You already provide your child with countless forms of immune support: A healthy diet, a restful sleep schedule, plenty of fresh air, and more. In this guide, learn how to optimize your little one's immunity through every age and stage.
What Is Immune Support?
The term immune support might sound complex, but it describes anything that improves the body's ability to fight infections. Examples of ways to support your immune system as an adult include eating a vitamin-rich diet and avoiding toxins such as cigarette smoke.
Supporting An Infant's Immune System
Supplement drops with plenty of vitamin A, C, D, E, and zinc can enhance your baby's immunity anytime you're concerned about the sniffles. Place a few dabs on the inside of your infant's cheek for an instant immune boost.
Breast milk provides your baby with the benefit of your immunity. Once your little one begins trying solid foods, let them taste the rainbow with colorful fruits and veggies. Produce picks packed with immune boosters, including citrus, berries, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, red grapes, apples, and kiwi - the brighter, the better.
Supporting A Toddler's Immune System
Toddlers and preschoolers can obtain immune support from delicious, nutritious elderberry syrup. This tiny purple berry has been used for thousands of years to improve the body's ability to fight infections and colds. Look for immune support syrups containing acerola, an antioxidant-rich fruit packed with vitamin A and C.
This fruit is packed with Vitamin C and is an excellent source of Vitamin A. Both of these vitamins are rich in antioxidants and help fight off sniffle season by keeping the immune system functioning at its highest capacity!
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Supporting A School-Aged Child's Immune System
Once your child starts school, emphasize the importance of proper handwashing to bolster the immune system. It's also critical to make sure kids in this age group get enough sleep. Most school-age children need at least seven to nine hours every night, even as they get older and homework and softball practice push bedtime later.
Becoming overweight or obese can impact your growing child's immunity and increase the risk for other health problems as they a. Talk to your kiddo's pediatrician if you have concerns related to weight, and set a good example by exercising as a family and preparing healthy meals and snacks.
Talk to older kids about ways to relieve stress. Feeling anxious, nervous, overwhelmed, or depressed makes it harder for the body's systems, including the immune system, to function correctly.
Equipping Your Lifestyle To Support Healthy Immune Systems
In addition to providing supplemental immune support for your child, don't forget to focus on your wellness. Stress relief positively impacts immunity, so slow down and schedule time for deep breathing exercises, a few of your favorite yoga poses, or any other practice you find relaxing. Your sleep remains important, so strive to keep a regular bedtime routine.
Exercise is vital when you want to maintain a healthy immune system. If you don't already spend active time as a family, get moving together. It can be as simple as a walk around the block or as adventurous as a hike at a local nature preserve. According to research reported by WebMD, just raising your heart rate for at least 20 minutes at least three times a week can benefit your body's ability to ward off baddies.
Creating a health-conscious home provides the foundation for your kids' future health, including a robust immune system. Wellements can help you give your babies a great start.
Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/10-immune-system-busters-boosters
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/how-use-your-immune-system-stay-healthy