We all want to keep our children safe, whether from falls, bumps and bruises, or illnesses and infections that can be avoided. Allowing children to roam freely and explore the world while under the threat of the COVID-19 epidemic can be concerning. So how to boost child immune system? Is there a method to strengthen the immune system and protect against COVID-19 and other illnesses?
Unfortunately, getting sick is an inevitable aspect of their development. Children gradually build up their immunity by fighting a constant stream of bacteria, viruses, and other organisms, which is why many pediatricians consider six to eight colds, flu episodes, or ear infections per year to be normal.
Our immune system is meant to fight sickness, keep germs and viruses at bay when it is functioning normally. We and our children are more vulnerable to colds, flu, and other dangerous illnesses if we are debilitated at any moment. In our daily lives, we're surrounded by bugs and germs, and this exposure can actually help to strengthen their immune systems. If this is not convincing enough, we have put up a list of natural ways to help boost your child's immune system.
1. A Healthy Diet
'Healthy' does not necessarily imply that you should feed your child salad and greens every day. It entails a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Five servings per day are recommended, with each serving taking up half of the dish. A nutritious diet includes whole grains, lean protein, dairy or other sources of calcium, and healthy fats such as vegetable oils.
Omega-3 fatty acids also have many health benefits and are commonly found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, fresh tuna, vegetable and rapeseed oils, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, flaxseeds, and green leafy vegetables. White fish like haddock, plaice, cod, and coley also contain some omega-3 albeit in lower amounts. Here is how to boost child immune system; try to incorporate fish twice a week in your child's diet, one portion oily, and the other white.
(source : Onmanorama)
2. Immunity Booster Snacks
The things you consume have a direct impact on your immunity and eating healthy foods can improve your child's natural defenses. Immune-boosting snacks may be beneficial whether you're preparing your child for cold and flu season or simply looking for good health all year. Here are three different sorts of immunity-boosting snacks that are appropriate for children, recommended by https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/immune-system#1 :
Yogurt
(source : Serious Eats)
Probiotics are healthy bacteria commonly found in yogurt. You may already be aware that these organisms live in your stomach and can help your body process food more effectively. They are, nonetheless, essential in supporting your body's recovery from illness. According to a study, children who often had yogurt drinks had a 19% lower risk of colds, ear infections, and sore throats.
Tips: Look for brands that say they contain live cultures. If it’s separated once you open the seal and you can see a little liquid at the top, that’s a good sign.
Walnuts
(source : Healthshots)
Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to your health in a variety of ways. According to experts, omega-3 fatty acids help your body battle sickness. Omega-3s were proven to reduce the number of respiratory infections in children. You can easily add chopped walnuts to your child’s cereal mix or other snacks.
Fruits
(source : Unsplash)
Let your little ones enjoy the colors of a rainbow when it comes to fruit. Because different fruits provide different vitamins and minerals, it's vital that your child consumes a diverse range of fruits, particularly vitamin C and carotenoids, which are responsible for the red, yellow, and orange hues found in many fruits and vegetables. These phytonutrients help to strengthen the immune system by supporting the body in producing more white blood cells to fight against infections. This is how how to boost child immune system, you make sure they consume adequate fruits.
3. Breastfeed Your Baby
(source : Loma Linda University Health News)
Due to the protective, immune-boosting antibodies found in colostrum—the "first milk" produced by nursing mothers—breastfed children are frequently healthier and have fewer allergies. If you are able to breastfeed your child, do so for as long as both you and your child are happy. Breast milk has many nutritional and immune-boosting benefits, and we are all encouraged to nurse our newborns. This is crucial for the development of a healthy immune system in children.
4. Get Them Active
(source : Webster United Methodist)
Encourage your children to spend as much time outside as possible throughout the year, not only for exercise and fresh air but also to absorb vitamin D, the best form of natural vitamin produced by sunlight. The body absorbs sunlight through cholesterol and converts it to a useable form of vitamin D, which is required by every cell in your body, including your immune system.
