How to boost your child's immunity

Our younger generation is capable of breaking records for the speed of mental development, far ahead of their peers. But at the same time, the children’s health leaves much to be desired. They get sick often and often have weak immunity. Due to insufficient immune protection, the child's body remains vulnerable to even the simplest infections.

That is why modern parents are often interested in how to increase a child’s immunity in preschool and school years, and what means are needed for this. And some adults continue to monitor the health of their offspring further, learning from doctors how to improve a teenager’s immunity.

Scientists have repeatedly proven that in approximately 60-65% of cases the level of immunity depends on the state of the gastrointestinal tract. It turns out that it can be strengthened with proper nutrition, as well as by taking vitamin and mineral supplements. A healthy stomach microflora will help improve overall well-being and speed up the digestion and digestion of food. It will also improve the condition of the immune system, helping to cope with common colds and various viruses.

Causes of decreased immunity in children

The main reasons for a sharp weakening of the immune system in children of preschool and school age are diseases, their complications, as well as severe stress.

Before figuring out how to improve a child’s weak immunity, it is important to establish why it has decreased. This may be due to:

Physical and mental fatigue. Therefore, before sending your child to a fashionable lyceum, or enrolling in various sections, think about whether he will cope with such a rich program.
Chronic lack of rest and constant lack of sleep. Unfortunately, gadgets can steal time that kids can use more efficiently: for games and sleep. Only a clear daily routine will help combat this. Please note that babies need to sleep a little more time in winter than in summer. This is due to the length of daylight hours.
Lack of oxygen. It is observed in children who spend all day indoors and rarely walk outside.
Physical inactivity. If you are afraid that your baby will get injured during active street games, and he flatly refuses to do morning exercises, offer him an alternative. Dancing is a great way to relieve stress and increase physical activity!
Poor food. Yes, children love junk foods: chocolate, baked goods, French fries and other fast food. But if you unobtrusively offer them juice or fruit, they will happily gobble it up. When creating a diet, remember that children do not evaluate food based on its usefulness. It is important to them that it is tasty or beautifully decorated.
Dehydration of the body. Usually children drink water before and after meals, guided by their own desires. But sometimes they are sorely lacking moisture. Therefore, along with plain water and teas, offer your child a herbal decoction (for example, chamomile), compotes and juices, as well as jelly, uzvar, etc. It's both tasty and healthy.

It is important to know : in preschool age (up to 6-7 years), the child’s immune system is actively developing. Therefore, for the cold season, 8-10 cases of colds are considered normal. At school, the number of diseases is reduced by approximately 2-2.5 times. The next “dangerous” period occurs during puberty (13-15 years).

Vitamins to strengthen children's immunity

Some Western pediatricians believe that a nutritious diet will provide the child with all the necessary nutrients 17Read more in the source. But Russian experts believe that even with a varied diet, vitamin deficiency can reach 20–30%. In this case, doctors may recommend that the child take an additional vitamin and mineral complex.

There are a lot of options for vitamin-mineral complexes, and they are all varied in composition. However, most vitamin supplements contain vitamin A

,
C
and
D
, as well as
B
. But the decision about what is necessary for the child’s immunity and which vitamin complex to choose remains with the pediatrician, who will make a recommendation based on age and health status.

In addition to taking specialized vitamin-mineral complexes, you can also provide the body with additional micronutrients by adding fortified fermented milk products to your diet. An excellent remedy for this purpose is the fermented milk drink “Imunele” for children. It contains 6 vitamins: A

,
D3
,
E
,
B6
,
B9
,
B12
, which are important for the normal functioning of the immune system, and their quantity takes into account the child’s daily requirement for these vitamins. One bottle of the drink contains at least 15% of the daily requirement of the listed vitamins. It is recommended to give your baby two bottles a day to help support the normal functioning of the immune system in an actively growing body.

Signs of reduced immunity in children

In addition to the increased frequency of colds, there are other signs of weakened immunity in children. They leave a negative imprint on the baby’s well-being, as well as on his mental and physical development.

Among these signs:

Deterioration of auditory and visual memory.
Decreased concentration. It becomes difficult for the child to concentrate on simple things.
Increased nervousness and irritability. The little ones are often capricious for no apparent reason, while parents vying with each other offer them food and drink, rock them in their arms and soothe them with the whole family.
Skin rashes and dryness, cracks and “jams”.
Lethargy and apathy. The baby is indifferent to everything, he does not show interest in his favorite toys.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (constipation or diarrhea, stomach pain, etc.), lack of appetite.
Sudden changes in body weight.
Development of physical inactivity - the baby is unable to cope with simple physical activity, often complains of tiredness and fatigue, as well as muscle pain.

A healthy child should be active, inquisitive and mobile. If the decrease in activity is not caused by an exacerbation of chronic diseases, then the culprit is a weakening of the immune system. Therefore, you should first consult a pediatrician, and then start selecting means to strengthen the immune system.

Useful information : immunity is divided into congenital, inherited from parents, and acquired. The latter can be strengthened with the help of auxiliary means.

WHY DO CHILDREN, STARTING FROM 1–2 YEARS OLD, GET SICK SO OFTEN?

Many parents already know that the “culprit” of frequent infections is the baby’s immature immune system. If a newborn baby is protected by maternal antibodies for about 6 months, then the little person has to rely only on his own immunity, which will have to learn to recognize and destroy foreign structures.

In order to protect the fragile child’s body at first, parents must create special conditions for their baby. So, in the first months of life, it is better to protect the child from unnecessary contacts - strangers can be carriers of various “unfamiliar” microorganisms in your family.

Having reached the age of one year, the baby already has a fairly stable cellular immunity. But now it’s time to get acquainted with the world around us, beyond the boundaries of an apartment or house.

How to boost a child’s immunity after an illness

Don’t know how to boost the immunity of a frequently ill child? To begin with, provide him with adequate nutrition, and also take short exercise every day (if the baby’s body temperature is normal).

It’s very easy to motivate your child to take another walk. Here are some effective ways to boost the immunity of a 4-year-old child through regular exercise:

Buy him a skateboard, scooter or bicycle.
If you have a dog in your family, walk it together.
Would you like to go on a city tour together? Tell your child the history of individual streets and houses, show them monuments - he will probably be interested in listening!
Walk to visit relatives and friends, as well as to kindergarten or school (if time and distance permit).
Accustom him to water procedures and hardening. It is important to maintain a sense of proportion and act gradually - for example, start in the summer with swimming in open water or a pool.

Change the environment from time to time - for example, come to the Carpathian region, where children can take a leisurely walk through the forest or plain and breathe in healing fresh air. And also drink a course of mineral water prescribed by your doctor and do simple physical procedures. This prevention is recommended:

Children who are often ill throughout the year.
For children with chronic diseases of the spine, respiratory tract, stomach, and nervous system.
For schoolchildren and students after the end of the school year - to relieve excess stress and rehabilitation after prolonged overload.

Interesting to know: walking outside at different times of the year is a unique alternative to hardening. In summer, children's bodies receive a sufficient amount of vitamin D by sunbathing, and also learn to adapt to the heat. In autumn and winter, children who walk outside almost every day develop resistance to cold and damp air. Therefore, they catch colds much less often than their peers who spend all their time indoors.

Pay special attention to how you can increase your child’s immunity in elementary and high school. During this period, the growing body experiences severe stress from changing its usual environment, as well as significant overload. Therefore, a good rest will be doubly useful for future schoolchildren and students.

How to boost your child's immunity after antibiotics

After a long hospital stay, children's immunity is greatly weakened. Antibiotics play an important role in this. On the one hand, medications help fight harmful microorganisms and also prevent the development of the inflammatory process. On the other hand, they also inhibit beneficial intestinal microflora.

To quickly recover from illness, doctors recommend:

Along with medications, take special medications that protect the stomach and intestines.
After drug treatment, take a course of vitamins selected by your pediatrician.
Balance your diet by temporarily avoiding fatty and heavy foods. And also reduce the consumption of sweets, replacing them with fresh and dried fruits, candied fruits, and natural honey.
Monitor compliance with the daily routine. The baby should go to bed at the same time, and kindergarteners should also rest during the day.
If possible, reduce stress during the recovery period. For example, reduce attendance at sports training, or take time out from tutors.

The child's body must produce antibodies on its own. It is only necessary to help him a little in this by creating favorable conditions.

How to boost a child’s immunity with allergies

To figure out how to increase a child’s immunity with allergies, you first need to find out what exactly such a reaction is to. Perhaps this is observed during the flowering period of certain plants, or occurs during close contact with cats.

To find out the exact list of allergens, you need to do allergy tests. And then try to minimize contact with external irritants.

An allergy is a reaction of the body's immune system. Here are some general recommendations that will help boost children's immunity against allergies:

Regularly consume vitamin C - it has a positive effect on the condition of the mucous membrane of the eyes, reducing its irritability.
Go to the sea or out of town every year. Any water procedures have a beneficial effect on the state of the immune system. You can rinse the nasopharynx with clean sea or mineral water (3-4 rinses for each nostril) or gargle. This simple technique will help reduce the risk of allergic rhinitis, as well as strengthen the respiratory system.
Monitor the functioning of the baby’s stomach and liver. This will help reduce the frequency of skin rashes.
Spend more time outdoors and sunbathe. When exposed to sunlight, the body produces vitamin D, which is also important for the immune system.

How is infant immunity formed?

The immunity of children under one year of age is completely different from that of teenagers and adults. The formation and strengthening of immune defense occurs during the first 12 months of life. The first barrier to infection is the skin and mucous membranes. Susceptibility to pathogenic microorganisms largely depends on their condition. Irritated and damaged mucous membranes can no longer fully perform their functions, so the risk of getting sick increases.

Acquired immunity is of two types:

cellular - carried out by special cells T-lymphocytes, which recognize and kill antigens, leaving a cellular memory of them;
humoral - based on the production of appropriate antibodies, or immunoglobulins.

A newborn baby is protected only by maternal antibodies and humoral immunity, because the baby’s lymphocytes do not yet have information about antigens. By 3-6 months, a significant part of the antibodies received from the mother disintegrates, and the formation of its own protection has not yet been completed. Therefore, in the period from 6 months to a year, the child is especially vulnerable. Only in the 13th month of life is the immune system largely ready for defense.

The task of loving parents is to help their son or daughter boost their immunity in order to successfully resist the attack of viral agents.

How to boost your child's immunity at home

Are you looking for professional advice on how to boost your child’s immunity at home? Rixos PR pediatricians advise not to run to the nearest pharmacy, but first carefully study the baby’s usual diet and, if necessary, adjust it.

Baby food should be sufficiently varied and balanced. Here is a short list of useful substances that should be present in food:

Vitamins C, E - help improve blood quality and enhance the body's natural protective function. They are found in rose hips, citrus fruits, fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, apples, fresh and sauerkraut, vegetable oil, sunflower seeds, whole grain oatmeal, spinach, and eggs.
Omega-3 is a complex of fatty acids that increase resistance to viruses and bacteria. Contained in fatty sea fish (sardine, salmon, mackerel) and nuts.
Zinc is an important trace element. Helps neutralize pathogens that have entered the body. Look for it in turkey meat, beef liver, and dairy products. Please note that vitamins C and D should be combined with zinc, since they complement each other.
Echinacea (in syrup, drinks, capsules) is a simple and inexpensive way to boost a child’s immunity at home. Normalizes the functioning of the lymphatic system, accelerates the healing process.
Garlic (or ginger) is an excellent immune system stimulant. When cooked, they partially retain their properties, so they can be used as taste improvers in main foods.

How to boost your child’s immunity in autumn and spring

In the off-season and winter, the growing body is especially susceptible to the influence of viruses. Therefore, it is important to monitor the baby’s health. And if cases of colds become more frequent, find out how to boost the immunity of a 3-year-old child.

Here are some simple but effective tips:

With the help of a doctor, select the missing vitamins and take the course.

Make sure your diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits (in season). If desired, you can replace them with freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.
Introduce fermented milk products into the menu: yoghurts, sourdoughs, soft cheeses and cottage cheese. Don’t forget about natural butter (not spread) - it contains a lot of useful vitamins and microelements.
Provide your baby with adequate sleep.
Walk outdoors regularly.
Do simple exercises together, or play outdoor games.

An important nuance: the state of the immune system is influenced by the psycho-emotional state. Therefore, if you know how to boost the immunity of an 8-year-old child with the help of vitamins, nutrition and daily routine, at the same time try to protect him from stress, nervous shock, and scandals. Make sure that there is positivity in the baby’s life - this contributes to the production of the “happiness hormone” and has a positive effect on children’s immunity.

A child's immunity depends on what he eats

of great importance for the child’s immunity . The intestines contain a huge number of immunocompetent lymphoid cells that are constantly fighting for our health. The state of health directly depends on the condition of the intestines. A clogged intestine is an insurmountable barrier to the entry of nutrients into the body. For proper bowel function, try to ensure that your child consumes more water, dairy products and foods rich in fiber.

