In congenital immune pathologies, special preparations have the main therapeutic effect. The doctor will prescribe immunostimulants, without which the correct lifestyle will not give noticeable results.

General hardening rules

After a visit to an immunologist and a pediatrician, you learned that serious illnesses the child does not have congenital pathologies. This is good news. To strengthen immunity, it is important to establish nutrition, sleep, rest, and health will become stronger.

An obligatory item for increasing the body's defenses is hardening. Pay attention to the general requirements that should be followed at any age.

10 rules for parents who start hardening sick children:

think over the methods, stop at one or two, consult a pediatrician;
start the procedure when the children are completely healthy;
act carefully, gradually reduce the temperature of water / air, increase the duration of air / sunbathing;
gradually introduce new types of health procedures;
observe the adaptation mode: enter the following technique in a week - another after a calm reaction of the body to previous sessions;
start water procedures in the summer, in warm weather;
for children suffering from frequent colds, the temperature of water and air should be 2-3 degrees higher;
if the baby is sick, cancel rubdowns, baths (in water or air), after recovery, start the process again, from the first stage;
every 2 weeks take a break for a couple of days, observe the reaction of the body;
combine hardening with proper nutrition, staying in the fresh air, taking vitamin and mineral complexes, good rest. Only in this case, the immune system of the child will become stronger.

Hardening methods for children of different ages

A pediatrician, methodologist of the health cabinet will suggest the best types of procedures for healing the body. Most methods are suitable for home use. The task of parents is to learn the rules of hardening, to get expert advice. It is important to take into account the health status of a particular child.

Water procedures

simple, available methods: rubdown, douche and shower. Show your baby an example of how to rub the body with a towel. Please note: the skin of children is delicate, it is impossible to rub the body strongly. Buy your baby a soft towel.

wipe the body after waking up, the duration of the procedure is 1-2 minutes. Initially, the temperature is + 33 ... + 35 degrees. As with other water procedures, gradually lower the temperature by 1-2 degrees;
shower is allowed after a year and a half. The optimal time for water procedures is in the morning and after light gymnastics. The temperature regime is the same as for taking a bath (from +36 degrees, gradually “remove” 1 degree each);
douche. Excellent hardening effect, active training of the thermoregulation mechanism. Begin the procedures after the baby is used to wiping and showering. You can’t immediately pour a jug of cold water on a child: a cold is guaranteed. The duration of dousing is from 15 to 30 seconds. Start with a standard temperature (from +35 degrees), for two months reach a temperature of +30 degrees. At first, pour over only the legs (from the feet to the knees) and the arms (from the hands to the shoulders), later go to the whole body (gradually). When the baby gets used, alternate warm and cool water.

Note! Adjust the temperature for dousing children depending on the time of year. For kids from one to three years old, in winter, focus on indicators of + 34 ... + 28 degrees, in summer: + 33 ... + 24 degrees. From 6 to 8 years, temperature indicators decrease from +32…+24 degrees in winter to +30…+20 degrees in summer.

Swimming

The effect of cool water on a small body, soft “wave” massage, developing physical activity made swimming one of the leaders in hardening procedures for children different ages. It is noteworthy that a baby can swim with support from 6-8 weeks.

The smallest swimmers will be able to stay on the water with an inflatable ring for newborns with a comfortable fixation in the neck area. At first, the child swims in the bathroom, in the open water it is allowed to swim for babies from the age of one year, always with their parents.

Many pools offer a special early swim course for moms and babies. Children develop more actively, get sick less often, become more sociable, confident, the bond between mother and baby is strengthened. Sometimes dads go to such classes: this is also a plus for raising a little man.

The temperature in the pool for babies is at the level of +32 C ... +34 C, the air should warm up to +26 C. For comfortable swimming in the pool, gradually reduce the temperature of the water in the bathroom from 36–37 degrees to +33 C ... +34 C. Perform recommendations from the instructor, obtain permission from the pediatrician for recreational swimming in the baby pool.

