How to boost a child’s immunity using folk remedies. Vitamins and foods that increase a child's immunity

For most parents, the question of how to strengthen the child’s immune system comes first - children often suffer from colds and viral diseases. Doctors recommend paying more attention to preventing diseases and increasing immunity in children under 5 years of age. It is during this period that viral and bacterial infections are dangerous due to complications. If a child is often sick, then the most important part in protecting the growing body will be taken by means of increasing immunity in children.

When choosing suitable methods for restoring and strengthening children's immunity, preference should be given to safe and effective options. In this regard, many parents will be interested in learning how to boost their child’s immunity using folk remedies. Alternative medicine recipes are based on the use of natural ingredients, which, when dosed correctly, are not capable of harming even newborn babies.

It is advisable to boost immunity from a very early age. In children aged 1 to 3 years, the immune system response is unstable and often weak. The strength of the immune response depends on the condition of the body. As a rule, infants under one year of age do not have an acquired (adaptive) immune response, which is based on the activity of receptors designed to recognize foreign stimuli.

Acquired immunity develops throughout life.

From birth to one year of age it is in its infancy. There are factors that inhibit the normal development of the immune system in children under three years of age and increase susceptibility to colds of viral and bacterial etiology. Among them:

• congenital pathologies of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract;
• weakening of the local immune response, which leads to the formation of local foci of chronic infection in the nasopharynx and oral cavity;
• manifestations of allergies;
• dysbacteriosis;
• intoxication and hypoxia during gestation.

Separately, it is worth mentioning other reasons that contribute to increased morbidity in children of the younger age group:

• contact with a large number of people while visiting a kindergarten, primary school, public places (shops, public transport, playrooms, children's entertainment centers);
• unsatisfactory environmental situation;
• deficiency in the body of vitamins, microelements, and other useful substances;
• complications caused by infectious diseases in early childhood;
• unreasonable use of antibiotics and other medications;
• stress, excessive psychological stress;
• failure to comply with hygiene and sanitation standards in residential premises.

When looking for an answer to the question of how to strengthen a child’s immunity with folk remedies, it is better to first consult with a pediatrician. Traditional healers have many effective recipes aimed at increasing the immunity of a frequently ill child, but when prescribing them, possible contraindications must be taken into account.

Traditional ways to increase the child’s body’s resistance to infections

The first steps in how to increase the immunity of a child who is already 3-4 years old are aimed at eliminating the causes of a decrease in the body’s natural defense against infections. A proper daily routine and good nutrition play a big role. The therapy program includes:

• complex vitamin preparations. During and after illness, the consumption of vitamins and mineral elements increases, which is difficult to compensate by eating regular food;
• biostimulating additives prepared on the basis of natural ingredients (adaptogens). Adaptogens actively prevent the development of the disease or contribute to its mild course. These are tinctures, decoctions, extracts from ginseng root, lemongrass (Chinese and Far Eastern), eleutherococcus, echinacea, propolis. Pharmacy analogues - “Immunal”, “Immunorm”, “Immunex” (echinacea), “Apilikvirit” (bee jelly, licorice), “Politabs” (fermented pollen), “Cernilton” (extract obtained from dry pollen), “Fitovit” "(medicinal plant extracts), "Likol" (Chinese lemongrass oil);
• pharmaceutical drugs with immunomodulatory effects. Medicines “IRS-19”, “Ribomunil”, “Bronchomunal” are prescribed from an early age - with their help you can increase the immunity of even an infant. These medications contain fragments of bacteria that are harmless to the baby, which are most often the causative agents of infectious diseases occurring in the throat, nasopharynx and bronchi. The drugs act according to the vaccine method. Once in the body of a small patient, they force the immune system to independently adapt to pathogens, respond to their penetration and produce antibodies that localize the activity of pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

Parents who are thinking about how to increase the immunity of a 3-4 year old child should be aware that treatment with adaptogens and immunomodulators requires a systematic approach. To achieve the desired result, such medications are taken continuously for a long time. After a course of therapy, immunity is formed, which will protect the body from infections for a certain time (individual indicator).

After a 2-3 month break, revaccination is usually prescribed. The dosage, duration of administration and timing of the repeated course are determined by a pediatrician.

To boost immunity, children prone to allergies should be prescribed medications containing honey and bee products with caution. If there have been cases of allergies to such substances in the past, honey-based medicines should be abandoned.

