Children’s immunity
The immune system of the human body develops over time. The more the body is exposed to germs, the more immune the immune system becomes. Therefore, the immunity of children may be relatively weaker because all that surrounds them is new to them. Children are infected with diseases. There is no magic cure that parents can avoid. But they can try to strengthen the immunity of their children in natural ways to become more resistant to diseases in the following ways:
How to Strengthen Child Immunity
Breastfeeding
During pregnancy, some antibodies pass from mother to child across the placenta, and remain part of the child’s immune system for several months after birth. According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the mother should breastfeed exclusively during the first six months of the child’s life. Breastfeeding, in addition to providing the child with all the nutrients needed, supports the infant’s immunity in a way that can not be provided to the infant. This can be done in several ways, including:
Milk is the milk that the child gets in the early days of breastfeeding and differs in the concentration of its components from the milk produced later. The most important importance of the child’s immunity is that it contains a high proportion of the normal immune bodies that are produced from the mother’s body called immunoglobulin A. These bodies form a protective layer of mucous membranes in the nose, throat and intestines, May be exposed to it.
The mother’s milk continues to supply the baby with immunoglobulin, but less than in the breast milk. The mother’s milk also transmits the antibodies produced by the mother’s body when exposed to various viruses and bacteria, giving him the ability to resist these bacteria in the environment.
Studies show that infants who receive normal milk are less likely to be infected with stomach infections, allergies, respiratory diseases, meningitis and ear infections. The results of a study at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences show that the mortality rate in children aged 28 to A year was lower in children who received breastfeeding, and the longer the breastfeeding period, the more positive the results.
Commitment to vaccines
Adherence to the schedule of vaccinations for children may protect against 14 serious and infectious diseases such as measles and whooping cough, which may pose a risk to the health of the child, and long-term problems, some of which may lead to death. When the child’s body is exposed to these diseases, the antibodies are made to fight against these diseases.
Proper nutrition
Providing children with balanced food and healthy food provides their bodies with vitamins and minerals that enhance their immune system, as well as antioxidants that protect immune cells from oxidative damage that may harm their work. It is important to note that the most common and common cause of global immunodeficiency is malnutrition; the lack – even if minor – of one of the following nutrients may adversely affect the functioning of the human immune system and its resistance to disease:
- Iron.
- Zinc.
- Selenium.
- Folic acid.
- Copper.
- Vitamin A.
- vitamin C.
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B6.
- Vitamin B12.
It is possible to follow the following tips to achieve balanced nutrition, and get the nutrients needed by the immune system to work perfectly:
- Provide children with a balanced and diverse diet, emphasizing the importance of vegetables and fruits, whole grains and sources of low fat proteins.
- Feeding children Zinc-rich foods that support the immune system, such as red meat, liver, and some legumes such as beans, lentils, and peas.
- Milk is one of the foods that help the immune system because it contains beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that help the immune system. One study found that the chances of colds, sore throat, and ear infections for children who drank milk were 19% lower.
- Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids that reduce eczema in children and the resulting infections in response to the immune system and may play a role in improving the performance of immune system B cells in disease resistance. These fatty acids are found in some fish species, nuts , And in leafy green vegetables, as may be found in some foods supported.
- Get good amounts of fruits and vegetables, especially those that have enhanced immune system properties such as strawberries, citrus, carrots, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and sweet green peppers.
- Garlic is a useful food for immunity, as it contains compounds that have the ability to fight and expel germs and intestinal parasites. It is worth mentioning that hypernutrition and excessive weight also negatively affect the immunity of the body ..
enough sleep
The lack of adequate hours of sleep affects the functioning of the immune system and reduces the number of white blood cells. It is therefore important to regulate the child’s time so that he can get enough sleep during the night. The National Sleep Foundation advises the following number of hours according to age:
- Newborns 0-3 months: 14-17 hours a day, and not less than 11 hours a day.
- Infants 4-11 months: It is recommended 12-15 hours a day, and not less than 10 hours a day.
- Children 1-2 years: It is recommended 11-14 hours a day, and not less than 9 hours a day.
- Children 3-5 years: 10-13 hours a day, and not less than 8 hours a day is recommended.
- Children 6-13 years: 9-11 hours a day, and not less than 7 hours a day.
Sports and movement
There is no direct relationship between sport and the immune system, but sports improve blood circulation and improve heart and lung health, which benefits and strengthens the immune system. It is therefore advisable to encourage children to play and move, to participate in school sports and others.
Maintain cleanliness
Teaching children to maintain their personal hygiene helps protect them from catching infections and diseases.
- Confirm the importance of washing children to their hands after using the bathroom, playing outside, and before eating.
- Teach children to cover the mouth when coughing and sneezing, and stay away from people with contagious disease.
- Do not share personal objects such as a toothbrush for your child.
Nutritional supplements
Some may resort to providing the child with supplements to increase immunity, but it is not advisable to give the child vitamins and minerals necessary for the health of his immune system in the form of dietary supplements, better to get them from food, and resort to the doctor in special cases to describe the supplements only.
Do not overuse antibiotics
The use of antibiotics does not directly affect the child’s immunity, but repeated and excessive use of antibiotics leads to the emergence of strains of drug-resistant bacteria.