For older children, classes are also recommended to develop strength, dexterity, hardening of the body. One of the positive aspects: swimming is an active physical activity with minimal impact on the spine and cardiovascular system.

magic track

A simple, affordable way. During the procedure, the child acts on the biologically active points of the feet, massages the sole, feels the effect of water on the legs. Couples essential oils penetrate the respiratory tract, have a beneficial effect on the body. Walking on an uneven surface is an easy exercise plus a massage.

You will need:

massage Mat;
fine sand;
small pebbles;
sea salt;
essential oils.

On the page, learn about how to properly introduce complementary foods while breastfeeding.

How to proceed:

pour not very much water into the bath: at first the liquid should be warm: + 36 ... + 37 degrees;
pour sea salt with a concentrate of fir, eucalyptus, pine;
put a massage mat on top;
put the baby in the bath. Suggest walking along the path. Many parents and herbalists advise singing songs. The more often the child opens his mouth, takes in more air, the more active are the beneficial vapors of pine needles or eucalyptus, salt vapors penetrate the respiratory tract;
The first procedure lasts 10 minutes. The water gradually cools down, a hardening effect is noticeable;
gradually lower the temperature by 1-2 degrees, but you should not keep your feet in cold water either;
after a couple of weeks, bring the duration of the procedure to 20 minutes;
make sure that the child does not freeze. After the procedure, rinse the legs with clean water, wipe dry.

Advice! A useful session can be held in a large basin. Pour sand and small pebbles, pour a little sea salt, drip a little coniferous elixir. For useful procedures, warm up some water to 36 degrees. Let the baby walk in the basin, as if on the seabed. Start with 5 minutes, increase to 20 minutes in 2 weeks.

Air baths

The easiest, most affordable way to harden. Undress the baby, let him lie down naked in warm weather 2-3 times a day. The duration of the procedures is from 2 to 15 minutes. Be sure to take into account the temperature in the room, so that the little one does not freeze.

In the fresh air, the child should walk without extra clothes (do not wrap even the smallest ones), taking into account climatic conditions. Start hardening in the morning or after a daytime sleep, gradually increase the duration of the sessions.

sunbathing

A useful form of healing the body. The main thing: do not overdo it, observe hours favorable for hardening.

babies should be in the sun for no more than 1-2 minutes, babies after a year old - no more than 20 minutes;
the optimal time for staying in the summer sun is before 10.00 and after 16.00. From 11 to 15, kids (and older children) should not walk under the scorching sun: dangerous radiation during peak hours provokes various diseases;
As with other hardening methods, increase sun exposure gradually. Watch the reaction of the body, do not allow heat stroke. Always wear a cap, panama hat with a visor to protect your face and eyes.

Physical education, gymnastics, massage

morning exercises are a game, not a punishment. The kid will be happy to study if the parents lead by example. The child should not guess how serious the event is: the exercises should be easy, fun;
let the baby jump, run, squat, bend over to cheerful, incendiary music. Parents will also benefit from a warm-up;
Remember: young children copy the behavior of adults. If you force the little one to do exercises, while you yourself bask under the covers, there will be no sense;
massage is a great way to strengthen muscles, normalize body functions. Conduct useful sessions an hour and a half after eating, during the daytime or in the morning, before exercising;
if the area of \u200b\u200bthe nursery allows, buy a corner for physical education for a young athlete. The minimum set is a horizontal bar, a Swedish ladder, a rope, a sports bench, a swing. In a well-equipped place, physical education is much more interesting.

Is the child often sick? The doctor said that the child's immune system is weakened, do you need to harden the body? Consider the recommendations of pediatricians, consider methods suitable for your baby. The sooner you start hardening with weak immunity, the more like a child will become stronger, will more actively resist infections.

Dr. Komarovsky about hardening children in the following video:

Among children, there is such a tendency that the more mothers and grandmothers lovingly try to protect the child from the effects of external factors, wrapping up, not allowing them to swim in the river, walk barefoot on grass, sand or at home on the floor, the more often the child gets sick. In this case, one should abandon the chosen principles and begin to harden the child.

Hardening is a complex of procedures based on the influence of factors such as water, air, sun, often consisting in a difference in the influencing temperatures or atmospheric pressure. As a result, the child's body becomes more resistant to natural stimuli and is better able to resist infections.