Other ways to improve your child's health

When considering how to increase the immunity of a child aged 2 years and younger, you should pay attention to hardening, which will help maintain the body’s own defense at the proper level. It is recommended to start hardening a child from a very early age - from 1.5-2 months. For these purposes, hardening procedures are regularly performed:

Parents who are interested in how to restore their child’s immunity at home should pay attention to acupressure. Regular massaging of certain points on the child’s face and body leads to increased production of substances that increase their own immunity. These are interferon (a protein that is secreted by the body in response to the introduction of a virus), lysozyme (an antibacterial agent), complement (a set of immune system proteins responsible for the immune response). Active points are located:

• in the middle of the chest at the level of the fifth rib;
• in the jugular cavity;
• at the base of the bridge of the nose;
• in front of the anterior edge of the auricle cartilage;
• slightly above the base of the nasolabial fold at the wing of the nose;
• on the back of the hand between the index finger and thumb.

To restore the body’s immune system, you need to massage the active points daily for 10-14 days, as well as at the first signs of a cold, after the child has come into contact with an ARVI patient. The procedure is performed with light pressing circular movements of the thumb, index or middle finger. Rotation is performed first clockwise and then in the opposite direction. Exposure time is 4-5 seconds in both directions.

Medicinal mixtures and mixtures to strengthen the immune system

Folk remedies for immunity for children include decoctions and infusions prepared from medicinal plants. Recipes for drugs that support your own immune defense at a high level:

• herbal collection Mix dried herbs - licorice root and elecampane (one part each), elderberry (2 parts), raspberry leaves (4 parts). A teaspoon of raw material is poured with water (150 ml), brought to a boil and simmered over low heat for one minute, then filtered. The prepared decoction should be given to the child 2-3 times a day before meals. The course of treatment is one month;
• herbal collection 4 tablespoons of a dry mixture of herbs (2 parts each of oregano and coltsfoot, 1 part calamus, 4 parts each of viburnum and raspberry leaves) pour 0.5 liters of boiled water, leave for 5-10 minutes, filter, give the child a drink 2-3 doses. Duration of treatment – ​​one month;
• decoction of rose hips. 2 tablespoons of dry berries are poured into 0.5 liters of water, brought to a boil and cooked for 5-7 minutes;
• vitamin mixture. Walnuts, raisins, dates (1 cup each), almonds (0.5 cups), two lemons, fresh aloe leaves in an amount of 100 g are passed through a meat grinder. Add 400-500 ml of honey to the mass, mix thoroughly, leave in the refrigerator for three days. Give the baby 1 dessert spoon twice a day;
• vitamin mixture. 1 lemon and 0.5 kg of cranberries are passed through a meat grinder. Add 2 tablespoons of honey to the mixture and mix thoroughly. Give the baby 1 tablespoon twice a day along with warm tea (preferably herbal tea - fennel, chamomile, mint, raspberry leaves, linden flowers).

To strengthen the immune system, it is useful to introduce juices and compotes made from cranberries, black currants, viburnum, and raspberries into the menu of a small patient. The daily diet must include fermented milk products (cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, yogurt, kefir), fresh, boiled and steamed vegetables and fruits.

Parents have no reason to be particularly concerned if their child gets sick with ARVI several times a year without serious consequences. This frequency is considered acceptable, since a developing organism, when confronted with a new virus, develops immunity to it.

If your child, no matter how old he is, constantly suffers from a variety of infectious and colds, moves from one painful state to another without having time to get stronger and recover, then serious measures need to be taken.

You need to know ways to avoid colds.

From this article you will learn how to quickly boost the immunity of a one-year-old child and older, how to boost the immunity of teenagers 12-13 years old or older at home, and also get a lot of other useful information.

How to improve the immunity of a frequently ill child?

If your baby is constantly sick, try to follow simple rules that will help a 3-4 year old child recover faster after an illness:

1. The baby should get a good night's sleep - his night's sleep should be at least 8 hours. Don’t forget about daytime rest - at this age, the child should also sleep for at least an hour during the day.
2. Go for walks more often. The optimal place for a promenade would be a park, a forest, or a trip to a lake or river, where you can breathe fresh air and run barefoot on the grass in the warm season.
3. Make sure that the food is balanced and includes the necessary complex of vitamins and nutrients.
4. Bring as many positive emotions as possible into your baby's life.
5. To restore the body, you can use folk remedies. Vitamins and medications aimed at strengthening the immune system are best taken in consultation with the pediatrician.
6. Do gymnastics and simple physical exercises with your child.

Restoring the immune system after pneumonia

Fortunately, such a diagnosis is not so often made to young patients. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all instructions, this disease can be quickly overcome.

After recovery, the question arises of how to increase the immunity of both a child and a 14-15 year old teenager after pneumonia.

The most important requirement is to try to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, spend less time watching TV and sitting at the computer.

Organize proper nutrition child by minimizing the consumption of unhealthy foods such as chips and Coca-Cola.

