Six Ways to Boost Your Child's Immunity

Childhood is the right time to build a stronger immune system for a healthier and better life ahead. Here are some ways which you can follow to help your child build a stronger immune system.Our immune system comprises of cells, tissues and organs that function together to protect body from various infections and illnesses. It protects the body from disease causing bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is obvious that if this system becomes weak, we may get affected with diseases easily and our body’s resistance to illnesses may get reduced.The immune system of children is not as well developed as that of adults. Therefore, they are more susceptible to illnesses and infections. During childhood, the immune system undergoes the process of development and as such proper aid must be provided to boost it. Have a quick look at six ways to boost your child’s immunity. In this articleInclude Immunity Boosting Foods in Diet Encourage Fitness RegimenDo Not Miss VaccinationsTeach the Importance of Hygiene Inculcate Good Sleep Habits Build a Healthy Atmosphere at HomeWays to Boost Your Child’s Immune SystemHave a quick look at the six ways to boost your child’s immunity.1. Include Immunity Boosting Foods in DietImmunity boosting foods are vital for helping children develop a stronger immune system. You must include green leafy vegetables and fruits in your child’s diet. If your child does not like to eat green vegetables, you can sneak them into Parathas, Dals and curries etc.Having a glass of milk every day is also a must for growing children as it helps in building stronger bones and teeth. Other dairy products like cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese etc. also have many immune boosting properties. Include these products in your child’s diet by making different food stuffs like fruit yogurt, smoothies etc.Spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, black pepper, cinnamon etc, help to prevent many common illnesses like cough, cold and sore throat in children. Such spices also have many other immune boosting qualities. These spices can be easily included in the everyday food preparations for children. Apart from the above mentioned food items, foods like eggs, honey, ragi, amla, dry fruits and nuts are also a must to be included in the diet of children for helping them in building a stronger immune system. Parents should ensure that they provide a balanced diet to their children by including foods from all groups in their diet.2. Encourage Fitness RegimenSedentary lifestyle is one of the prime reasons for the development of health ailments in children at a younger age. Therefore, encouraging fitness regimen is very essential to help children develop a healthy and a fit body. Encourage them to take part in some outdoor sport or the other. Outdoor sports are also a form of exercise. Exercising helps to boost blood circulation, helps to get rid of excess fat, boosts the appetite and improves the concentration power of children. So, be a good role model and exercise daily with your child at least for 30 to 45 minutes. 3. Do Not Miss VaccinationsVaccinations are very important to keep dreadful illnesses at bay. Do not miss any vaccination and get your child vaccinated as per the schedule prescribed by your child’s paediatrician. If you have missed any vaccination, consult your paediatrician and get it done immediately.4. Teach the Importance of HygieneDisease causing germs are present everywhere. So, teaching children to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene can help to prevent these germs and other health ailments to a greater extent. Teach your children the importance of personal cleanliness. Some of the basic habits that every parent must inculcate in children to help them stay health are:Brushing twice a dayTaking bath every dayClipping finger nails every weakWearing clean clothesWashing hands before and after meals and after using washroomWashing hands after playing with a pet or touching something dirtyCovering the mouth while coughingWashing hands and feet after playing outdoorsKeeping the surroundings clean5. Inculcate Good Sleep HabitsGoing to bed early and waking-up early in morning is one of the best things that you can teach your child to maintain a healthy and a disciplined life. Make sure that your child goes to bed early at night. A good sleep is very important for children to develop a healthy body. While we are asleep our body is able to cope with the daily wear and tear and heal other damages caused to it. Adequate sleep is very important for children for improved brain function and good performance in academics.6. Build a Healthy Atmosphere at HomeStress and pressure can also affect the overall health and immune system of children. As such building a healthy atmosphere at home is crucial for their emotional well-being. Cheerful home environment can help children get rid of stress and pressure that they undergo in their day-to-day life.Yelling or screaming at children, hitting them, pressurizing them can spoil the atmosphere at home. So, parents must make sure that they raise their children with patience to maintain a cheerful and healthy atmosphere at home to take care of their emotional well-being.Most of the children are fussy eaters and follow unhealthy habits unknowingly. They also have to cope with lot of external factors like pollution etc. Therefore, it is a must to follow the above six ways to boost immunity of children and shower unconditional love on them to raise them in to physically and emotionally fit individuals.Why do some children fall ill frequently? What makes the immune system of children weak? How to boost the immunity of children? Discuss here.