Hardening naturally develops immunity, and this method is much more effective than stimulating immunity from the outside, using pills.

If we compare the number of cases of acute respiratory viral infections in a non-tempered child and one who underwent hardening procedures during the year, then hardening reduces the risk of colds by about 3 times.

You can begin to harden the body of a child without prior preparation and from any age, the sooner the better. A small child has a much more actively developed adaptation mechanism, so early hardening gives a more pronounced result.

Hardening principles

Tempering a child (where to start will be described in detail below) should be based on the following principles:

Individual approach. Hardening methods are chosen taking into account the state of health of the child and the lifestyle of the family. It is important that the child himself likes the procedures.
Periodicity and gradualism. Hardening procedures should be carried out systematically, starting with small things: a slight change in temperature, a short duration. This process cannot be forced.
Complexity. Only hardening procedures will not allow raising the child's immunity to the maximum level. It is also necessary to observe the principles of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Tempering a child at home: where to start

Then they move on to rubdowns, shower, partial douche, contrast shower, full douche. They start with a slight decrease in water temperature - + 35-36 degrees, gradually, degree by degree, lowering it.

Indications for hardening

With the following indications, hardening is not only desirable, it is necessary:

hardening rules

Hardening a child (where to start is with a visit to a pediatrician and an immunologist to identify the need for planned activities and find out if there are any contraindications for health) carried out according to the following rules:

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

According to Dr. Komarovsky, the child needs hardening procedures from birth. But in order not to harm the child, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician before starting the procedures. Before hardening procedures are allowed, tests and examinations may be prescribed.

Yevgeny Komarovsky advises hardening every day, without gaps, if the child's health allows it. He also notes that procedures such as contrast showers, dousing with cool water, sun and air baths are suitable for children, but procedures associated with exposure to ice water, such as winter swimming, are not suitable for children.

Contraindications

The main contraindications to hardening procedures include:

If the disease is temporary, after recovery, it is recommended to resume hardening with the most gentle procedures.

newborn

According to the recommendations of Dr. Komarovsky, hardening in infancy should include air and water procedures. Moreover, the impact should be moderate. The doctor does not recommend using extreme temperatures for hardening.

washing. It is recommended to start with him, and on the very first day after discharge from the hospital. The water temperature should be 28 degrees. Hardening in this way is carried out daily, but the water temperature is lowered very gradually, the process of lowering the temperature by 2-3 degrees should take 2-3 months.

Pouring. They begin to practice in partial pouring - from the child's feet. Then they move to the whole body. The initial temperature is 32-35 degrees. It is optimal to carry out hardening procedures after daily bathing. Starting with the legs, move on to dousing the whole body. In the end, all parts of the body are gradually poured from the bottom up: legs, arms, stomach, back of the head.

Bathing. The duration of the baths themselves should also be increased: the water will cool naturally and have a hardening effect. Contrast baths for babies are optional.

Rubdown. Performed with a flannel mitt. Like pouring, they start first with the legs and are limited to them. Then expand the wiping area in the following sequence: arms, back, chest and abdomen. Recommended to start at 2 months.

walks. Komarovsky considers walking an obligatory component of a child's daily routine. He says that you should not avoid walking in adverse weather conditions: snow, rain. All that is needed in this case is to dress the child according to the weather.

The duration of the walks should also increase. In summer, the minimum duration of walks is 20-30 minutes, in winter - 5-7 minutes. But every day you can increase the time by 5-10 minutes. In winter, at especially low temperatures, it is not worth walking with children 1-3 months old, walking with older children is possible, but you need to dress a child one more layer than an adult.

Air baths. Komarovsky does not recommend wrapping a child. In particular, he advises leaving the child naked for several minutes at each change of diapers or diapers, when changing clothes for a walk. This technique will support the natural adaptation mechanism.

Sunbathing. Recommended for infants, in particular because they are the prevention of rickets. But care must be taken - to limit the direct sunlight on the skin of the child, so as not to cause burns.

Children aged 3 and over

If hardening is not started in infancy, this does not mean at all that time has been lost. Procedures with a child can be started later, at 3 years and later. The general principles will be the same.

