Every parent wishes to see their kids grow healthily. However, in times like today, when everyone is surrounded by an array of germs and viruses, keeping your child healthy can be a real challenge.
But if the well can’t come to you, you can surely go to the well to quench your thirst, right?
Don’t be confused! We mean that if you can’t stop your kids from getting exposed to germs, you can at least make sure that they don’t get infected. And how can you do that? By strengthening their immune system, of course!
Now, if that sounds like a plan to you, here are a few natural tips and tricks to help pump up your child’s immunity.
Increase phytonutrient intake
Colorful fruits and veggies like carrots, green beans, oranges, strawberries, etc., contain carotenoids that boost phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are produced by plants and help increase white blood cells and interferons in humans.
According to a study, a phytonutrient-rich diet can shield the human body from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Try including as many as five servings of vegetables and fruits in your child’s daily diet.
Read – List of phytonutrient-rich foods.
Limit the use of processed foods
Processed foods, like chips, candies, and soda jeopardize your child’s immune system. These foods carry high amounts of sugar, sodium, fats, and other additives, which possess zero nutritional value. When you stop serving these foods or snacks to your children, you lead them towards a healthy diet.
Introduce healthy sleep habits
When we sleep, our immune system releases cytokines which increase antibody count in our bodies. Research says sleep deprivation can make you vulnerable to diseases. Therefore both children and adults should follow a proper sleep routine.
Protect your children from smoke inhalation
Even if you’re a regular smoker, ensure that your children don’t inhale the smoke and fall prey to deadly medical conditions. Do it in private. Passive smoking makes children exposed to ear or respiratory infections, asthma, bronchitis, and many other illnesses. It can even hamper a child’s intelligence and neurological development.
Read – Diseases related to passive smoking
Practice daily exercise
Instead of pushing your children to go out and play, you should exercise with them. Inculcating habits like exercising will make your children fit and increase natural killer cells (NKC) in their bodies. You can even plan family activities like cycling, skiing, swimming, hiking, etc.
Nursing mothers, breastfeed your baby
Mother’s milk offers enormous benefits to an infant. Colostrum (thick-yellow mother’s milk) is rich in proteins and provides the baby with essential nutrients and minerals, which boost her immunity.
Mother’s milk protects the baby from various infections, allergies, pneumonia, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a mother should breastfeed the baby for the first six months. In case she can’t feed her for six months, she should at least serve her for two to three months.
Wrapping it up
Many people urge pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics to children so that their immune system stays in place.
However, they forget that antibiotics kill good bacteria too. Therefore one should stick to natural ways of boosting their child’s immune system and ensure long-term health benefits for their babies.