Ways to Make Sure Your Kid’s Immune System is Strong
Getting sick is never a fun experience, but it’s something that all kids will go through at some point. That being said, there are things you can do to help your child be as healthy as possible and reduce their chances of catching a cold or the flu. Here are ways to make sure your kid’s immune system is strong:
1. Breast Feed Your Kids
With strong body fighting diseases, your kids will become more resistant to bacteria and viruses. Breastfeeding is said to be the best way of providing antibodies such as IgA (immunoglobulin A) that are very important for the first few years of your infant’s life. It is also said that breastfed kids are less likely to get respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections than formula-fed children.
2. Avoid Sugar in Your Kids Diet
There is a lot of sugar in our daily food today that gives your kids diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. All these effects can be prevented by avoiding sugary snacks or drinks for your kids.
Some sugar that you need to avoid in your kid’s diet is the ones found in cereals, sodas, and other sweetened drinks. A good example of a healthy drink is plain water or vegetable juice diluted with lots of water.
3. Avoid processed food
The food kids eat today is mostly processed thus very possible that it contains preservatives that cause cancer. Try to avoid processed food in your kid’s diet and eat as much organic food as you can. Kids should only have what their body requires thus feeding them with healthy foods will keep their immune systems strong.
4. Milk consumption
It is imperative that you introduce as many kinds as possible of milk in the food your kid eats to have more options. Cow, goat, and sheep milk will keep their immune systems strong thus making them resistant to different diseases.
5. Vitamin D
Every kid should have his vitamin d intake. This is because the vitamin will strengthen the immune system of your kids thus making them less susceptible to colds, flu, and other infections. You can be sure that your kids are getting their daily intake of vitamin d by having them bathe in the sun for around 20 minutes every day or by taking vitamin supplements like Horlicks drinks. All you have to do is mix Horlicks to a glass of warm milk.
6. Sleep
You have probably heard your mother say ‘lie down and sleep’ when you were a kid, well, she was right. You should get enough sleep every day to keep your immune system strong and healthy too. Adults should have at least 8 hours of sleep per night; kids need 10-13 hours. The body gets the time it needs to rest and regenerate while sleeping.
7. Washing your hands
You may say ‘common sense’ but did you know that there are only 20% of parents who practice proper hand washing with their kids? Thus, keeping everyone in the family, healthy. Handwashing should start at a very young age thus teaching the child good hygiene.
8. Exercise
Exercise is good for kids as well as adults. Your kid’s immune system will gain strength if you make him or her active by playing different sports or exercising regularly. Kids are not limited to staying indoors thus they should be involved in all outdoor activities that keep them healthy and prevent infections.
The immune system is the first line of defense against infection and disease, so it’s important to keep your child healthy. Follow these steps to support your child’s immunity with right nutrition!
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