How to boost your baby’s immune system

A baby’s immune system is immature until at least three months of age, and with every infection (viral or bacterial)that they pick up in their lives as well as immunisations received, , they develop antibodies.

That is why there is the old saying “we have to get sick in order to stay well”.

Immunisation is the best form of building up immunity to vaccine preventable diseases such as seasonal influenza viruses, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough(pertussis), pneumococcus, haemophillus influenza type b, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningococcus, chicken pox(varicella), measles, mumps, rubella, yellow fever, typhoid and cholera.

Immunisation also strengthens the immune system and there is no truth in the myth that a baby’s immune system can’t handle vaccinations. If your child is suffering from any disease that weakens the immune system, do check with your health care provider before immunising.

Here are a few ways to boost your baby’s immune system…

Breastfeed

The best way to strengthen your baby’s immune system is to breastfeed from birth and to continue giving breast milk (with age appropriate complementary food) up until the age of two years.

Ensure a balanced diet

Ensure that your child eats a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, protein (such as dairy, poultry, fish, meat, beans, legumes, nuts, eggs).

Give a multivitamin

If your child is a fussy eater give a daily balanced multivitamin supplement or nutritional milk that contains sufficient micronutrients and minerals. Ask your health care provider to recommend a suitable supplement.

Wash your hands

Hand washing will prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria, so do practice it regularly, especially if you have a viral infection.

Use probiotics

Probiotics have been shown to increase immunity and to prevent allergies. Speak to your pharmacist to help you choose the correct one.

Fresh air

Ensure plenty of fresh air in the house and keep windows open during the day.

Clean your baby’s nose

If your child is prone to a stuffy nose, keep the nasal passages moist with an age appropriate saline nasal spray (ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend one.)

Nasal moisture helps the cillia in the nose (the small filaments) to do their job correctly to filter out infections and allergens such as dust and pollen. Humidifiers are also very useful in the drier climates – but do ensure that they get properly washed at least once a week as viruses and bacteria can grow in the warm water.

Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and open fireplaces.

Avoid the use of cloth hankies – rather use tissues and throw away immediately after use and wash your hands.

Stay out of the cold

Try to be indoors before it gets too cold in the evening. The sudden change of temperature in the airways can irritate croup or chesty colds.

If you or your baby does get sick, give his or her little body plenty of time to rest and recover – lots of sleep and fluids (and yes, there is merit in good old chicken soup!).

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Ann Richardson

Qualified nurse and midwife Ann Richardson, co-author of Baby Sense, Sleep Sense and author of Toddler Sense, all bestsellers, has worked in the midwifery and paediatric fields for over 30 years. Ann has been in private practice for the past 22 years, and introduced the first private well-baby clinics, now a well-known phenomenon at Doctors’ rooms and pharmacies across the country.Passionate about her work and dedicated to ensuring that parents have the necessary knowledge to enjoy and rejoice in their children, she regularly lectures to both professionals and parents on various baby and childcare issues, in particular the effects of the sensory system on infant behaviour, and the management of sleeping disorders. Her specialisation is the treatment of “difficult babies and toddlers”, in particular those with feeding and sleeping disorders.She is a regular contributor to childcare publications, TV and radio. Ann is married with two daughters, and lives and practices in Johannesburg.

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