It is imperative to pay attention to hardening. Such a procedure should be started very carefully, only after complete relief from the symptoms of the disease. Start hardening gradually by wiping yourself with a damp towel, walking barefoot on the grass or sand. When the child’s body gets used to it, you can start dousing yourself, using warm water first, gradually reducing the degrees.

If possible, take your teenager to the sea or to the mountains, where he can breathe clean sea or mountain air.

Can be prepared at home decoctions of medicinal plants, which are aimed at increasing immunity. Be patient: it may take 3 to 4 months for the child to fully rehabilitate and restore his health.

Stimulating immunity after antibiotics

In order to increase the immunity of children 7 - 8 years old and other ages after taking antibiotics, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive measures:

1. Drink plenty of fluids- the liquid will remove accumulated toxins in the body. As drinks you can offer weak tea, all kinds of compotes and juices, decoctions of medicinal plants, plain water without gases. It is better not to use carbonated drinks for these purposes, as they will not bring any benefit to a fragile body.
2. Normalization of intestinal microflora- Your child needs to consume fermented milk products every day. It can be kefir, sour cream, yogurt, cottage cheese - they are rich in beneficial lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. If a child refuses to consume such products, then special preparations containing these substances can be used. The main thing is that you can use these medications after consulting with your doctor.
3. Taking immunomodulators and other homeopathic remedies, aimed at stimulating the functioning of the immune system, is best carried out under the supervision of specialists.

Try to have your child have less contact with sick people until his immune system is fully strengthened to avoid the risk of re-infection.

How can you quickly boost your immunity?

As soon as the baby is born, parents try to protect him from infectious diseases and ask the question: how to boost a baby's immunity u. You should not conduct various experiments on a fragile organism - the most important thing is not to overdo it and not do harm.

1. Try to breastfeed your baby, since breast milk contains not only useful and nutritious substances for the development of the baby, but also antibodies that help prevent disease. Through mother's milk, babies receive her immunity, which protects them from infections.
2. Carry out hardening- it helps improve the functioning of the immune system. Start with air baths, gradually moving on to water procedures. Try to wrap your child up less, because babies get sick not from hypothermia, but from overheating.
3. Make sure the toys your baby plays with are clean.. This is especially true for those that he pulls into his mouth. Wash plastic toys more often; it is better to refrain from playing with soft toys, as they are a place where dust accumulates.
4. Don't experiment with food. It is better to introduce complementary foods after 6 months. Introduce new foods gradually at intervals of 3 to 4 days, as soon as the baby gets used to the previously introduced foods. Monitor the body's reaction and the absence of allergic reactions. From 8 to 9 months, gradually introduce fermented milk products - they create beneficial microflora in the intestines and prevent the development of infectious diseases.
5. In case of illness, be sure to consult a doctor- Medications should be given only in consultation with the doctor. During colds, give your baby plenty of fluids so that toxins leave the body faster without causing serious damage.
6. Don't refuse vaccinations. It is better to prevent serious diseases than to try to cure and overcome the consequences of their occurrence.

Remember: it will be easier for your baby to stay healthy if other family members are not sick either. Therefore, take care not only of your baby’s immune system, but also of your own.

Let's take a closer look at the main means for increasing immunity in children of different ages.

Vitamins and foods that increase a child's immunity

In order for your child’s immunity to guard his health, you need to consume a number of vitamins every day. The basis of a balanced diet is this food filled with vitamins, microelements, macroelements and other useful components.

Take care of your baby's health by including vitamins in his diet that boost immunity in children. Their main list, as well as useful elements contained in the products, are presented in the table:

Substances	Effect on the child’s body	Products
Vitamin A	Protects the baby's body from infectious diseases	Found in liver, eggs, milk, carrots and pumpkin
Vitamin B2	Takes part in metabolic processes, filling cells with oxygen, reducing the risk of toxic effects on the body	Present in large quantities in fish, meat, egg whites, cereals
Vitamin B5	Active in the metabolic processes of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, which are required for the production of amino acids important for life.	Found in peas, cauliflower and yeast
Vitamin B6	Helps produce antibodies to fight infectious diseases	Found in large quantities in fish, chicken, whole grains
Vitamin B12	Participates in the production of red blood cells	Present in poultry meat, milk, fish, eggs
Vitamin C	Helps improve the body's protective properties, thereby increasing immunity	Citrus fruits, green vegetables and berries are rich in this vitamin.
Vitamin D	Stimulates the immune system, occurs under the influence of ultraviolet radiation	A small proportion of this vitamin is present in butter and egg yolk
Vitamin E	Protects against destruction of immune cells	Contained in nuts, cereals, sunflower seeds
Selenium	Its activity is aimed at maintaining the functioning of the immune system	Present in large quantities in seafood, meat, cereals
Zinc	Has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system, activates the restoration of the skin	Present in red meat
Iron	Increases the proportion of hemoglobin in the blood, fills cells with oxygen	Beetroot, beans, blueberries, apples, and sea buckthorn are rich in this microelement.
Magnesium	Actively participates in biochemical reactions	Found in beans and nuts
Calcium	Stimulates the activity of enzymes, under its influence bone tissue develops better	Present in milk, yoghurt products, cottage cheese
Omega-3 fatty acids	Activate the functioning of the brain and nervous system, improve resistance to infections and various ailments	Contained in sea fish and cod liver, as well as flaxseed oil
Prebiotic	Protects the intestinal microflora, filling it with beneficial bacteria and enzymes	Present in significant quantities in fermented milk products

