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How can you help protect your child during cold and flu season?
Your first (and possibly second or third) cold with your baby can be full of wheezing and coughing. As soon as one infection goes away, another starts – especially if they are in daycare or have older siblings who are bringing germs to school.
As difficult as it is, picking up minor illnesses is essential for your child’s immune system to develop, and any pediatrician will tell you that it’s not unusual for children to get 6 to 8 illnesses a year. The good news is that with every cold, their immune system gets stronger and learns to fight off the inevitable winter bugs.
However, this does not mean that you cannot help your child’s safety. Here are some simple things you can do to strengthen it.
Breastfeed if you can
If you are able to breastfeed your baby, even for a few months or in combination with formula, you can help protect your baby’s immune system. Breast milk contains natural antibodies, which you can pass on to your baby. The first milk you produce, colostrum, contains many antibodies.
But of course, breastfeeding is difficult for many mothers, so if you find that it is not possible for you, don’t worry. There are many other things you can do to help your baby develop immunity – and newborns will have immunity from pregnancy for the first few weeks.
Serve a rainbow of fruits and vegetables
Once your baby is solid, get her to eat fruits and vegetables of all colors of the rainbow – everything from broccoli to oranges. That way, they will receive a variety of vitamins and other nutrients that will help their immune system naturally.
In particular, foods rich in vitamin C (such as guava, kiwi and sweet potato) help fight the flu.
Encourage exercise
Even if your baby is not walking, you can encourage them to move even when they are a few months old.
Pregnancy helps them to strengthen their muscles and start rolling and then crawling. And when they crawl and then walk, they will get some exercise as they explore the world.
Try and be active when you can, so you can pick up good habits that will set them up for the future – yoga classes for moms and kids are a great place to start.
Be careful when washing your hands
Make washing your hands part of your routine every time you come in from outside and before eating. This will help eliminate germs and prevent unwanted diseases. Although infections can strengthen the immune system, it is best to avoid them if you can.
If anyone in your home is sick, it’s a good idea to wipe down touch points like doorknobs and light switches, and wash toothbrushes and toys. This should mean that the germs don’t circulate and pass it back to you or your baby.
Focus on sleep
Newborn babies sleep about 16-20 hours a day, gradually decreasing to about 12-13 hours by the time they are 12 months old. Sleep is important for growth and development, as well as helping to protect the immune system. Just as adults catch colds when we are tired and exhausted, so do babies.
If you are having trouble sleeping, consider talking to a sleep consultant or other parents to see what you can do to improve it.
Choose European organic formula
Just as adults can strengthen their immune system by eating healthy foods, you can help your child by giving them European organic formula not the store-bought kind.
European organic is produced to the strictest regulations in the world, and is free of herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and unnecessary additives. This means less inflammation, better health and stronger immune system.