From 2-3 years old, you can introduce a contrast shower technique, allow the child to walk outdoors in summer and indoors in winter in the same underwear. Classes in the pool will have a positive effect on immunity. From 4-5 years old, it is already possible to practice pouring on the street, first with cool, then cold water. But in this you need to keep the measure.

Water procedures

Rubbing from 2 months should be done with a soft towel, as the baby's skin is delicate. The procedure is carried out after the morning rise for 1-2 minutes. It can be dry and wet. The initial temperature of the water during wet rubdown is 35 degrees. Gradually lower it.

The shower is recommended from 1.5 years. It should be taken after morning exercises. Initial temperature +36. Then, within a few days, it is lowered by one degree, thus reducing it to 26 degrees. The process of transition to the minimum temperature should take not days, but months.

Douching is introduced last, already when the child's body has fully adapted to rubdowns and the soul, regardless of the age at which the procedures were started. Douches train blood vessels, develop the mechanism of thermoregulation.

But, as in other methods, you can’t force events: they start with partial pouring and from the most high temperatures(+35 degrees). Switching too early to dousing with cold water will provoke a cold. In particular, it is recommended to reduce the temperature from +35 to +30 degrees in two months.

Pour order: first the lower body to the knees, then the arms to the shoulders, later the whole body. Expand the dousing area gradually. Contrasting pouring is possible: first with warm, then cool water.

The temperature of the water for dousing - depending on the time of year and age

The duration of dousing is gradually increased from 15 seconds to 30. Contrast foot baths are carried out using two containers (buckets or basins). In one of them, the water temperature should be equal to 40 degrees, in the other - 32 degrees. Keep your feet in hot water for 1 minute, then in cold water for 20 seconds.

Alternate 5 times, ending with immersion of the legs in cold water. Gradually, the temperature of the water is lowered in both basins. It is useful during the procedure to do exercises for the feet.

The place of stay (bath-dressing room) needs to be alternated, it is thanks to this that hardening will be carried out. It is necessary to ensure that the child breathes through the nose in the bath and sauna.

Swimming

Swimming has several positive effects on the child’s body at once: firstly, it is a temperature effect that provides a hardening effect, secondly, massage - water waves massage the body, thirdly, physical development is ensured, since swimming develops all muscle groups .

Swimming also has a positive effect on the emotional state of the child, as many people like this process.

Swimming in open water is allowed from one year old, always under the supervision of an adult. The baby can swim in the bath from 6-8 weeks. Moreover, there are methods of teaching not only swimming at such an early age, but also diving headlong. If diving is not planned, then a special circle fixed on the neck will help the child stay on the water.

In infancy, you can practice swimming in the pool. Before this, it is recommended to adapt the child to the temperature of the water in the pool. It is at the level of 32-34 degrees, so you need to gradually lower the temperature of the water when bathing in the bath to these indicators.

Air baths

First of all, young parents need to learn the rule: you need to dress the child according to the weather, you can’t even wrap up newborns. But at the same time, the temperature is also taken into account during air baths - the child should not freeze.

In the summer, the procedure can be carried out 2-3 times a day for 2-15 minutes. The child is undressed and left to lie down in the open air or indoors if it is cold outside. The hardening procedure is preferably carried out either in the morning or after a daytime sleep.

sunbathing

The sun's rays contribute to the production of vitamin D in the body, so sunbathing is not just desirable, but a necessary form of hardening. Babies are advised to stay in the sun for no more than 2 minutes, children older than a year - no more than 20. At the same time, it is necessary to be in the sun at a favorable time: from dawn to 10 a.m., and after 4 p.m. to sunset.

Sunbathing when hardening a child is as important as dousing and wiping

At this time, the sun's rays do not have a harmful effect. But even at this time, it is necessary to protect the baby's head from direct sunlight with a cap or panama hat.

If up to 3 years of sunbathing is recommended at a temperature of +26 degrees, then older children can take sunbaths and at a temperature of +22 degrees. The duration of sunbathing is increased gradually.

Physical education and gymnastics

Gymnastics helps the baby's body develop in the right direction, stabilizes all body functions. But you should not force a child to do gymnastics. In infancy, gymnastics can be carried out by the mother, having previously received advice from a specialist.