There are situations when the child’s body is severely weakened and cannot obtain the optimal proportion of vitamins and nutritional components from food.

Products that include vitamins that increase immunity in children are most often taken once a day in the morning or after meals, since at this time the body is most active, so the beneficial elements will be better absorbed.

The most popular vitamin complexes include:

1. Pikovit. Various versions are available, depending on the age of the child. It is produced in the form of chewable and swallowable tablets, and as a syrup. Its structure contains 9 vitamins and minerals that normalize biochemical processes in the body. This drug is prescribed:
   • when observing increased fatigue in school-age children;
   • high physical and mental overload;
   • poor appetite;
   • lack of proper nutrition;
   • after illness;
   • to stimulate the immune system to resist infectious and colds;
   • seasonal vitamin deficiency;
   • in general therapy with other drugs.
2. Kinder Biovital. Available in gel and gummy bear form. It can be taken by children from 1 to 13 years old. The structure of this product includes vitamins, macroelements and microelements. This complex of vitamins prevents the formation of vitamin deficiency, normalizes protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolic processes, activates the immune system, and allows for faster recovery from various ailments.
   Prescribed in case of:
   • for preventive and therapeutic purposes to increase the insufficient proportion of vitamins in the body;
   • high need for vitamin complexes;
   • activation of the immune system;
   • during rapid growth of children and adolescents;
   • lack of balanced nutrition.
3. Vitrum Kids. It contains 12 vitamins and 10 minerals, macroelements and microelements. Can be used by children aged 2 to 5 years. Most often it is prescribed if a child has a need for:
   • macroelements and microelements;
   • improving the functioning of the immune system;
   • preventing the development of vitamin deficiency;
   • with a lack of nutrients due to poor nutrition;
   • activation of attention and memory;
   • overcoming high loads at school.
4. Imuno Kids "Plus" from the manufacturer Multi tabs. The structure contains not only vitamins, but also a probiotic. Its use activates the body's protective properties, normalizing the state of the immune system, protects the child's digestive system, and enriches the body with useful components.
   It is recommended to take it if:
   • it is necessary to carry out preventive actions to avoid infection with ARVI during epidemics;
   • you need to overcome vitamin deficiency;
   • the immune system should be strengthened while taking antibiotics;
   • it is necessary to stimulate the adaptive properties of the child’s body.
5. Alphabet. It has 13 minerals, 9 vitamins and prebiotics, which help improve the immune system and normalize the intestinal microflora. A similar complex should be taken:
   • during the active growth of the child;
   • to improve immunity;
   • after prolonged use of antibiotics;
   • in the absence of a balanced diet;
   • to eliminate hypovitaminosis.

Please note that such vitamins must be given strictly following the instructions, as well as observing the reactions of the child’s body. If an allergic reaction occurs, you should stop taking the product and consult a doctor. If, after taking this drug, the child’s stool is disrupted, then the drug he is taking is not suitable for him and should be stopped.

Herbs for children that improve immunity

The use of medicinal plants to stimulate the functioning of the immune system helps to Children's bodies become more resistant to colds.

Let's look at the most commonly used herbs that increase immunity for children:

1. Echinacea It has antiviral, antibacterial characteristics and has accumulative properties. Using this plant over a long period of time helps reduce the number of colds. Echinacea is taken as a tincture or decoction.
   To prepare the decoction, you will need 2 tablespoons of this plant (leaves, twigs, flowers are used), which must be poured with 1 liter of boiling water. Leave for 30 minutes. To improve the taste, add a little honey or lemon juice. This remedy should be taken 1 tablespoon an hour after the main meal.
2. Rosehip berries make the child's body more resistant to infectious diseases, enhancing protective properties and normalizing metabolism. The healing properties of this plant are explained by the large proportion of vitamin C contained in rose hips. It activates the process of interferon production. The berries need to be crushed a little and pour boiling water over them. After infusion, you can drink it like tea.
3. Licorice naked characterized by the ability to relieve pain, protect against colds, and also tone the body.
   To prepare a decoction from the root of this plant, you will need 1 teaspoon of this plant and a glass of boiling water. Simmer the broth for about 20 minutes, and then leave it for an hour to infuse. After this time, strain and add boiling water to make a glass of this drink.
   This remedy must be given with caution, checking that the child does not have an allergic reaction. Start with 10 drops, gradually increasing to 1/3 tablespoon. It should be consumed 30 minutes before meals 3-4 times a day.

