How to Increase Your Child’s Immunity

As your little ones grow, their immune systems are constantly evolving. That’s why it’s important as a parent to be aware about things they should do and not fall for misinformation. Here are some things I would recommend to keep your child’s immune system healthy.

Breastfeeding: The first food introduced to a baby is truly a game changer in improving immunity. So, continue exclusive breastfeeding for minimum 6 months or up to 2 yrs of age.

Healthy diet: The best way to be healthy is by making sure that kids are eating healthy, nutritious, clean foods every day. Feed your child a range of colourful fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. While children are known to love sugary snacks and treats, keep those at a minimum. According to the AHA, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables helps reduce risk of chronic health issues.

Physical activity: From building strength and managing body weight to boosting energy and preventing chronic illness, physical activity has numerous well-known health benefits. As your child roams the outdoors, they’ll be exposed to bacteria that form naturally in your local environment. As the immune system deals with these relatively harmless species, it primes itself for dealing with more serious infections.

Sun exposure: Research explains the beautiful benefit of sunlight in boosting immunity. All of us know that sunlight improves the level of vitamin D but researchers also report that exposure to sunlight appears to activate T cells, so they move rapidly throughout the body, which boost up the immune system.

Plenty of Sleep: It’s natural for young children to fight off nap time or early bed hours. While adults should get at least seven hours of sleep a night, kids need even more for their bodies and brains to fully recharge. It is reported that pre-schoolers need 10 to 13 hours, and school-aged children need 9 to 13 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Immunizations: It should come as no surprise that kids need to stay up to date on their vaccines. The point of getting vaccination shots is to protect them from contagious diseases that can often be fatal. Make sure your child gets all their age appropriate vaccines.

Hand Washing: It’s well known that younger children can often get sick. They tend to have more colds than adults, amounting to an average of 6 to 8 of them per year. Help your child prevent colds and avoid spreading germs to other children and adults by encouraging them to be as sanitary as possible from a young age. Teach them to properly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds every time they use the bathroom or touch a dirty surface.

With the help of good home training and regular visits to your paediatrician, child’s immune system can be strong. These tips will help keep your child safe and healthy.