When the baby is able to perform the exercises on his own, you need to turn the process into a game so that the child does not suspect how necessary this procedure is. Be sure to set an example for your child. For older children, it is recommended to equip a sports corner in the nursery, where he can practice on his own.

Physical exercises should be carried out in the morning or afternoon before meals, or two hours after meals.

Hardening of a child's throat

It is possible to combine general hardening procedures with hardening of the throat, which is especially important if the child often has a sore throat.

walking barefoot

Practice from the moment when the child learns to walk. At first, he can walk on the floor in socks, and then with bare feet; in the summer, the child is allowed to run on the grass and sand.
This practice contributes not only to strengthening the immune system, but also to the correct formation of the arch of the foot.

Hardening after illness

If the child has only recently been ill, water hardening procedures should be abandoned. They begin hardening with short air baths, do not forget about the periodic ventilation of the room and the fact that you do not need to put too many clothes on the baby.

Overheating threatens with increased sweating, as a result of which the child may slip through. It is especially useful after a cold to gargle with a saline or soda solution.

If hardening procedures are carried out, this does not mean that the child will not get sick at all. The frequency of diseases will decrease, but the possibility itself is not excluded. He can face the disease in any case, another thing is that the disease will proceed in a milder form and recovery will come faster.

And the sooner you start hardening, the sooner the problem of the body's low resistance to infection will be solved.

Video about hardening a child

Tempering a child:

Is it necessary to harden the child:

The most important thing for a two-year-old child is to improve health, increase stamina and resistance to colds. Hardening of children after a year is recommended by pediatricians.

How to start tempering a child at 2 years old

The child's immunity is finally formed by the age of 6-7, so children under 3 often catch a cold. You can improve the health of your baby using well-known methods.

Hardening should begin at a certain time, if the regularity of the procedure is violated, the effect disappears.

Feet. You can start hardening a child of 2 years old with techniques that easily fit into everyday life. Let the baby walk on the floor first in socks, and then take them off for a while, gradually increasing the time. Reflex points on the feet are directly related to the nasal mucosa, thereby hardening increases resistance to viruses, the child will be less likely to get sick. Walking barefoot will also help strengthen the arches and ligaments of the foot.

Air baths. It is useful for a child to walk in panties all year round. In summer, many parents practice this, and in winter the baby is carefully wrapped up. The child moves a lot, sweats, his body emits a lot of heat. As a result, you can catch a cold.

At a temperature not lower than 18 - 20 degrees, let the baby run or play in the same panties for 10-15 minutes, gradually increasing this time.

water procedures. Water procedures will help you harden a child of 2 years old: morning washing and washing, body massage with a wet mitten or towel, dousing hands and feet from two containers with warm and cold water, playing in the water. Make or buy a squirt bottle, have fun with toys in a full bathtub. Lots of options.

Morning procedures. After sleep, a short gymnastics is performed, at the end, let the child stay in light clothes and socks for a few more minutes. A two-year-old child will benefit from a morning shower lasting 30-90 seconds, with an initial water temperature of +34 degrees, in winter the lower threshold is +28, and in summer + 22. At the end, rub the baby with a dry cloth.

Sunbathing. Staying in the sun in summer is a traditional hardening method, but it also has its own rules: it is better to do it before noon in the shade of trees at a temperature of +22 degrees, starting from 3-10 minutes and during the week increase this time to 25 minutes. If the temperature is above 30 degrees, the child may overheat.

There are many more ways to harden: visiting a bath or sauna, swimming in the pool, physiotherapy exercises. The most effective and affordable among them is daily walks on the street 2 times a day for 2 hours. This will help your child to respond appropriately to the climate in which you live and maintain good health.

How to harden a child 2 years old

Tempering a 2-year-old child is not just a desire to improve his health, it is also a meaningful process of education and discipline.