Along with these plants, also used in herbal medicine are: other herbs that boost immunity for children, For example:

• chamomile;
• St. John's wort;
• Linden;
• mint;
• thyme.

In pharmacies you can also find ready-made preparations, which include several plants.

If your child is taking other medications, such as vitamins or medications to stimulate the immune system, consult your doctor before using herbs. The fact is that not all drugs and herbs can interact with each other to benefit the body, so their combination should be carefully selected.

Medicines

In severe conditions, when the child’s body cannot cope with frequent colds or infectious diseases, the doctor may recommend taking special medications to improve the functioning of the immune system.

Please note that all medications must be taken strictly in agreement with the pediatrician and under his supervision, according to the instructions, without violating the dosage.

There are several types of immunostimulating agents:

1. Based on plant extracts:
   • Immunal - contains echinacea and is used for prevention;
   • Eleutherococcus extract;
   • tincture of ginseng.
2. Having a bacterial origin. The structure of these drugs includes enzymes from bacteria that cause infectious diseases, for example, pneumococcus or staphylococcus. They have a strong immunostimulating effect. Such drugs include:
   • ribomunyl;
   • broncho-munal;
   • lycopid;
   • imudon.
3. With nucleic acids. These drugs are distinguished by immunomodulatory, restorative and wound-healing characteristics. These include derinat.
4. Drugs containing interferon have the greatest positive effect in the primary stages of the disease. These include:
   • Viferon;
   • influenza;
   • anaferon;
   • amiksin.
5. Thymus preparations used to seriously stimulate the immune system. Can only be prescribed by a doctor. These include:
   • Thymalin;
   • Vilosen;
   • thymostimulin.

How to boost immunity with folk remedies?

Traditional medicine is rich in many recipes that help stimulate the immune system.

1. Prepare apricot and raisin compote. To make the compote truly healthy, you shouldn’t add sugar. If your child refuses to drink an unsweetened drink, you can add a spoonful of honey. A similar drink can be prepared not only in summer, but also in winter, using frozen or dried apricots. You will need:
   • 1 kilogram apricot;
   • 2 tablespoons raisins;
   • 5 liters of water.
2. Try to encourage your child to eat clove of garlic. Even if he eats it not every day, but once every 2-3 days, this will significantly strengthen his immunity.
3. Make tea with lemon. Such a drink will not only be tasty, but also healthy, since it contains ascorbic acid and essential oils contained in lemon peel.
4. Radish and carrot juice A child of any age will like it if you add a spoonful of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. It is worth adding juice from these vegetables in equal proportions.
5. pollen can also strengthen the immune system. It should be taken 1 teaspoon 2 times a day (morning and evening). You should be extremely careful with such a product - it is allowed to be used only if the child does not have allergic reactions to bee products.
6. Syrup based on aloe and honey has a high content of useful substances. But be prepared for the fact that the taste is not very pleasant, so the child may refuse to take it. Squeeze the juice out of the lemons, add honey and aloe juice. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Take 1 teaspoon 1 time per day. To prepare the syrup you will need:
   • 250 grams of honey;
   • 150 milliliters of aloe juice;
   • 5 - 6 pieces of lemons.
7. Rowan decoction has excellent healing properties. To prepare it, take 1 tablespoon of dried rowan berries and 200 milliliters of water. Pour water over the fruits and boil over low heat for 10 minutes. The broth should stand for at least 3 - 4 hours, so that it is thoroughly infused, it is better to leave it overnight. In the same way, you can brew decoctions of rose hips, hawthorn and cranberries. Teenagers aged 12 years and older can drink this infusion 50 - 100 milliliters 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
8. Part viburnum fruits includes not only beneficial vitamins, such as A, C, P and group B, but also antioxidants. The presence of natural red dyes makes it possible to cope with infectious diseases, not only ARVI, but also herpetic viruses. 20 viburnum berries must be ground through a meat grinder or in a blender, add 1 spoon of honey and a glass of warm water. It is better to drink this drink before bed, since viburnum not only has a positive effect on the immune system, but also normalizes sleep, calming the nervous system.

Use these recipes, and you can quickly increase the immunity of children and adolescents 16-17 years old using folk remedies, without resorting to chemicals.

Now you know what needs to be done to quickly improve the functioning of your child’s immune system and avoid frequent illnesses.

