If you’re the parent or guardian of a child or baby, you may be wondering how you can boost your child’s immunity. Here’s a brief look at the differences between children’s and babies’ immune systems and five tips for enhancing each group’s immunity, from incorporating immunity-boosting foods in the diet to administering Wellements elderberry immune syrup.
Child vs Baby Immune Systems
The immune system comprises proteins and cells that work together to protect the body from infection. Humans’ immune systems develop throughout life with exposure to various disease-causing germs. While in the womb, an individual receives antibodies from the mother. Birthed babies produce antibodies whenever they encounter germs or viruses and, as they grow into children, they continue to develop immunity. Children, therefore, tend to have more developed and sturdier immune systems than babies.
Tips for Improving Children’s and Babies’ Immunity
1. Breast Feed Your Baby:
When babies are in the womb, they receive potent antibodies from their mothers, such as colostrum, a milky fluid that contains nutrients to fight disease and support growth. Experts note that babies breastfed for at least six months tend to be less prone to allergies and infections than their non-breastfed peers.
2. Provide a Healthy Diet:
Once children are old enough to eat a soft or solid diet, dieticians recommend a diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful immunities boosting foods for kids, so think about adding foods such as oranges and assorted citruses as well as iron-rich options, including spinach, cashews and almonds.
3. Schedule Adequate Sleep:
Restful and adequate sleep, supports immunity, healing, and overall physical and mental well-being in humans of every age group. When children get the recommended amount of interrupted sleep, somewhere between 10 and 14 hours, their immune systems are more successful at staving off infections. Setting a regular bedtime for your children enables them to stay well-rested and rise every morning with ready-to-go energy.
4. Incorporate Organic Products:
Where possible, seek to incorporate organic products into your daily routines so that you’re giving our children the most nutritious and close-to-nature food and items possible. Many are completely free of chemicals and pesticides and range from fresh fruits to nourishing products such as Wellements elderberry immune syrup and cough medicine for 2-year-old children. Look for the USDA-certified organic label whenever and wherever you shop.
5. Get Outside and Play:
Children need to enjoy plenty of rest and active play to achieve healthy and happy lifestyles. Exercise, especially activities that take place outdoors, helps humans of all ages to reduce stress levels, rebalance hormones and connect with the natural world. Deep breathing, meditation and quiet activities, such as jigsaw puzzling and reading, can also help your child stay happy, healthy and stress-free.
If you’re keen to learn more about how you can improve your child’s or baby’s immunity with diet, daily habits and speciality products, browse pediatric, nutrition and organic product websites. Many of these online resources provide FAQs and blogs to answer your questions or support your product choices.