5 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Immune System
Children are more prone to illness because their immunity is still weak during their first years. At that time, their bodies cannot effectively fight off disease-causing viruses and bacteria. That could be why your child is getting colds, flu and other illnesses when they attend childcare in Chatswood.
Since our environment exposes us to different harmful organisms, you can only strengthen your child’s immunity to reduce their vulnerability. Here’s how to do it.
Breast Them Fully
Your child’s immunity at birth is temporary and deteriorates over the next months. This is where a mother’s breast milk takes over. It is loaded with antibodies which retain this immunity for a long time. Before your child receives any vaccination, they depend on your antibodies to passively fight off common illnesses.
That is why you need to breastfeed your child exclusively during their first six months. Even after you’ve introduced other foods into their diet, you are advised to continue breastfeeding.
A healthy breastfeeding routine has been known to prevent your child from suffering ear infections, flu, colds, pneumonia, allergies, diarrhea, just to name a few.
Balance Their Diet
Children can be picky. It is not unusual for them to favour certain foods over others. Parents often complain about their children refusing to eat vegetables while others only want sugary foods.
Your child might be a fussy eater, convincing you to only feed them what they prefer. However, you should not fall for this.
Your child needs to feed on a diet composed of sufficient amounts of proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, vegetables and healthy fats.
Talk to your pediatrician or a trusted caregiver from the best childcare in Macquarie Park for advice on how to serve the food appealingly. To encourage cranky eaters, you can serve small portions many times a day instead of a few large meals.
Invest In Adequate Sleep
Between birth and five years, your child needs at least 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep per day. Among the many benefits adequate sleep has on your child includes a strong immunity.
When they sleep, their body releases disease-fighting proteins known as cytokines. Cytokines help in fighting infections and inflammation which would otherwise affect your child’s well-being.
When at home, ensure your child sleeps well during the day. Childcare providers have scheduled nap times too.
Remain consistent in your schedules to get your child used to it. Changing sleep times can be confusing to your child and could leave them disoriented.
Add Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Salmon, nuts and seeds like flax seeds, dairy products like yogurt, avocados and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids boost your child’s immunity. These foods work by preventing inflammation.
They also improve the functionality of white blood cells and other immune cells. This way, your child is not easily attacked by common disease even when they are exposed.
Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases are easily kept at bay with a constant supply of omega 3 fatty acids.
Reduce Stress
Your child can be stressed just like an adult and this has adverse effects on their health. While your child may not tell you why they are stressed, you can tell from signs like headaches, tummy aches, mood swings, bedwetting, change in sleep patterns and even loss of appetite.
Stressful conditions weaken your baby’s growth rate and affect their brain functionality. In this state, their body does not produce enough antibodies and this exposes them to sickness.
Stress also leaves them anxious, making it hard for them to eat well hence a reduction in minerals absorbed.
Stress in little children more often arises from a sudden change of environment, loss and other traumatic experiences.
Enrol Them In Childcare
Many parents record an increase in infections and illnesses when their children first join childcare in Macquarie Park. This is because, in daycare facilities, one flu could move from one child to another very fast.
But this is not an entirely bad thing. Research indicates that your child’s immunity becomes better when they fall sick. In an attempt to fight off a cold, flu or any other disease, their bodies produce more antibodies which will remain long after the illness has cleared.
Since immunity is better achieved at an early age, your child has better chances of not falling ill when they finally join school. But that is achievable only if you enrol them in the best childcare in North Ryde.
In conclusion, you do not have to worry about your child falling sick often. Play your part by keeping their immune system strong. By putting the tips discussed above into action, you will help your child’s body become better in fighting off illnesses.
