Are you worried about your child falling sick now and then due to an allergic cough or cold? Have you tried every method possible to improve your child’s immunity, but in vain?
Improving a child’s immunity is not rocket science and no medicine will improve your child’s immunity. Medicines can help treat a cough and cold, but they can’t prevent your child from falling sick again. To improve your child’s immunity you need to incorporate a few lifestyle changes. So, let’s dig deep into this topic.
How do you know your child has a Weak Immune System?
Getting a cold and flu doesn’t indicate that your child has a weak immune system. However, getting sick more frequently and if the sickness lasts more than a week then, that indicates a weak immune system.
Every time a child’s immune system fights off an infection on its own, the natural way without any interference or suppression, his/her immune system gets stronger.
Signs of a Weak Immune System:
Below are the signs that might indicate a child has a weak immune system.
- If a child falls sick frequently and takes longer to recover
- If a child has digestive issues like poor appetite, diarrhea, etc.
- If a child feels always tired
- If a child has a sleep disorder
- If the wound takes longer to heal
- If there is a delay in the growth and development of a child
- If a child is not having a daily bowel movement
- If a child is not active
If your child is experiencing any of these then, you should work on improving his/her immunity the natural way. Let us first understand what immunity is?
What is Immunity?
In simple words, immunity is protection from diseases. Immunity is our body’s ability to recognize different types of foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses, germs, or any toxic substances to prevent them from causing diseases.
There are two types of immunity:
- Natural Immunity
- Acquired Immunity
What is Natural Immunity?
The immunity that is naturally existing. Natural immunity is immunity due to the possession of suitable genetic characteristics rather than immunity produced in response to a vaccine.
What Is Acquired Immunity?
Acquired immunity is immunity arising from exposure to antigens. Acquired immunity develops in response to an infection or vaccination, or by the transfer of antibodies from an immune donor.
What can cause a weak Immune System?
The immunity of a child is not as strong as an adult. A child’s immune system is not fully developed until the age of 7 to 8 years.
An unborn baby receives antibodies from the mother through the placenta in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This gives the baby some protection when they are born.
However, the mother’s immunity level determines the type and amount of antibodies passed to the baby.
This passive immunity passed on from the mother at the time of birth doesn’t last long and starts to decrease in the first few weeks.
Several factors affect the immunity of a child.
- Poor diet
- Lack of sleep
- Poor gut health
- Not enough physical exercise/outdoor playtime
- Certain vitamin deficiencies like vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, folic acid, selenium, and zinc.
What can I do to improve my child’s Immunity?
And the answer is by making a few lifestyle changes you can substantially improve your child’s immunity. Let’s look at the factors that contribute to building a strong immunity of a child.
Breastfeeding and Immunity
Breast milk contains protein, fats, sugars, antibodies, and probiotics. Breast-fed babies have better immunity than formula-fed babies.
If you are a new mom, then to increase your baby’s immunity you should consider breastfeeding for at least six months.
Breastfeeding in the initial years contributes towards the immunity of a child.
For some reason, if you couldn’t breastfeed your baby, then no worries mamas, still you can work on your child’s immunity. Continue reading to know-how.
Balanced Diet and Immunity
Poor nutrition can harm the immune system. So, it is necessary to give your kids a balanced diet that includes a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Certain nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, iron, and folic acid weakens the immune system, thus making the child more susceptible to various infections.
Get your child’s vitamin levels checked regularly. Check with a pediatrician if your child needs any nutritional supplements.
Sleep and Immunity
Lack of sleep can affect a child’s immune system. When we sleep our immune system produces protective substances like cytokines and antibodies. Without sufficient sleep, a child’s body produces fewer cytokines, thus weakening the immune system.
A child needs quality sleep each night for better immunity.
Recommended sleeping hours for children of different ages:
| Age | Recommended hours of Sleep |
| 0-3 months | 14-17 hrs |
| 4-11 months | 12-15 hrs |
| 1-2 years | 11-14 hrs |
| 3-5 years | 10-13 hrs |
| 6-13 years | 9-11 hrs |
| 14-17 years | 8-10 hrs |
For better immunity make sure your child is getting the recommended hours of sleep as per his/her age. A regular sleep schedule will help you achieve that.
Gut Health and Immunity
A healthy gut will strengthen a child’s immune system. Gut health affects how the immune system will respond to foreign microbes like viruses and bacteria entering the body.
A balanced diet, enough sleep, and exercise can increase gut health.
Certain medications like antibiotics, kill the good bacteria and damage the gut.
Outdoor playtime and Immunity
Make sure your child spends plenty of time playing outside. Regular sun exposure will help in making vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune system.
A child should play at least for an hour daily outside. Not only this does strengthen his immune system, but also it improves mood, releases stress, and contributes towards the overall development of a child.
What are the home remedies to boost the Immune System?
Along with a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and proper sleep, there are a few home remedies you can try to boost your child’s immunity.
- Chewing 5-6 tulsi leaves daily on empty stomach helps improve immunity.
- Indian spices like black pepper, clove, dry ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, carrom seeds, ginger, garlic, etc. help to improve immunity. Try to incorporate these spices into your kid’s daily diet.
- Stress weakens the immune system. Give your child a daily massage with sesame oil or any massage oil to help release stress and sleep better.
- Drinking a cup of warm turmeric milk before bedtime may help improve immunity.
Conclusion
Immunity is not something that can be swallowed in a pill or drink. It is the result of a good diet and a healthy lifestyle.
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