I want to teach my children effective hygiene practices to prevent infections, especially in school and during public outings. Please advise.

— Mou Mondal, Kolkata

Teaching children effective hygiene practices is crucial, especially in densely populated areas where the risk of infection is high. Here are some recommendations based on pediatric guidelines:

Handwashing. Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Encourage regular handwashing, especially before eating, after using the restroom and touching shared surfaces.

Hand sanitizer. Carry a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content during outdoor travel. Show children how to apply hand sanitizer and rub it over all parts of their hands until dry.

Respiratory hygiene. Teach children to cover their mouths and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose tissues properly and wash hands immediately afterwards. Encourage wearing masks in crowded places.

Avoid touching the face. Explain the importance of not touching their faces, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth, to prevent germs from entering the body.

Avoid sharing personal items. Teach children the importance of not sharing personal items such as water bottles or any items placed in the mouth. Demonstrate how to clean backpacks and lunchboxes. Involve them in routine cleaning tasks to teach responsibility and hygiene practices. Encourage them to carry portable toilet seat covers, especially girl children.

My seven-year-old son is not getting adequate sleep. What are your recommendations for parents living in noisy neighbourhoods to create a sleep-conducive environment for children?

— Johnny Praveen, Mumbai

Creating a sleep-conducive environment in noisy metropolitan areas is challenging. But here are some useful recommendations:

Soundproof the room. Use thick curtains or blackout shades to minimize outside noise. Consider installing soundproof windows or weather stripping existing windows to reduce noise infiltration. Add a thick rug or carpet to absorb sound and reduce noise from footsteps.

Use white noise machines. These machines mask outside noises with soothing sounds, such as ocean waves or gentle rain. Alternatively, a fan or an app with white noise options can serve the same purpose.

Create a relaxing bedtime routine. A consistent, calming routine will signal your son that it’s time to sleep. This includes activities such as reading a bedtime story or taking a warm bath. Avoid stimulating activities such as watching TV or playing video games before bedtime.

Maintain a comfortable room temperature. Keep the room cool, ideally between 16-20^oC, to ensure good sleep.

Control lighting. Use dim lights in the evening to prepare for bedtime, and ensure the room is dark during sleep. Consider using a nightlight with a soft glow if your child prefers some light.

Noise-reducing plants. Some plants reduce noise levels by absorbing sound. Although they won’t make a big difference, they create a calming environment.

Limit caffeine and sugar intake. Ensure your son doesn’t consume high-caffeine or sugary foods and drinks, especially in the afternoon and evening.

Keep digital devices out of the bedroom. Digital screens interrupt sleep, so keep phones, tablets, and TVs out of the bedroom.

Encourage physical activity. Ensure your son exercises/plays a sport/game during the day; this will make him fall asleep more easily at night.

(Dr. Saurabh Khanna is lead consultant, pediatrics and neonatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram)