Зміст
We support the child’s immunity from the first days of life. How often a child skips kindergarten or school at an older age may depend on our day-to-day choices.
Immunity from the first days of life
We can take care of the baby’s immunity during pregnancy. It is worth eating right and providing the right dose of exercise, while avoiding stress and overwork. Vaginal childbirth is best for the baby – Research from the University of Copenhagen, published in the Journal of Immunology, shows that naturally born babies have richer intestinal flora than babies born by cesarean section
Another aspect that maintains a child’s immunity in the first days of life is breastfeeding. It is especially important to give the baby colostrum, that is, the first dose of milk, which because of its extremely rich composition is called a natural vaccine. Also, important is skin-to-skin contact, that is, direct contact between the newborn’s body and the parent’s body. One of the many positive aspects of this method of caring for a baby is the exchange of bacterial flora, which affects the formation of immunity in a newborn. We will not raise a child in sterile conditions – it is through contact with various external factors that the body learns to fight them.
Immunity in children: Healthy diet
A proper diet supports the development of the immune system, which is why it is very important what we give to the child on the plate. It is better to avoid heavily processed foods, sweets, fried foods, and excess meat, especially red meat. The children’s diet should be rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, especially those that contain iron and vitamins A, C and D.
Unsaturated fatty acids, which are found in seeds, nuts, unrefined oil and fish, are also important for the formation of immunity. It is also worth enriching the child’s diet with natural probiotics, that is, products that restore the balance of the bacterial flora in the intestines. We find them in silage, kefir, natural yogurt and buttermilk. In turn, prebiotics are a breeding ground for the development of these “good” bacteria responsible for immunity.
You can also purchase immune-boosting dietary supplements that contain natural herbal ingredients. These preparations include Pelavo, a product that combines natural herbal ingredients with modern methods of extracting their active ingredients. It contains African geranium root extract, which supports respiratory health, and vitamin C, which supports the baby’s immune system.
Immunity in children: Body hardening
You can temper a child at the very beginning of life. An important element of immunity support is daily walks even in subzero temperatures, as well as sleeping in nature – it is enough to choose the child’s clothes for the weather outside. However, we should not leave the house when air pollution is high – according to researchers from the University of Leicester; toxic substances in the air weaken our immune systems.
We can also temper the child while bathing. The water temperature should be close to body temperature. On warm days, you can finish bathing with a summer shower and then rub your baby’s body with a towel. Repeating this activity every day should have a positive effect on the child’s immunity. On the other hand, during summer vacation, it is worth going to the sea and letting your child play in the cold water.
It should also be remembered that overheating of the body negatively affects immunity, and also cools, so let’s take care of the thermal comfort of the child, but do not overdo it with the amount of clothing. In an organism focused on thermoregulation (heating or cooling), the body’s defenses are weakened.
Immunity in children: Leisure
Extra pounds can harm our body, as well as affect immunity, so it is worth giving your child an appropriate daily dose of exercise. Most babies have a natural need for physical activity, and we can “discharge” their energy by walking together, walking in the playground or signing up for sports.
After an active day, we need to ensure healthy sleep for the child. Preschool children can still take a nap during the day; it is worth keeping this habit as long as possible, because a tired body is more prone to problems. Remember that a constantly evolving body takes longer to recover than an adult. To provide your child with adequate conditions for quality sleep, let us ventilate the apartment before bed.
We will do this even in winter – the cool air makes it easier to fall asleep.
