A child’s immune system develops as it develops and ages. It is estimated that only a child around 12 years of age has a fully developed immune system. For this reason, in the first years of life it is not able to protect the child’s body as it should. We need to come to terms with this and support our child’s immune system as much as possible so that it can function to its full potential.
How does the immune system work?
Each of us is born with an immune system, a complex mechanism that constitutes the body’s first line of defense. It is especially important for children who need to develop and explore the world to their full potential. Unfortunately, on the day of birth, a baby’s immune system is still immature and weakened. A newborn’s body uses antibodies it received during fetal life and those it receives from mother’s milk. His own immune system is still developing and maturing.
We distinguish two types of immunity: innate, or non-specific, and acquired, or specific. Nonspecific immunity consists of all the body’s defense mechanisms that a child is born with, so it can be said that it is inherited. The mucous membranes, among others, are responsible for this, as they constitute a kind of protective barrier. In turn, specific immunity is formed over the years of a child’s life; the body must learn it.
How to strengthen your child’s immunity?
Before the immune system starts working properly, it needs help. There are a few basic rules that every parent of a toddler should follow, especially one who attends nursery or kindergarten. In educational institutions where there are many children, it is easier for our child’s well-being to deteriorate.
The way to strengthen your child’s immunity is to take care of their proper diet: it is important that they eat a varied and healthy diet. The immune system needs vitamins and minerals, but also energy, i.e. carbohydrates and protein. Breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life provides all these substances, and then the baby’s diet is slowly expanded to include other products such as fruit, vegetables, cereals, dairy products and meat.
The second principle of strengthening the body is rest. Lack of adequate sleep at night and naps during the day can significantly weaken a child’s immune system, which is why it is important to ensure that your child sleeps 11 to 14 hours a day, depending on their age.
Another important element of building immunity is physical activity and spending time outdoors. An oxygenated body functions better, and walks regardless of the weather, even in rain or snow (of course, if the child is dressed correctly), teach the body how to react to different temperatures.
It is impossible to talk about improving immunity without prevention, such as hygiene rules and vaccinations. From an early age, children should be taught the need to wash their hands and other rules (e.g. sneezing into their sleeve, not sharing a cup, etc.). An effective method of prevention is vaccination.
Ingredients supporting immunity As previously mentioned, an important element of supporting immunity is a properly balanced diet for our child. This diet should provide all the necessary nutrients that support the immune system in functioning properly. However, as is commonly known, children, especially those attending kindergarten, are often picky eaters, and therefore their diet may be poorer than it should be. For this reason, parents may implement additional supplementation of ingredients that support the immune system.
This can be especially helpful during the fall and winter months. The most important ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system include vitamins and minerals. Plant-based ingredients such as elderberry extract or raspberry or linden juice may also prove helpful. Garlic, ginger and honey are also valued for their immunity-supporting properties. We cannot also forget about vitamin C and D, and minerals such as zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA.