According to https://www.health.harvard.edu/, children should be active for at least an hour a day. Playing at the playground or going for a stroll can be just as active as participating in sports or going to the gym.
5. Stick to A Regular Sleep Schedule
(source : Mayo Clinic Health System)
Sleep deprivation reduces natural killer cells, which are immune system weapons that fight against bacteria and cancer cells, making you more prone to illness. The same is true for children, according to Kathi Kemper, M.D., director of Children's Hospital's Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research. Children in daycare are particularly prone to sleep deprivation due to the high level of activity, which makes it difficult for them to sleep at night.
So, how much sleep do children require? Each day, an infant may need up to 16 hours of sleep, toddlers 11 to 14 hours, and preschoolers 10 to 13 hours. If your child is unable or refuses to nap during the day, consider putting him/her to bed early.
6. Monitor Your Child’s Stress Level
(source : PBS)
We have a tendency to believe that stress is only experienced by grownups. Children's bodies react to stress in the same way as adults' bodies do, and they are frequently stressed too. It can stem from a variety of factors, including negative environment at home, school, peers, and so on.
Long-term stress weakens the responses of your immune system. That's because stress decreases the body's lymphocytes, the white blood cells that help fight off infection. Try to practice yoga and meditation to help your child relax. Plan enjoyable family activities together, or simply make your child (and yourself) laugh every day. Laughter can benefit our immune system by increasing particular cells, reducing stress levels, and raising endorphins, which are the feel-good hormones. Go and have fun!
7. Guard Against Germ Spread
(source : The Bump)
This is another key step on how to boost child immune system during a pandemic. Ensure that your children wash their hands frequently and with soap. Before and after each meal, as well as after playing outside, touching pets, blowing their nose, using the restroom, and returning home from daycare, you should pay special attention to their hygiene.
Carry disposable wipes with you when you're out and about. Allow children to choose their own colorful hand towels and soap in various forms and scents to encourage them to wash their hands at home. Another key germ-busting strategy is to toss out the toothbrush once your child is sick. The virus can spread from one toothbrush to another, so changing toothbrushes frequently is recommended, especially if your child has a bacterial infection like a sore throat. Tossing the toothbrush, in this case, protects both your child and the rest of your household.
What About Supplements?
When considering adding nutritional supplements to your child's diet, keep in mind the importance of sustaining the 5 Pillars of Health. A child's general health depends on getting enough sleep, remaining physically active, eating well, reducing stress, and developing healthy relationships. Adding extra supplements does not mean you can neglect those areas. Building a strong foundation of health for your children at an early age will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
It's crucial to remember that many children's supplements, especially those in syrup or gummy form, are sweetened. Make sure to look for vitamins without added sweets, as sugar impairs good immune function.
(source : Insight Care)
The UK’s Complementary and Nutritional Health Practitioner, Insight Clinic Care, has come up with a dietary supplement that supports your overall immune system. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, tumors, digestive disorders, arthritis, skin ailments, candida, and other fungal illnesses are now using Immune Support and its associated products. Immune Support provides their bodies the resources they need to naturally fight illness.
Immune Support Supplement is proven to help lower blood cholesterol, increase iron absorption, increase collagen production, metabolism level, protect tissues and cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. It contains:
· Peppermint
· Clove
· Neem
· Geranium
· Black Seed
· Frankincense
· Sweet Orange
· Oregano Coconut
· Spearmint
Take 10ml, 2 to 3 times a day diluted with water or juice, may also be taken neat.
Can be taken before, with or after meals. Please consult with your physician before consuming if you are pregnant, nursing, or undergoing treatment for a medical condition. It's also advisable to consult with your child's pediatrician before consuming.
In A Nutshell..
Every parents are struggling in their own ways to find the best ways to protect their little ones from any form of danger that may threaten their health. It’s better to start early and expose your child to good hygiene, a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of immunization. Nutritional supplements are recommended not just for adults but also for children to ensure whole health protection. So here are your answers on "how to boost child immune system".
To learn more about Immune Support Supplement and other products, please visit our website at https://www.insightclinic.care/