Boosting Your Child’s Immune System

A happy and healthy child is what every parent wants. Not only because healthy children will give parents peace of mind, but a sickly child is frequently unhappy because they have to stay home and rest. 

The best way to keep children healthy is still the good old fashioned way of boosting their immune system and instilling healthy practices.

1) Serve more fruits and vegetables

Nothing beats the regular consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables. Incorporate vegetables into every meal and give children plenty of variety, taking note of what they like and what they dislike.

Tip: Forcing children to eat vegetables or fruit they dislike will only be counterproductive to the whole process of making it a habit. Taking note of what they like and dislike and then slowly introducing other vegetables and fruit will give parents better chances of becoming successful with this process. As children get older they will become more adventurous. Patience is key!

2) Set and stick to a regular sleep schedule

Sleep is so important for children (and adults) and is a great way to keep the immune system working in tip top shape. Children should get eight to ten hours of sleep every night. This is also one of the best ways to get them growing!

Tip: Start sleep training at infancy to really instill good sleeping habits.

3) Teach proper hygiene

Children who practice proper hygiene are less likely to accidentally ingest harmful bacteria or catch an illness. Frequent handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and regular bathing and toothbrushing are just a few of the habits children need to have in order to maintain good hygiene.

4) Have them drink lots of water

Did you know that kids have more water percentage in their bodies than adults? At birth, an infant is made up of about 78% water and drops to about 65% when they turn 1 year old. The average adult body is made up of 60% water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water helps our bodies: keep its temperature normal, lubricate and cushion joints, protects our spinal cord and other sensitive tissues and gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.

Tip: Make water drinking an early habit by choosing not to introduce any other drink alternatives until after the age of two. That means no juice, no sodas, no flavoured milk, etc. until after the age of two.

5) Encourage snacks with probiotics and omega-3

Snack time is an important time for many kids. Unfortunately, for many kids, snack time also means junk food: cookies, candies, brownies and chips. 

One of the best ways to make snack time nutritious is by simply not keeping any junk food in the house. Instead, keep stock of snacks with probiotics and omega-3, such as yogurt, yogurt drinks, and walnuts. (Other nuts make great snacks too!) 

These will help their digestion, which in turn will help their immune systems because they will be able to get the most out of the other foods they consume.

Tip: Setting the child’s palate early in life will also make it easier for them to choose healthy foods above anything else.

A healthy diet is the ultimate method of boosting your child’s immune system. Setting the above habits early in life is one way for parents to make sure that children get used to a healthy lifestyle all throughout their lives.