Child immunity is an exciting topic for parents. Some mothers and fathers think that a breastfed baby is insured against all diseases. Others, convinced of the weakness of the newborn, raise him in “greenhouse conditions.” Let's figure out how the immune system functions. Let's find out its features in children under one year old. Let's find out what means help strengthen it.

general information

Immunity is a complex system that protects the body from foreign agents. Its organs are bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, internal and external mucous membranes.

The work of the immune system is multifaceted. Simplified, it looks like this. When a cell containing foreign genetic information enters the body of a child or adult, it is perceived as an antigen. In response, substances are produced to destroy it - antibodies. This type of immunity is called specific: antibodies are suitable for neutralizing specific antigens. In addition, there is a nonspecific protective mechanism: upon contact with a microbe, interferon and other elements are synthesized that interfere with the development of the pathological process.

What other types of immunity work in children’s bodies?

1. general - a holistic system that includes all immune organs
2. local – barrier mechanisms of mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat) that prevent the penetration of microbes
3. congenital - protection that operates from birth due to maternal antibodies
4. acquired - immunity to infection, developed as a result of a previous disease (natural) or after vaccination (artificial)
5. cellular – fight of cells against harmful substances
6. humoral - synthesis of immunoglobulins (antibodies), there are 10 classes of them

Sometimes the immune system reacts inappropriately and perceives food proteins as antigens. This is how allergies start in infants. Children of the first years are very prone to it. The most severe case of improper functioning of the immune system is autoimmune diseases, when the body attacks its own cells.

Features of immunity in children

A newborn has the same immune system organs as a 5-6 year old child or an adult. But they work imperfectly: protective substances are produced in small quantities.

The newborn’s main means of defense is class G immunoglobulins received from the mother: antibodies to diseases suffered by the woman. They are transmitted in the third trimester of pregnancy and last until 3-6 months of age. At 6 months, the baby is protected by its immunoglobulins, but they begin to be fully synthesized after a year.

A peculiarity of the body of children in the first years of life is a weak ability to limit infection. The herpes virus, which causes ulcers on the lips in an adult or a child aged 3-4 years, can lead to damage to the entire body in a newborn (generalization of pathology). A child under one year old should be protected from germs, but not kept in sterile conditions, so that the immune system is trained.

Breastfeeding plays a huge role in the development of the protective system of children in the early years. Milk contains immunoglobulins and other protective components. They do not enter the baby’s blood, but work in his intestines, the mucous membrane of which is part of the general immunity. Formula-fed babies are more likely to experience intestinal infections.

Immune problems

The imperfection of a child's immunity in the first years forces parents to look for ways to raise (strengthen) it. Dr. Komarovsky believes: most children do not need this. What is required of moms and dads is not to increase their defenses, but to create conditions for their development.

But there are babies suffering from immune deficiency. They need drug therapy to raise it. There are several dozen rare diseases accompanied by immunodeficiency. Their symptoms:

• frequent infectious diseases in severe form - purulent skin infections, prolonged bronchitis, pneumonia
• gastrointestinal disorders - constipation, diarrhea
• fatigue, drowsiness, moodiness
• swollen lymph nodes
• absence of fever in severe acute respiratory infections

When faced with these signs, you should take your child to the doctor, and not look for “magic” remedies to strengthen the immune system.

If a child in his first years suffers from acute respiratory viral infections 3-6 times a year and tolerates them normally, his immune system is fine. When visiting a team, the frequency of illnesses can increase up to 12 times a year. Komarovsky writes: general immunity is responsible for the severity of diseases, and local immunity is responsible for their frequency.

Strengthening protection

Even if a baby under one year old does not have immune problems, parents want to improve his health so that he gets sick less often. Komarovsky and other pediatricians give the following recommendations:

1. Nutrition. Up to 6 months - mother's milk (formula), then introduction. The diet of a child during his first years should be varied and rich in nutrients. The child's body should be protected from synthetic substances. It is important not to overfeed your baby.
2. The air parameters in the room are 18-22 °C heat and 50-70% humidity, frequent ventilation. In hot, dry and dusty air, the full functioning of local immunity is impossible, due to the fact that the mucus in the nasopharynx dries out.
3. Physical activity and fresh (clean) air. Komarovsky insists: walking and moderate outdoor sports are very beneficial for children’s health.
4. Wardrobe according to the weather. In children of the first years, heat exchange is accelerated. If a child moves independently, he should wear one less item of clothing than an adult.
5. Vaccinations. Medicine offers vaccines against many dangerous diseases - polio, hepatitis, measles and others. You should not deprive your child of the right to be protected.
6. Hardening procedures. You can improve your baby’s health through gentle procedures – bathing in cool water, air baths, and rubbing. It is important to accustom your baby to the cold gradually.
7. Hygiene. Cleanliness of dishes, toys, clothes, hands is the key to a child’s well-being. But you should not use toxic disinfectants. Enough baby soap and boiling (in the first month).
8. Minimum. The use of medications in newborns and infants must be justified. If you have a mild ARVI, you should not give your baby antiviral, expectorant, or other medications. Within 5-7 days his body will cope with the disease.

