No child is birthed with an efficient immune system against all types of diseases. It is agreed that some children’s immune systems are stronger than others but none is fully fortified against all kinds of diseases. For your child to have strong natural defenses, the parents have roles to play. The immunity of children grows slowly as they fight off a series of germs, viruses, and other harmful organisms that they come in contact with. There are some healthy habits that can serve as immune boosters for your kids and we will look at some of them.
Breastfeeding
Breast milk is considered nutritional for a child but what most mothers do not know is that it is a great immune booster for your growing baby. The cells, hormones, and antibodies in the mum’s breast milk strengthen the child’s immune system. The mother’s more mature immune system makes antibodies to the germs she has been exposed to all her life, and these antibodies pass through the milk when she is breastfeeding. This is able to protect the baby against allergies, sickness, and obesity. It also protects against diseases like diabetes, cancer, and infections like ear infections.
Studies have also suggested that breastfeeding enhances your baby’s brainpower and helps protect them against insulin-dependent diabetes. Colostrum, which is the thin, yellow milk that flows during the first few days after giving birth, is richer in disease-fighting antibodies according to research.
Exercise with them
Studies have shown that exercise increases the number of natural killer cells in the human body. Children are no exception to this benefit if they exercise their bodies regularly. Moderate intensity exercises have some beneficial effects on children’s immune systems against diseases. You can do these exercises with your kids so that it can be more fun. Examples of activities you can all engage in are skiing, hiking, cycling, or tennis. You can get a mini dirt bike for your child who wants to start having a riding experience. This bike is not only strong and beautiful but it can also be used by different age groups. The height is adjustable. A lack of exercise in children can result in some health problems and obesity.
Encourage them to drink more water
Staying hydrated may not necessarily protect you from germs and viruses but it is important for your overall health. When a child doesn’t have enough water in his or her body system, it could cause headaches and hinder their physical performance, digestion processes, as well as heart and kidney functions. These anomalies can cause susceptibility to some illnesses. So, encourage your children to drink water regularly. If they are not complying, change your tactics so they can stay hydrated. You can buy fanciful water bottles for them and always keep them filled with clean water. They will love to drink from the water bottles because of their beautiful colors. This way, you would have achieved your aim of keeping them hydrated and boosting their bodies’ natural defenses.
Improve their sleeping time
Studies have shown that when children do not sleep enough, it could make them more susceptible to illness by reducing natural killer cells which are immune-system weapons that attack microbes and cancer cells. Kids need at least 10 to 14 hours of sleep time every day. If they don’t like taking naps during the day, ensure that they sleep early at night. The long hours of sleep will help them sleep deeper which is necessary for the proper growth and functioning of the brain apart from boosting their bodies’ natural defenses.
Keep up with their immunization schedule
It is sad to know that so many parents do not take the immunization schedules suggested by their children’s pediatricians seriously. This is usually for flimsy excuses of being busy with things that could have taken a pause without causing any future problems. When you postpone your child’s immunization dates, you are weakening their immune systems and you may not be able to right the present wrong in the future. There is a reason why some of these immunization shots are given some days after childbirth. They are to help the child develop a strong immune system as they grow. Immunization starts from infancy and continues to adulthood to prevent measles, chickenpox, mumps, rotavirus, and other infections. Also, get the flu shot for your child every year as it helps those with asthma and other chronic health conditions.
Final word
One of the best gifts you can give to your children is ensuring that they are healthy. Getting your child to drink water regularly, sleep enough, and indulge in other activities that could be beneficial to their health could be difficult at times. However, you need to be resilient in helping them keep their immune systems stronger day by day. There are some activities they will enjoy though, like the exercises. You can use that opportunity to get them to drink lots of water for those kids that don’t like taking enough water for sufficient hydration. When your children are always healthy, it would bring joy to you all the time as parents.
