10 Ways to Keep Your Baby's Immune System Strong
It’s important to keep your baby’s immune system strong and healthy. The first year of life is an exciting time of rapid development and change, but it can also be a time of increased vulnerability to sickness and illness. These ten ways to keep your baby’s immune system strong can help ensure that your baby gets the protection he or she needs from germs and viruses, so you can focus on everything else that comes with being a new parent!
1) Feed Them Well
Some people are under a misconception that breast milk and formula are better than bottle-feeding, but a baby’s immune system is much stronger when fed solid foods. Breast milk is full of antibodies for fighting illness, but it doesn’t protect against some of baby’s greatest dangers: pollution and bacteria from other children. Always make sure your baby has plenty of clean water available, because that will strengthen their immune system more than anything else you do. The most important thing for healthy children is to keep them well hydrated. You should also look into getting an air purifier in your home if you haven’t already, since as previously mentioned, air pollution can be one of a child’s biggest risks of exposure to disease. There are many models out there these days; just make sure it gets good reviews before purchasing. The same goes for laundry detergent—check its ingredient list carefully if you want something without harmful chemicals (and always avoid artificial colors and fragrances). If possible, consider switching detergents completely with something like Seventh Generation or Purex Natural Elements—your baby deserves only natural ingredients!
2) Use Essential Oils
Essential oils offer a myriad of benefits for children. Their immune systems are weak and they have little defense against infection, so essential oils can be very effective at bolstering their immune system, providing them with much-needed protection against bacteria and viruses. Lavender is a classic essential oil that can help calm children who suffer from insomnia or anxiety or who have a tendency to overreact under pressure. Essential oils don't cure illness, but they can help prevent it by keeping your child healthy, happy and strong. To find out more about how you can use essential oils for health, visit Pure Health Products today.
3) Get Kids Outside
Childhood obesity is an ongoing epidemic that has many causes, but one contributing factor is a lack of exercise. Children can't exercise if they're cooped up inside playing video games or watching TV—and they especially can't exercise if they're stuck in a car, on a bus, or sitting at a desk all day. It's critical that children spend some time outdoors every day where they can run around and expend energy. Not only will getting kids outside be better for their long-term health and immune system—it'll also give them something else: an appreciation for nature. Kids need to experience green spaces and parks so that they don't take them for granted as adults and treat them as disposable luxuries instead of public resources worth preserving. Think about your own experiences growing up. How much time did you spend outside? How often do you go out now?
Among infants in developed countries, researchers have found that increasing levels of neighborhood greenness are associated with decreases in respiratory symptoms, colds, bronchitis and ear infections. The benefit increases with age through childhood into adolescence — demonstrating again how early intervention can have lifelong effects.
4) Soothe Tummy Troubles Naturally
Babies get tummy aches from time to time, but these little pains can really disrupt a restful night’s sleep for you and your tot. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to help soothe those tummy troubles without resorting to over-the-counter or prescription medications. Here are 10 tips for making your baby’s belly feel better—without resorting to medication . (This post was sponsored by Milk-Snob .)
The average human body contains 5 liters of blood, which makes sense if you remember that it has to deliver nutrients and oxygen to 100 trillion cells in addition to removing waste products and carbon dioxide. The cardiovascular system is also integral in maintaining homeostasis (or balance) throughout all of your body's systems. Learn more about blood: How Much Blood Does The Human Body Hold? . A few things happen when a person gets dehydrated that make it dangerous at any age: Slight dehydration results in an increase in blood pressure; thus putting extra strain on blood vessels as well as vital organs such as kidneys and heart.
5) Try Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are a great way to bring herbs into your daily routine in a tasty, convenient way. Instead of packing on pounds from sugary fruit-flavored drinks (which may or may not be good for your health), grab an herbal tea that’s free of artificial ingredients and additives. By adding herbs like ginger, lemon balm, mint, and rooibos to your drink you can keep your immune system strong and natural. Even better? These teas taste great! Try these 10 fresh ideas below.
The Top Ten Reasons Why I Love My Vitamix: In my opinion, there is no other kitchen appliance out there quite as versatile as a Vitamix. It does just about everything – even making ice cream without needing any additional equipment! What’s more, it helps me to make healthy meals quickly with easy cleanup at all times. Here are ten reasons why I love my Vitamix! With delicious recipes included too!