How to prepare your child's immunity for kindergarten

Those who are just planning to go to kindergarten should know the basic rules for strengthening children's immunity:

Regular ventilation of the children's room. This will help destroy some of the pathogenic bacteria and also enrich the air with oxygen.
Using humidifiers. This is especially true in the winter season when heating devices are on. The baby's nasal mucosa must remain moist in order to trap some of the viruses that enter the body.
Hardening. Its essence is to accustom the growing body to sudden changes in temperature. Then your child will not get sick, even if he overheats in kindergarten before going for a walk.
Compliance with the drinking regime. It's rare that a child will refuse sweet soda, but it is unlikely to benefit his immune system. Try to accustom your baby to vitamin drinks - rosehip decoction, kefir, homemade fruit juice.

If you want to get a full consultation on strengthening children's immunity, as well as determine its current level, we recommend scheduling a consultation with a Rixos PR pediatrician. We will tell you how you can make your baby healthier and prevent a number of diseases. And at the same time we invite you to relax with the whole family in a cozy corner of the Carpathian region!

Features of children's immunity at 2 years old

The immune system has a number of specific nuances at different stages of development. You need to understand these features in order to understand how to strengthen a child’s immunity, because 2 years is one of the most acute transition periods in a child’s life.

The key factor influencing the occurrence of this critical period of immunity formation is the increase in vitality and curiosity, which determine the active study of the world and contact with it. It is at this age that the child usually shows the first signs of various congenital pathologies and anomalies, as well as atopic dermatitis. This life period is also characterized by lymphocytosis (absolute and relative).

At two years of age, the child’s number of contacts with external factors increases, and there is an increased stabilization of the immune system’s reactions to a wide range of antigens, while the local immune system remains shaky and immature. That is why at this age there is still sensitivity to the effects of microbial infections and viruses.

This is a very important age for the body, since it is during this period that the first signs of autoimmune and immune complex diseases begin to appear. Children at this tender age are prone to recurrent diseases after successful treatment, while the main blow is directed by immune defense against microbial-inflammatory reactions of the respiratory system and ENT organs. According to the characteristics, this is the most “inappropriate” age for staying in crowded places, such as kindergartens.

One of the positive manifestations of this critical stage is the gradual weakening of various food allergic reactions.

What to do to keep your baby from getting sick?

How to strengthen a child’s immunity at 3 years old and what to do to prevent him from getting sick? The following recommendations will help:

ensure that the diet is balanced and varied (taking into account age);
avoid stressful situations (limit conflicts in the family, devote more time to the child, do not stimulate irritation and emotional instability);
monitor the cleanliness and temperature of the air in the premises (children react acutely to polluted air); we also do not allow the microclimate in the apartment to be too dry (over-dried air harms the nasopharyngeal mucosa and contributes to the loss of its protective functions);

Strengthening the immune system of a three-year-old child correctly: general recommendations

There is a list of general recommendations suitable for any child that will help strengthen the immune system and stabilize its functioning.

Walks in the open air. It is very useful for children to walk, run, communicate with peers, explore the world around them and come into contact with germs and bacteria (yes, this is what largely helps the body build a barrier). Spend at least two hours with your baby outside, the only exception being bad weather conditions.
Balanced diet. Of course, you shouldn’t fanatically calculate the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates; it’s just that nutrition at this age should fully correspond to the age-related needs of the baby.
Avoid overheating or hypothermia. Parents often wrap their children up before going outside, assuming that this will protect them from colds. In fact, the opposite is true: a wet and sweaty child becomes more susceptible to drafts and light winds. This does not mean that you need to completely undress the baby: he should be dressed so as not to sweat during active exercise.
Water procedures. Swimming in ponds and dousing with cool water will be beneficial for children. Of course, the child should not freeze (alternate warm and cool water) and should be completely healthy. You should be accustomed to lowering the water temperature gradually.

Vaccination for immunity

In order for a small child to get sick less, pediatricians recommend preventive vaccinations to strengthen the immune response. There is a standard vaccination schedule in accordance with WHO regulations, strict adherence to which helps prevent this or that infectious disease. It is recommended for a child to receive vaccinations from the first days of life.

Today, these medications have a combined chemical composition, that is, with one injection you can prevent the development of many dangerous diseases. The most popular medications in this area are Vaxigrip, Influvac, Fluarix. Subcutaneous administration of the vaccine is also carried out against influenza, but with the permission of the treating pediatrician: in this way, the small patient receives acquired immunity, which provides passive protection to the child’s body.