There are many things I love about Fall and Winter: cool weather, warm sweaters, holiday parties, and hot chocolate to name a few. Cold and flu season? Not so much. Nobody likes to be sick or see their children feeling ill, so what are you doing to protect your family?

With the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, I am being more vigilant in hand washing practices and using hand sanitizer whenever necessary. The news of the availability of the H1N1 vaccine has made me take a closer look at the outbreak and it’s severity in order to make an informed decision on whether or not to vaccinate my children.  I found some great information about the vaccine on the Center for Disease Control website.

Short of living in a bubble, I think it is nearly impossible to escape every cold or flu strain this season.  After following your Doctor’s advice, how do you help your children through these rough times?  Extra hugs?  Chicken Noodle Soup?  Ice cream?

One available option is the homeopathic products from Boiron. For more than 75 years, Boiron has been committed to funding scientific research and educating the public and healthcare professionals on homeopathic medicines. As a pharmaceutical company, Boiron maintains the highest standards in manufacturing, complying with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and drug Good Manufacturing Practices.

New to help parents are Children’s Oscillococcinum to nip flu-like symptoms in the bud and Children’s Coldcalm Pellets, a multi-symptom cold reliever. Along with Children’s Chestal for all types of coughs, these homeopathic medicines work safely and naturally without causing side effects and they won’t interact with other medications. They do not contain any of the ingredients questioned by the FDA for use in young children. All three are sweet-tasting and kid-friendly. All three are from Boiron, world leader in homeopathy and maker of Oscillococcinum^®, which has been relied upon by families around the world for more than 65 years.

While I hope you and your family escape the flu “bugs” this year, feel free to share with me your tips for keeping your family healthy and/or nursing them back to health.  Do you plan to vaccinate your child against H1N1 this year?  How did you make this decision?