Mikaal’s condition began to improve and gradually he regained the health and heartiness he was born with. However, I learnt a lot from his illness that I would like to share with other parents. To begin with, the cause of any cough or cold that lingers on for more than a week has to be determined. The irritating cough that most children have cannot be simply treated by an antibiotics course. It has to be properly diagnosed by the doctor. If the condition does not go away seek the advice of an allergy specialist.

Antibiotics are no cure and should not be taken without doctor’s prescription. Even if they are prescribed you should take more than one opinion. When children are born we should assist them in developing a strong immune system and that requires that children are breastfed. Besides that the food they eat and especially the amount of vegetables and fruits is essential. Antibiotics curb the strengthening of a strong immune system. I have learnt that a child’s illness is not fatal if s/he is not prescribed antibiotics for just a fever or cold.

Another frequently used bit of advice that I can give from my experience is that prevention is better then cure. I sometimes feel like such a fool when I police around Mikaal to not have cold water and juices. I check the juice that he drinks first to see that it is not very tangy. I keep a close watch in his intake and his diet and restrict ketchup as it has vinegar. Also too many fried foods when the throat is bad are not good at all. I am also a believer of clothing children properly. Polluted environment inclusive of cigarette smoke triggers off baby asthma and allergies as well. I do not allow anyone to smoke in our house as why should a child suffer from someone’s addictions.

In a city like Islamabad you have to watch out for seasonal changes when days are warm and nights very cold. Also keep a check for air-conditioning in warmer weather, that there is not extreme exposure to hot and cold. What we feed children from the time they start to eat is important. We in Pakistan rely a lot on carbohydrates. Try as much as possible to give natural porridge, fruit juices, and pureed fruit all of which have no added sugar. It is best to include home remedies as a part of prevention. I have become a big believer of using Joshanda (green tea with honey) and cod liver oil for my child during the winters. Sugar, sweets and chocolates should be avoided at all costs. Sweets that are tangy also can trigger off very bad coughs.

My last advice to parents would be to keep both boys and girls physically active and not curtail activity when children have allergies. These days parents facilitate children to become TV addicts and computer junkies. This energy can be diverted into outdoor activities. You will certainly find a difference in the physical growth of the young ones if they are running around, cycling, swimming or playing any other outdoor sport.

I see a difference in Mikaal’s allergies which seem very much under control. I can foresee that by his fifth birthday he would be free from my policing, if not entirely. I am happy to report that he is already cycling and is quite a pro at swimming with his Dad. He is learning horse back riding as well. Everyday he goes to a park and plays there and is only allowed to watch ‘Animal Planet’ just before going to bed. It is indeed essential to have well rounded children who are physically and mentally healthy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz is the Chief Executive of Children’s Resources International (CRI), Pakistan Limited. With more than 15 years of experience in the education sector, Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz initiated a program on child-centered interactive methodologies in the public sector in 2002 and is now implementing it in a whole district. The program focuses on Basic Education with Early Childhood Education (ECE) foundation, family literacy and training of faculty in universities to improve the methodologies of teaching, pedagogy and classroom environment. The program is being translated into national policy level decisions to improve the quality of education for marginalized children.