Few things can test a parent like having children who are seemingly always getting sick. It's challenging not only in terms of nursing them to health, but emotionally as well. No one wants to see loved ones suffer, especially children. Whether your children suffer from frequent sickness or you simply want to bolster their defenses in time for the next cold season, there are ways to build a child's immune system.
Step 1
Teach healthy lifestyle habits. According to "The Truth About Your Immune System," a report by Harvard Health Publications, this is the most effective way of maintaining a strong immune system. The fewer poor habits your child has, the stronger his body will hold up against sickness. For instance, stress the importance of eating healthy and exercising. Make sure he gets a healthy amount of sleep and fill his diet with fruits, whole grains and veggies, while cutting down on fattening fare, such as fast food.
Step 2
Give them probiotics. Bacteria that helps in the digestive process can be found in countless over-the-counter vitamins and food products for children, such as select yogurt and cereals. Do so in moderation, though. According to the Harvard report, although research has shown some links between such bacteria and increased immune function, no irrefutable evidence has been formed.
Step 3
Feed them almonds. According to a 2010 study by the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, U.K., almonds act as antiviral agents. Almonds also contain the mineral zinc, which aids immune function. In addition to boosting the immune system, the fatty acids in almonds lessen respiratory tract inflammation, a common symptom of sick children.
Step 4
Teach them the importance of sanitation. Germs lurk everywhere, especially for children because they are in close quarters with so many other children daily at school. According to a study published in a 2000 edition of the "American Journal of Infection Control," elementary school students lacking proper hand-cleaning hygiene are absent from more school than counterparts with proper hand-washing habits. As many as 80 percent of infectious diseases are passed along via the hands, according to pediatrician Dr. William Sears, who has written more than 40 books on childcare. While there are many hand sanitizers on the market, the Food and Drug Administration says they should be used in moderation, and not as a replacement for old-fashioned soap-and-water washings.