To properly temper children from 2 years old, parents will be helped by simple but important rules:

only a healthy child can be tempered, this is done at any time of the year, but it is better to start in the summer;
harden gradually, cardinal methods will lead to colds, and this idea will have to be abandoned for a long time;
systematic and repeated exposure to cold on the body helps to develop an adequate response of blood vessels to low temperatures of water or air, and randomness will reduce the body's resistance;
should be taken into account individual characteristics child. Nervous, easily excitable children, according to pediatricians, do not tolerate cold well;
be sure to watch the reaction of the child. The baby is nervous and trembling - return to a temperature that is comfortable;
hardening for a child should be another game and cause joy;
when painful manifestations appear: runny nose, cough, loose stools - it is better to stop everything until complete recovery, and then start over.

Hardening children 1 - 2 years old allows you to strengthen the child's immunity, increase tone and appetite, gives impetus to a good mental and physical development, helps to develop resistance to stress, the child will always be in a good mood.

How to harden the throat of a child at 2 years old?

Hardening is a series of actions that are aimed at preventing and increasing the resistance of all the resources of the human body to the perception of external bad conditions and numerous infectious diseases.

The gargling procedure can also be attributed to hardening. This method is quite fast, affordable and easy to use.

With the help of simple actions to achieve recovery, it is quite simple. Such events are best introduced into the child's day regimen, when the warm season is outside, and the child should be healthy. It is best to start hardening a child at 2 years old.

Hardening with water. This method can be called the simplest, besides, it is available to absolutely everyone. Boiled tap water is used. Rinsing begins with warm water. Degrees are determined by the general condition of the child. With a frequency of 2-3 days, the water cools by one degree until the mark reaches 15-17.

Rinse method: water is drawn into the mouth, then the head is tilted back a little so that the water gets into the throat. Next, open your mouth and pronounce the sound "A" for as long as possible.

Herbal decoctions. You can also harden a child of 2 years old with the help of various herbal decoctions in order to enhance the benefits of rinsing with water.

Herbs used:

chamomile;
eucalyptus;
calendula.

Everything is done the same way as before.

Salt rinses. Great replacement sea water. For a glass of water you need to take 0.5-1 tsp. Salt and dissolve it in water. Experts recommend adding the same proportion of baking soda and about five drops of iodine to the solution.

Use of ice cubes. In order to harden a two-year-old child, ice resorption is used; this can replace rinsing. To do this, water is frozen in special molds. Further, when the ice is already ready, one piece is taken out of the mold and crushed into small pieces, and absorbed.

You can start hardening at any age, you just need to do it right. If your child is already over a year old, then it is convenient to start with a contrast shower.

Cold and hot shower.

First, the child must warm up, so warm water should be turned on (by the way, you can start tempering with the baby, it’s even more fun together in the shower). Water gradually needs to be made hotter. Warming should begin with the feet, then go to the palms, and then to the back. The back warms up from top to bottom. So that the child is not afraid of a sharp change in water temperature, beat this transition: “Well, now you and I got caught in the rain!”, And pour cool water over the baby in the same sequence - legs, palms, back from top to bottom, then turn on warm water again. Change the water temperature should be done three times.

It is important to always start with warming up and end with a cold douche. To begin with, the water contrast may not be very sharp (watch the child’s reaction, the main thing is that he should be pleased). Gradually increase the temperature difference and the number of treatments (up to 7 times). Before dressing the baby, wrap him for a few minutes in a towel or sheet (without drying), and let him sit for a few minutes.

A contrast shower is an invigorating procedure, so carry it out better in the morning, or during the day, not before bed. It is very important that the child likes dousing, so that he is pleasant and fun.

The use of contrast procedures is possible in kindergarten during charging (though only for the legs). You need 3-4 basins of cold water and the same amount of hot. Basins with hot and cold water are alternately placed, and the children overcome the "obstacle course". Be sure to start with a basin with hot water.

Contrast hardening in the bathroom.

Another very convenient type of contrast procedures. The child bathes in a bathtub in warm water, warms up, time is not limited. Prepare a bowl of cool water, or turn on the shower (depending on what you think your baby will like best). Invite him to run through the cold puddles or get caught in the cold rain. And pour cool water on his heels and palms. For the first time, this is enough, but gradually add dousing the back. Then again return to the warm bath. The procedure should be repeated 3 times. The water in the bathroom should always be warm, so do not forget to add hot water to it. Bathing should be finished with cold procedures, as with a contrast shower, the child must be wrapped in a sheet without wiping. Gradually increase the contrast of the water, the amount and time of cold exposure.

