Many parents think that runny noses, constant colds and stomach bugs are just part of growing up, but they don’t have to be. While you can’t shield your little ones from every bug around, the best way to fight many of them off is by implementing healthy habits.
Make great diet a habit
A diet high in additives, preservatives and sugar can affect a child’s digestion and increase inflammation, making it more difficult to fight viruses or bacteria. But it doesn’t mean parents have to be obsessive about feeding their child superfood. “Just have a good, balanced diet for our child,” says paeditrician Ng Yi-Ki at a recent parenting event in KL.
Serve more fresh veggies, fruits and other immunity-boosting food. WebMD recommends one serving of fruits and veggies a day for toddlers aged 12 – 24 months, while toddlers aged 24 – 36 months should be getting one and a half cups of fruits and veggies.
Healthy eating habits start at home and children learn from example so think twice before you tuck into fast food.
Boost the snooze
“Getting enough sleep is vital to a child’s growth and development,” says baby sleep expert Sarah Ong on her blog. Sleep deprivation can lower the immune system, making children more susceptible to being affected by germs and bacteria. How much sleep do kids need? Babycenter recommends up to 14 hours a day for babies and about 12 to 13 hours for toddlers. If your child can’t or won’t take naps during the day, try to put her to bed earlier.
Help calm their stress and anxiety
Children’s bodies have the same response to stress that adults’ do so when hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline rises, their immune system’ response is lowered.
While it’s important for children to have time for creative play, they also need lots of down time. Busy bodies need to take a break every now and then for their immune systems to thrive.
Get moving
“Exercise both increases the white blood cells’ ability to fight off infection and increases the number of natural killer cells,” according American pediatrician and author Dr. Sears.
To get your children into a lifelong fitness habit, be a good role model. Exercise with them rather than just urge them to go outside and play.
Lessen exposure to germs
Fighting germs doesn’t technically boost immunity, but it’s a great way to reduce stress on your child’s immune system. Make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap often, particularly before and after each meal and after playing outside, handling pets, blowing their nose, using the bathroom, and arriving home from day care or preschool. When you’re out and about, disposable wipes are great for quick cleanups.
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Image Credit: iStockphoto.
