6 more ways for Keeping Your Baby Healthy Through Cold and Flu Season, Part Two
Strengthening your Baby’s Immune System
August 16, 2022|inCommon Challenges
Strengthening your Baby’s Immune System
Dr. Linda, what can I do to strengthen my baby’s immune system and prevent illness?
Previously, we discussed a variety of ways to keep your baby healthy and lower their chances of getting colds. Read about it here
A strong immune system not only prevents colds but makes it easier for your baby to recover from a cold or sickness. As you learned in previous blog on this topic, good, healthy nutrition gives your baby a strong healthy body with a strong immune system
Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to strengthen your baby’s immune system
Vegetables and fruits are high in a large variety of immune strengthening and health enhancing substances:
Make sure your baby gets enough Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3 fatty acids) weekly.
So, what are EFAs and why are they important?
Essential Fatty Acids are fatty acids your baby’s body can’t make on its own so he has to get them through the diet. When your baby gets enough EFAs she will have a strong immune system.
If you are breastfeeding make sure you are getting enough EFAs so that your milk contains a good amount of them for your baby.
If your baby is eating a full diet one serving of low-mercury fatty fish like sardines, anchovies, mackerel or tuna two -three times a week will give your baby all the EFAs she needs to feel good and to stay healthy
What is Zinc?
Zinc is a trace metal which means your baby’s body only needs very small amounts of it.
Zinc is very important in the functioning of the immune system and in prevention of upper respiratory infections
If you are vegetarian, and your baby doesn’t eat meat, then you may be absorbing less Zinc than you need. The large amount of phytates in vegetables slows the absorption of Zinc. However, there is great news, You can increase the amount of Zinc you are both getting when you prepare legumes like chickpeas, grains and seeds in the following way: Soak beans, grains and seeds in water for a few hours and then sprout them before cooking them. Leavened breads (raised), not crackers, also have more available Zinc in them. There is no definite 100% reliable recommendation as to how much Zinc should be given to children and babies so it is better to give it to them through food.
Read more about Zinc in this fact sheet
Please DO NOT use Zinc nasally (in the nose), it can cause permanent loss of smell).
So many moms and dads forget that water is very important for health in general and for the optimal functioning of their babies’ immune systems
So, how much water does your baby or child need?
A general rule of thumb in children above 1-2 years of age is 30ml for every kilogram of body weight, of clean filtered water every day.
Many children worldwide do not get enough Vitamin D every day. This leads to a weakened immune system and a greater likelihood of getting colds If you are concerned that your baby or child may be low in Vitamin D, have your doctor check his Vitamin D level. In the meantime, add the following natural-Vitamin D food sources to your baby’s diet.
It is hard to get enough Vitamin D from the diet so, if your child’s level is low, consult your doctor about their recommendations for a good supplement as well as the proper dose for their weight and age.
For more ideas on keeping your baby healthy please read the third blog in this series
To your holistic health and happiness,
Dr. Linda
The information in this website is for educational and informational purposes only . It is not meant to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Read More
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Email drlinda@askdrlinda.com
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