Contrasting leg wraps.

If your child did not like the contrast shower, try starting hardening with contrast pouring on the legs. You will need two basins (for cold and hot water). Water should reach the middle of the calf of the baby. For the first procedure, the temperature of hot water is 38-40 degrees, cold water is 3-4 degrees less. First, we lower the child’s legs into a basin of hot water (1-2 minutes), then “jump” into cold water (up to 20 seconds). Repeat back and forth 3 times. Every 5 days, lower the temperature of cold water by 1 degree and gradually bring it up to 17-12 degrees.

A very important and difficult rule of contrast procedures

In order for contrast procedures to have an effect, they must not be interrupted (even during illness). They contribute to the faster course of the disease.

Winter hardening a child 2 years

If over the summer you accustomed your child to contrast procedures, then in winter you can increase hardening by adding running in the snow (I experienced this type of hardening myself, I do not get colds very effectively and endure ARVI in a very mild form).

Basic rules when choosing a place for hardening:

1) Snow must be clean;

2) There must be ground under the snow (not asphalt, not concrete, not pavers)

3) You can not go out on the snow lying on the balcony.

It is very convenient to carry out races in the snow during bath procedures, after the child is well warmed up. Dress your baby in non-synthetic clothes, a hat and quick-release shoes (felt boots, woolen socks). The duration of standing on the snow at first is only a few seconds. Feet need to be quickly wiped, and back to the bath to warm up.

How do contrast procedures affect the body?

Proper and regular conduct of contrast procedures leads to the fact that the child stops getting sick. Why is this happening? In winter, under the influence of cold, there is a sharp narrowing of blood vessels, including from the nasopharyngeal region, so the virus freely enters the body. In a hardened person, the reaction to cold is reversed, the vessels of the feet expand sharply when exposed to cold, and after them the vessels of the upper respiratory tract expand, so the virus that enters the body meets the barrier and it is harder for it to penetrate further.

In addition to a positive effect on health, contrast procedures contribute to the production of endorphins and adrenaline, your mood improves, you feel a surge of energy. Therefore, do not be surprised that after a while, looking at the snow while walking, you will have a desire to run barefoot on it.

Sun and air baths

Sun and air baths are the easiest and most affordable way to harden a child.

The sun's rays have a very active effect on the child's immunity, and the younger his age, the greater the sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, in the summer, children under one year of age are not prescribed sunbathing at all. Very carefully should be sunbathing for children with increased excitability. Direct sunlight in the summer is very dangerous, so the procedures should be carried out only in diffused sunlight, since it has a lot of ultraviolet and few infrared rays, which cause overheating of the body.

But in autumn, winter and spring, direct sunlight no longer causes overheating, so their contact with the child is useful.

In summer, light-air baths for children from one to three years old can be carried out at a temperature of 20 degrees from 9 to 12 hours, in a hotter climate from 8 to 10 hours. The duration of the first bath is 5 minutes, gradually increasing to 30-40 minutes. Do not carry out air baths at temperatures above 30 degrees.

After sunbathing, it is good to carry out water procedures. After bathing, even if the air temperature is high enough, be sure to dry the child, as wet skin contributes to hypothermia.

Rules for hardening procedures in nature.

Summer is a great time for water procedures in nature. It is useful to give the baby the opportunity to run barefoot on the sand, on the grass, on the water. Walking barefoot in the morning dew gives a very good hardening effect. It is also convenient to take sunbaths in nature. To do this, you just need to undress the child and let him play, run, getting either in the sun or in the shade.

Swimming in the river is also a wonderful element of hardening. Do not force your child to enter the water. First, let him play next to the water on the sand near the water. The child is curious by nature, so he will slowly enter the water himself, then he will not be afraid of water, and will bathe with pleasure.

In summer, pouring can be done right on the street. Take a bath of water in the morning and put it in the sun. By lunchtime, the water will heat up, let the child play in it, then pour over it, wipe it off and immediately take it home. It is very useful for children to play and sit on the warm sand. And you can daytime sleep arrange in nature, in the shade, in the fresh air.