How do I strengthen my child’s immunity?
How do I strengthen my child’s immunity?
Contents
2 How to strengthen the child’s immunity
2.1 Breastfeeding
2.2 Adherence to vaccines
2.3 Proper nutrition
2.4 Adequate sleep
2.5 Sports and movement
2.6 Maintain cleanliness
2.7 Nutritional supplements
2.8 Do not overdo it with antibiotics
3 References
Children’s immunity
The human body’s immunity develops over time, The more the body is exposed to germs, the more developed its immune system,
Therefore, the immunity of children may be relatively weakened;
Because everything that surrounds them is new to them,
Infecting children with diseases is inevitable,
and there is no magic cure that enables parents to avoid their children’s illness.
However, they can try to naturally strengthen their children’s immunity to
become more resilient to diseases in the following ways:
1- Breastfeeding
During pregnancy, some antibodies pass from the mother to the child
through the placenta, and remain as part of the baby’s immune
system for several months after birth.
According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
the mother should breastfeed her child during the first six months of the child’s life.
This is because breastfeeding supports the child’s immunity in a way
that artificial breastfeeding cannot provide him with
In addition to providing the child with all the nutrients he needs.
This happens in several ways, including:
Colostrum Milk:
It is the milk that the child gets in the first days of breastfeeding.
It differs in the concentration of its components from the milk that is produced later.
It is extremely important for the child’s immunity because
it contains a high percentage of natural immune bodies that
are secreted from the mother’s body and are called “immune globulin A”,
These bodies form a protective layer for the mucous membranes in the nose and throat,
In addition to the intestine, it helps protect it from germs that may be exposed to it.
Breast milk continues to provide the baby with immune globulin,
but in a smaller proportion than colostrum milk.
Mother’s milk also transfers the antibodies that the mother’s body
produces when it is exposed to various viruses and bacteria to the child.
Thus, it gives him the ability to resist these germs in the surrounding environment.
Studies have shown that infants who get breast milk are less likely to have the following diseases:
- Stomach viruses
- Sensitivity
- respiratory system diseases
- Meningitis
- Ear infections
The results of a study conducted at the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences showed that the death rate in children from
28 days to one year was lower among children who received breastfeeding.
The greater the duration of breastfeeding, the more positive the results.
2- Commitment to vaccinations
Adherence to the schedule of vaccinations for children may prevent
infection with nearly fourteen dangerous and infectious diseases; Like:
- Measles
- Whooping cough
- poliomyelitis
- Hepatitis A, B, etc. …
Injury to which may pose a risk to the child’s health,
And long-term problems, some of which may lead to death.
And when the child’s body is exposed to the vaccine for these diseases,
it makes the necessary antibodies to fight these diseases,
Thus, vaccines provide future protection for the child in case the child is exposed to one of these diseases.
3- Proper nutrition
Providing children with healthy and balanced food and food supplies
their bodies with vitamins and minerals that enhance the functioning of their immune system better,
In addition to obtaining antioxidants that protect immune cells
from oxidative damage that may harm their work.
It is worth noting that the most important and common cause o
f immunodeficiency in the world is malnutrition.
As the deficiency – even if it is slight – in one of the following nutrients
may adversely affect the functioning of the human immune system and its resistance to diseases:
- Iron.
- Zinc.
- Selenium.
- Folic acid.
- Copper.
- Vitamin A.
- vitamin C.
- Vitamin E.
- Vitamin B6.
- Vitamin B12.
It is possible to follow the following tips to achieve a healthy, balanced diet,
And get the nutrients that the immune system needs to function fully:
First: Providing children with a varied and balanced diet,
Emphasizing the importance of vegetables and fruits,
And whole grains, and low-fat sources of protein.
Second: Feeding children foods rich in zinc that supports the immune system, such as:
- Red meat
- Liver
- Some types of legumes are beans, lentils, and peas.
Third: yogurt
Foods that help the immune system; Because it contains beneficial bacteria (probiotics)
That helps the immune system function,
One study found that the chances of getting colds, sore throats, and ear
infections for children who drank yogurt were 19% lower.
Fourth: Introducing foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids
That relieves eczema in children,
And inflammation resulting from the immune system’s response to diseases,
It may also show a role in improving the performance of B immune system cells in resisting disease.
These fatty acids are found in some types of fish, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.
It may also be found in some fortified foods.
Fifth: Get good amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Especially those that have immune system-boosting properties such as:
- the strawberry
- citrus fruits
- carrots
- Green leafy vegetables
- Broccoli
- Sweet green pepper.
Sixth: garlic
Garlic is considered an immune food.
Where it contains compounds that have the ability to fight and
expel intestinal germs and parasites.
It is worth noting that overnutrition and excess weight also negatively affect the body’s immunity.
4- enough sleep
The child’s failure to get a sufficient number of hours of sleep affects
the functioning of his immune system,
And his white blood cell count decreases,
Therefore, it is important to organize the child’s time to ensure that he
gets enough hours of sleep during the night.
Where the number of hours a child needs according to age is estimated by the following numbers:
Newborns 0-3 months:
The recommended 14-17 hours a day, and a minimum of 11 hours a day.
Infants 4-11 months:
The recommended 12-15 hours a day, and a minimum of 10 hours a day.
Children 1-2 years old:
Recommended 11-14 hours a day, and a minimum of 9 hours a day.
Children 3-5 years old:
The recommended 10-13 hours a day, and a minimum of 8 hours a day.
Children 6-13 years old:
The recommended 9-11 hours a day, and a minimum of 7 hours a day.
5- Sports and movement
There is no direct relationship between exercise and the immune system.
However, exercise improves blood circulation, improves heart and lung health,
Which benefits the immune system and strengthens it.
Therefore, it is recommended to encourage children to play and move, and to participate in school and other sports.
6- Personal cleanliness
Teaching children to maintain their personal hygiene helps protect them
from catching infections and diseases, and the following is recommended:
- Emphasize the importance of children washing their hands after using the bathroom, playing outside, and before eating.
- Teaching children to cover the mouth when coughing and sneezing, and to keep a sufficient distance from people who have an infectious disease.
- Not to share personal items such as a child’s toothbrush.
7- Nutritional supplements
Some people may provide the child with nutritional supplements to increase his immunity,
However, it is not recommended to give the child the necessary
vitamins and minerals for the health of his immune system in the form of nutritional supplements,
It is better to obtain it from food, and in special cases a doctor is
resorted to prescribing only nutritional supplements.
8- Do not overdo it with antibiotics
The use of antibiotics does not directly affect the child’s immunity.
However, the frequent and excessive use of antibiotics leads to
the emergence of strains of bacteria that are resistant to the drugs.
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics,
images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor
or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may
have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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