As the crisp Colorado air settles in and the leaves start to fall, so too arrives respiratory illness season – a time when coughs, colds, RSV, flu, and COVID-19 begin circulating through schools and homes across Metro Denver.
At Partners in Pediatrics (PIP), we take a Whole Child Health approach to care. That means blending the best of traditional Western medicine – including evidence-based preventive care like vaccines – with natural, integrative techniques from our Naturally Healthy Kids philosophy. Our goal is simple: help children not just avoid illness, but thrive all year long.
Here’s how to prepare your family for the season ahead.
1. Strengthen the Immune System from the Inside-Out
A healthy immune system is your child’s best defense. The foundation starts with nutrition, rest, and emotional well-being.
- Eat the rainbow. Focus on colorful, nutrient-dense foods rich in immune-boosting vitamins and minerals – think citrus, kiwi, bell peppers, spinach, and pumpkin seeds. Warm fall soups, stews, and bone broth nourish the gut and support overall vitality.
- Prioritize gut health. Since up to 70% of the immune system lives in the gut, probiotics (through yogurt, kefir, or supplements) can play a key role in prevention.
- Sleep deeply. Growing bodies need ample rest. Most school-aged children require 9–12 hours of sleep per night; teens may need even more. Establishing a calm, screen-free bedtime routine helps regulate the body’s immune and stress responses.
- Naturally Healthy Kids tip: Add a teaspoon of local raw honey (for children over 1 year old) to warm tea with lemon for a gentle immune and throat boost.
2. Stay Up-to-Date on Vaccines
Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness, particularly during respiratory season. At PIP, we strongly recommend families follow the AAP’s vaccine schedule, including seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Why it matters: Vaccines not only protect your child but also safeguard vulnerable community members such as infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Combination of care: Vaccines work best when paired with integrative prevention – nutrition, rest, and stress management – to keep the immune system balanced.
- Naturally Healthy Kids perspective: We see vaccination as one part of a holistic immune support plan. Supporting your child’s body naturally before and after vaccines – with hydration, good sleep, and nourishing food – helps minimize side effects and enhance overall resilience.
3. Optimize Vitamin D Levels
Even in sunny Colorado, vitamin D levels tend to dip in fall and winter. Low vitamin D is associated with increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
- Ask about testing. A quick blood test can check your child’s levels.
- Supplement safely. Many kids benefit from daily vitamin D3.
- Naturally Healthy Kids tip: When weather allows, encourage 15 minutes of outdoor play in midday sunlight – it’s a natural vitamin D boost and mood enhancer.
4. Be Proactive About Prevention
An ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. As viral activity increases, daily habits can make a big difference.
- Hand hygiene remains the number-one defense. Encourage regular handwashing before meals and after play.
- Avoid touching the face. Remind kids not to rub their eyes or nose, which can spread germs easily.
- Humidify your home. Dry air irritates nasal passages and can make infections more likely. Keep humidity levels around 40–50%.
- Naturally Healthy Kids tip: Diffuse child-safe essential oils like eucalyptus (in well-ventilated areas) to freshen the air and support easier breathing.
- Integrative supplements: Discuss seasonal support options – like elderberry syrup, vitamin C, zinc, or echinacea – with your PIP provider.
5. Keep Kids Moving (and Outdoors!)
Movement helps keep the body strong and the immune system active.
- Fresh air matters. Outdoor play exposes children to beneficial microbes that help “train” the immune system.
- Exercise regularly. Aim for 30–60 minutes of physical activity each day. Family walks, bike rides, or soccer in the park count!
- Naturally Healthy Kids tip: When weather permits, try “grounding” – walking barefoot in the grass or dirt. Emerging research suggests it may reduce inflammation and stress.
6. Support Mental and Emotional Wellness
A calm, connected child is a healthier child. Stress suppresses immune function and makes kids more vulnerable to illness.
- Open conversations. Ask your child how they’re feeling, both emotionally and physically.
- Mind-body tools. Practices like belly breathing, gentle yoga, and mindfulness can help regulate emotions.
- Naturally Healthy Kids tip: Use chamomile essential oil at bedtime to create a soothing atmosphere that promotes relaxation and sleep.
- Parental modeling: Kids mirror your energy. When you manage your own stress with compassion and balance, they learn to do the same.
7. Recognize Early Symptoms and Act Quickly
Prompt care often prevents minor illnesses from escalating.
Watch for:
- Fatigue or crankiness
- Runny nose, congestion, or cough
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
If your child shows early signs of flu, RSV, or COVID-19, call PIP for guidance. Our team can advise whether testing, an in-office visit, or at-home care is best.
- Naturally Healthy Kids tip: At the first sniffle, focus on fluids, rest, and gentle steam inhalation. Warm baths and saline rinses can ease congestion naturally.
8. Blend Traditional and Integrative Care
What sets Partners in Pediatrics apart is our integrative, evidence-based approach. We combine traditional pediatric medicine with natural wellness techniques to create a truly balanced model of care.
- Traditional care: Vaccinations, testing, and medications when appropriate.
- Integrative support: Nutritional counseling, herbal remedies, lifestyle adjustments, and mind-body guidance.
- Whole Child philosophy: Every illness is seen as an opportunity to strengthen – not just treat – the body’s natural defenses.
This partnership between conventional medicine and integrative care helps kids get better faster, stay well longer, and develop lifelong health habits.
9. When to Call Your Provider
While many respiratory illnesses are mild, contact PIP right away if your child has:
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- High or persistent fever
- Dehydration (dry mouth, few wet diapers)
- Rapid worsening of symptoms
We offer in-person and telehealth appointments and can guide you in choosing the right level of care.
10. A Whole Child Health Checklist for Respiratory Season
-Eat nutrient-rich, colorful meals
-Maintain daily outdoor time and movement
-Prioritize restful, consistent sleep
-Manage stress and emotional well-being
-Use humidifiers and keep nasal passages moist
-Supplement with vitamin D and probiotics
-Stay up-to-date on vaccines
-Address early symptoms promptly
-Partner with your PIP provider for guidance
Keeping Kids Well, Naturally and Traditionally
At Partners in Pediatrics, our mission is to help children thrive – body, mind, and spirit. Whether through vaccines, nutrition, or natural remedies, we believe prevention is the most powerful medicine.
This respiratory illness season, take a proactive, balanced approach to your family’s health. Schedule your child’s flu shot or check-up today, and ask about our Naturally Healthy Kids recommendations for immune support and wellness.
Together, we’ll help your family enjoy a healthy, happy fall and winter – naturally and holistically.