There are many herbal and synthetic drugs to stimulate the immune system in children. They should not be used as self-medication. The protective system has a structure consisting of many links; increasing it is not as easy as it seems. You should not interfere with its work so as not to harm the child. The doctor can prescribe such drugs after finding out all the features of the functioning of the baby’s immune system.

The immunity of newborns is formed during the first year of life. If the baby does not have serious pathologies, parents do not need to strive to raise (strengthen) him. It is more important to make efforts to ensure that the baby’s body develops normally: do not overfeed, do not wrap him up, go for walks, harden him, use medications to a minimum. Various pharmacological drugs that affect the functioning of the protective system should be used only as prescribed by a doctor if there are real indications.

Taking care of strong children's immunity is the primary task of parents. In the fight for health, medications, folk recipes, and hardening are used. Compositions created at home based on medicinal plants are preferable, so parents should know how to boost their child’s immunity using folk remedies.

There are many plants, fruits, rhizomes that increase the body's defenses. You should learn to choose effective folk recipes and be able to correlate combinations of ingredients according to the age of the children. Having an idea of ​​the program for restoring the body’s internal reserves means not panicking if the baby has a weak immune system, but knowing what to do, what strengthening agents to give him.

You must understand the age aspect of using folk remedies. And don’t get confused about how to strengthen the immune system of a 2-year-old child, what to give to children at 3 years old, at 6 years old, and after 12 years old. For example, potent products based on echinacea, ginseng, and Rhodiola rosea should not be consumed by children, but for the health of the child and mother there is a choice of medicinal plants that have a gentle effect on the immune system. They help to urgently turn on protection against colds, infections, and raise resistance to viral and bacterial invasion.

If a child’s system of counteracting negative external factors is impaired from birth, then from the first days parents note anxiety, poor appetite, and an increased reaction to cold in the baby. Specific signs help to recognize weak immunity, which pediatricians warn mothers about when advising on the basics of nutrition during breastfeeding, and recommend paying attention to strengthening immune capabilities during seasonal colds.

Characteristic symptoms of reduced immunity are listed:

• the baby gets sick every season;
• painful conditions in the absence of fever are common;
• the child is lethargic throughout the day or several hours a day;
• enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits and cervical region;
• Food allergies often occur.

If such signs are detected, the baby must be shown to a doctor, do not refuse vaccination, conduct a diagnostic examination and identify the reasons for the child’s weak immunity.

Conditions for decreased protective functions may lie in improper feeding, uncomfortable living conditions, and genetic predisposition. Only an examination prescribed by a doctor will allow you to find out the true reasons. Only after this should one look for opportunities to nourish the child’s body.

Raising immunity with folk remedies

To do this, it is recommended to turn to recipes created by traditional healers and approved by medicine. When preparing medications, follow proven dosages and do not distort the combination of incoming components. Compliance with these requirements will help avoid the risk of adverse side effects.

Honey and propolis

Beekeeping products contain a maximum of useful minerals that modulate immunity. The action of propolis and honey helps to quickly restore defenses. During the cold season, it is recommended to give your child milk with propolis dissolved in it. To treat stomatitis, smear the baby's palate with honey. Honey and propolis also have a calming effect and promote restful sleep.

A recipe for a popular folk remedy made from propolis to restore immunity.

• natural liquid honey - 4 tsp;
• propolis - 1 tsp.
• the ingredients are mixed;
• The prepared mixture is taken half a teaspoon daily.

Echinacea

Children are prohibited from strengthening their immune system with alcohol tinctures, but a water infusion of the medicinal root is a folk remedy that is not forbidden to be given to children. The cooking recipe includes a tablespoon of chopped root per 0.5 boiling water. Let it sit for a day, strain, then it is recommended to add up to half a liter of boiled water. Drinking regimen for children - 100 ml before meals twice a day.

Aloe juice

Aloe vera juice is suitable for children's immunity. You need to take leaves of a mature plant (3-10 years old). For a pleasant taste, you can drink it in combination with honey, lemon juice, and milk. A folk remedy made from aloe with honey and nuts is called the elixir of health. It is prepared using equal parts of aloe gel, honey, chopped walnuts, and lemon juice. The mixture is allowed to brew for two weeks, then taken in the morning on an empty stomach, a teaspoon. You need to drink the mixture with warmed milk.

