When your child attends daycare or school she is bound to come in contact with harmful viruses and bacteria. Establishing healthy habits to keep her body strong can help ward off illnesses. She might not be able to completely avoid catching the cold or flu, but maintaining a strong immune system can shorten the duration of an illness.
Breast Milk
Choosing to breast feed is a decision that will help to strengthen your child's immune system from the very beginning of her life. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, breast milk provides many substances that will boost her immune system, including white blood cells, enzymes, immune factors and antibodies. These substances can help protect your baby against diseases and infections long after she has been weaned. Although infant formula will meet your child's nutritional needs, only breast milk can provide these benefits.
Vaccinations
Some parents forgo immunizations for their child, but they might be missing out on a key step to boosting his immune system. When a child's body becomes infected, his immune system must work to fight off the organism causing the illness. Vaccines typically are made up of dead or weakened versions of the attacking organism, and exposure to these organisms cause your child's body to create antibodies to fight off the illness. The AAP states that these antibodies will remain in his body, ready to destroy the illness should it attack in the future.
Balanced Meals
According to the American Dietetic Association, a healthy diet can reduce your risk of becoming sick or speed up your recovery if you become ill. Aiming to include foods from each food group will keep your child's diet balanced, but it also is important to make sure her diet is varied. Including a wide variety of foods from each of the food groups can help prevent nutrient deficiencies in your child's diet. These deficiencies could weaken her resistance to illness.
Healthy Habits
Following food safety rules can reduce you and your child's contact with harmful bacteria. Make sure that everyone in your household washes their hands before eating or preparing foods. This will cut down on the spread of germs from person to person. Another way to keep your child's body strong and ready to fight off illness is by promoting a healthy lifestyle. Make sure your child maintains a healthy weight and gets adequate sleep at night to keep his body healthy and strong.
