Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Today, Sunday, November 20, is International Children's Fund (UNICEF) 'World Children's Day 2022'. On November 20, 1989, world leaders implemented the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the history of the world. Children's Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries. In our country since 1996 the birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is celebrated as Children's Day. And the first Monday of October is World Children's Day.

Internationally, June 1st is Children's Day. And Universal Children's Day is November 20. UNICEF celebrates World Children's Day for and with children worldwide in light of the Charter of Rights of the Child. On this day, UNICEF mobilizes support to solve children's biggest problems, raises awareness of children's rights and raises much-needed funds.

The impact of Covid-19 over the past two years has caused irreparable damage to children's education, nutrition and overall well-being. Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, school closures have disrupted the education of 3.7 million children in Bangladesh and about 800 million children across the Asian continent.

Rising poverty, inequality, conflict, climate disasters and health emergencies such as Covid-19 are creating an ongoing nutritional crisis among the world's youngest. Only one in three children aged 6-23 months in Bangladesh is getting the minimum recommended nutrition.

In 2013, 1.7 million children were engaged in labor in Bangladesh. The number of child laborers worldwide has reached 160 million—an increase of 8.4 million children in the last 4 years. Millions more children are at risk due to the impact of Covid-19.

Despite significant progress, the rate of child marriage in Bangladesh is still alarming. 51 percent of women, currently aged 20-24, were married as children or teenagers. By the end of this decade, there could be one million additional child marriages worldwide, threatening ongoing progress in ending the practice.

Children expect governments, businesses and society leaders to deliver on their commitments to children's rights without delay. Adults must ensure that every child enjoys their full rights.

> Diseases of children in winter :-

Generally, seasonal changes affect everyone more or less. Seasonal change increases the prevalence of various diseases. Children get sick especially in winter. And in winter, everyone's body needs extra care. Because the weather is dry during this time, various skin problems occur. Many problems are seen inside and outside the body. Especially if you want to keep your Sonamani healthy, you need extra precautions, extra care.

Maybe we get a lot of advice from relatives or elders in these matters. But all suggestions may not be correct in all cases. And this can be a problemIn this winter, children are more affected by cold, cough, sore throat, fever, pneumonia. Children are mainly affected by these diseases due to the dry and dusty weather in winter. So at this time the parents should be aware.

> Be aware:- Children should be kept away from cold air and dust. Since these diseases are transmitted in winter, it is better to take children as little as possible to crowded places. Children's towels, handkerchiefs, towels, etc. should be kept separate and children should be kept away when the infected person sneezes.

Children should be taught to wear face masks when taking them to school or outside. Ginger lemon tea, gargara in hot water, honey, tulsi leaf juice etc. can be given to the child in such problems. But if the problem is more, you must consult a doctor.

> Hot water:- Children should drink and use lukewarm water. After waking up in the morning, if you use light yellow warm water for various activities of children including brushing their teeth, washing hands and mouth, eating, children will be free from cold problems at this time. Children should be bathed regularly even in winter. However, it is better to use lukewarm water of body temperature while bathing. However, in the case of newborns or children who have cold problems, the whole body can be wiped by soaking clothes in hot water. Many people bathe their children with mustard oil. It leaves the baby's hair wet and cold even after the bath.

> Warm clothes:- Children should wear woolen clothes. However, according to the doctor, it is not right for children to wear woolen clothes directly. It can cause children to be allergic to the tiny hairs of the wool.

A cotton cloth should be worn over it with a woolen cloth and the cloth should be of soft cloth. Because rough or hard clothes can cause problems on children's soft skin. However, in mild winters, children's warm clothing should not be made of very warm fabric. Because wearing too warm clothes can cause the baby to get cold from sweating in the heat. Dress children in light full sleeved ginghams before bed at night and light winter clothes in the mornings and evenings on the way to and from school.

> Food:- Children's tendency to eat decreases during winter. As a result, their body deteriorates. They should be fed nutritious food frequently. Children should eat egg yolk, vegetable soup and fruit juice to increase skin smoothness and glow. Especially carrots, beets, tomatoes are very beneficial for children's skin. Apart from this, you can cook khichuri with different types of winter vegetables. Care should also be taken that children do not eat any kind of cold food during this time.

> Skin care :- Children's skin is much more sensitive than adults. So their skin becomes very rough. Use baby lotion, baby oil, glycerin etc. on baby's face and body.

> Watch out for infection:-

Children are more prone to infections in winter, mainly because their immunity levels are lowIf you notice that your child is breathing loudly, coughing loudly or having difficulty breathing during sleep, he may have an infection, take your child to his doctor immediatelyAnd if it is a common cold and the condition is not too severe, you can opt for home remedies. Even a common cold can disrupt your baby's sleep patterns and make him tired and groggy the next daySo to help him get a good night's rest, gently massage his neck, chest and back with Vicks Vaporab** (suitable for children aged 2 years and above) and wrap a light blanket over himThe natural properties of menthol and eucalyptus oil will help your baby to breathe without any difficulty and get rid of cough. For babies aged 3 months and above you can use Vicks BabyRab * which helps moisturise, soothe and calm a babyBabyRab and your loving touch will jointly moisturize your baby while the lavender and rosemary scent of this balm will help him relax and sleep.

Finally, taking care of your baby in the winter will require you to be a little extra careful, and sometimes over-cautious. But as long as your baby is warm and safely protected, it's okayFollow the above mentioned guidelines to take good care of your baby during the beautiful winter days and don't panic if your baby sneezes once or twice.

Author, Founder, Jatiya Rogi Kalyan Society