6) Talk About Emotions
Much of what we know about our kids’ emotional health comes from their behavior, and one behavior that can be a red flag is trouble sleeping. Does your child have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? If so, they may not feel as though they have control over their life. Teaching them skills to help them handle sleep better—such as distraction techniques—will encourage confidence and therefore emotional health. However, keep in mind that there are also serious causes for difficulty sleeping. Kids with sensory disorders may need things like weighted blankets and support belts to promote good sleep. See a doctor if you suspect something more serious is at play.
7) Play Music and Read Books Together
Research shows that children who are read to before they’re three years old tend to get higher scores on reading and literacy tests in elementary school. Singing, dancing, playing instruments and other creative forms of self-expression also build a child’s cognitive skills. Furthermore, exposing kids (from a young age) to different kinds of music can help develop their appreciation for music later in life. Getting into an exercise routine is another great way to keep your baby healthy—because it will give you both more energy, which allows you to spend more time together. If your kid seems out of shape, take him or her for a walk! You'll be setting them up with good habits from childhood. And with so many babies spending time in front of screens these days, remember that nothing beats playtime outside . Consider planting trees or helping them create artwork using natural materials. Finally, as soon as possible, begin teaching children about food: where it comes from and how we use it every day. This may mean visiting farms or grocery stores at least once a week so kids understand where our food comes from; if not possible, talk about produce during trips to farmer's markets or grocery stores you shop at regularly.
8) Sing Songs Together
It’s no secret that singing together is a great way for parents and children to bond. Singing can help your baby feel secure, which can aid her in developing emotional stability and self-soothing skills. Plus, as she grows, it’ll help her learn how language works and how sound and rhythm fit together. In other words: It’s another form of learning and stimulation for your little one. If you’re feeling nervous about singing in front of your child (or anyone else, for that matter), don't be! Just follow a song you already know well or try any number of kid-friendly YouTube videos with lyrics; they're more important than quality of voice when it comes to developing language skills. Bonus points if your baby has siblings to join in—just make sure there are lots of kisses afterward.
Although many people think they shouldn’t introduce their pets to babies because toddlers are hard on animals, hard play with an older child can actually promote better behavior later on by teaching pets what constitutes appropriate contact with small children and helping them accept new members into their family unit. Regardless of age, supervision is key when introducing pets to infants. Always have an adult present whenever a pet interacts directly with a young child, especially if there are dogs involved; younger kids may unintentionally provoke territorial responses from pups who aren't familiar enough yet with humans or small children.
9) Get Rid of Microbes Naturally
Bacteria and germs are everywhere—they’re found in hospitals, schools, offices and shopping centers. Unfortunately, these microorganisms can also be found on our children, often without us even realizing it. Our kids tend to spend more time with other people and are more prone to contact new germs than we are—which makes them especially vulnerable. To ensure your baby has a strong immune system that can fend off microbes naturally and safely, here are 3 tips you can follow:
Focus on prevention
Germs don’t just infect babies; they affect everyone! By focusing on preventing infection through healthy lifestyle choices (like avoiding tobacco smoke), you’ll help strengthen your child’s immune system and keep him or her from becoming sick.
2) Supplement vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for healthy bones. It also helps support skin and muscle function, cellular health, proper growth and development during pregnancy as well as fetal brain development. Although getting enough vitamin D can be hard during winter months when there isn't much sun exposure, it is possible with supplementation during all seasons of the year. Children under age 1 who aren't breastfed should receive 400 IU per day and those ages one to 18 years should take 600 IU daily.
Cook with spices
Spices aren’t just used for flavoring foods—some actually have beneficial antibacterial properties. For example, studies have shown that curcuminoids in turmeric extract inhibit H. pylori stomach bacteria, which causes ulcers; thus increasing levels of curcumin could potentially help prevent ulcers from developing into H.
10) Give Them a Hug Every Day
Babies' immune systems are still developing, so getting sick is normal. However, when your baby does get sick, make sure you give them a good dose of love. A study from UCLA found that babies who were massaged three times a week for 30 minutes for four months had stronger immune systems as well as higher levels of oxytocin (the love hormone). Oxytocin not only boosts feelings of closeness between parent and child but also has a role in regulating blood pressure and calming nerves. So baby, it's not just about giving kisses and receiving cuddles; it's about being happy and healthy.