Rose hip

The berries of the plant are rich in vitamin C, the main immunomodulator. Rosehip decoction is useful for children and adults; it is drunk during colds, as a diuretic, diaphoretic, cleanser, and for diseases of the genitourinary system.

1. Two tablespoons of berries need to be steamed with boiling water in a thermos (1 l).
2. Leave for 4 hours.
3. Strain through a strainer and pour the broth into a jar, bringing the volume of liquid to 1 liter.
4. Drink before meals as tea for adults, for children a quarter glass three times a day.

Ginger

Ginger drink is a well-known folk remedy that improves immunity. Microelements and vitamins are considered to stimulate the defenses; they help the body adapt to critical conditions during epidemics. A piece of plant root is pre-washed, cleaned, and ground. Then the mixture is poured with boiling water and honey is added. A teaspoon of raw materials produces 250 ml of healing tea, which children over 6 years old can drink a quarter glass before meals. It is not customary to give ginger tea to infants; after three years, consultation with a doctor is required.

For children under three years old, it is recommended to prepare a delicious vitamin mixture of lemon, ginger, and honey. A folk recipe that strengthens the immune system of a baby is created by chopping peeled ginger root, lemon with peel but without seeds, and honey. Lemon and root are cut into pieces, crushed in a blender, diluted with honey to a consistency that can be easily scooped into a spoon. Children are given half a teaspoon or added to tea. From three years old - fully, from 7 years old - a couple of spoons are allowed.

Cranberry

Swamp cranberry helps strengthen the immune system due to the presence of phenol carbonic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and vitamins. Cranberry recipes for children are as follows:

• grated berries with sugar, added to tea or milk;
• a mixture of cranberries with honey and milk;
• berry juice;
• cranberry juice;
• fresh berry.

Carefully! Contraindication is an allergy to the product. Cranberries prepared according to folk recipes are a medicine and a delicacy; children drink drinks from the berry with pleasure.

Onion and garlic

The main popular advice is a simple suggestion - place chopped garlic cloves and onions next to the bed during an epidemic to prevent illness. However, this effect does not affect immunity, but the disinfection of the environment. The body's defenses are strengthened by eating foods internally or externally.

The juice is squeezed out of the onion and used as nasal drops in diluted form to counteract colds. Garlic with sunflower oil is a folk recipe for homemade medicine for future use.

• Refined sunflower oil - 200 ml;
• Garlic - 1 large head;
• Garlic cloves are peeled and filled with oil;
• The mixture is infused on the refrigerator door for three days;
• Taken in a course of 2 weeks.

There are several ways to use it - drops for small children as added to food, a teaspoon on an empty stomach in the morning for children over 7 years old.

Chamomile and linden

Folk remedies prepared from chamomile and linden can be used for immunity by children under one year of age, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Doctors consider linden-chamomile tea to be a mild natural immunostimulant. It is prepared using equal parts of dry raw materials from chamomile flowers, linden flowers and boiling water. For 0.3 liters of boiling water you need to take a teaspoon of inflorescences and brew. The tea is infused for 30 minutes, then the still warm water is drained, and the drink is consumed in a third of a glass 20 minutes before meals.

The same composition can be steamed a second time in a teapot and used for inhalation for diseases of the larynx. The product has a diaphoretic, disinfecting, anti-inflammatory effect. According to popular advice, it is used during the cold season to strengthen the immunity of children and adults.

Fruits and vegetables

These are products that contain everything necessary to nourish the body with useful substances. Natural immunomodulators in folk medicine are:

• citrus fruits - orange, lemon, grapefruit as sources of vitamin C, other vitamins, microelements;
• apples containing iron, carotene, vitamin A;
• pomegranate and grapes are sources of increasing vitality and fighting anemia;
• exotic fruits - pineapple, avocado, kiwi, mango, containing a complex of vitamins and microelements that support the immune system and have a general strengthening effect.

Fruits are consumed fresh, juice is squeezed out of them, fruit mixtures are made from them with honey, cream, and other dairy products. Milk-fruit mixtures with bifid flora are valuable for children. They help the gastrointestinal tract function, heal the intestinal mucosa, which is a condition for strong immunity.

Whole grain porridge

Such products have a positive effect on the immune system due to the following factors:

• complex carbohydrates, digested at a slow pace, which trains the gastrointestinal tract immunity;
• fiber, which improves digestion and adsorbs harmful toxins;
• Whole grains contain all the vitamins and microelements; their constant consumption gives children and adults health.

Folk recipes for preparing whole grain porridges suggest boiling them in water or milk. In order to quickly strengthen the immune system, it is recommended to do them by steaming them in a thermos. Whole grain cereal is brewed with boiling water and infused until the grains are loosened. Useful folk advice is adding honey, berries, fruits, jam, and nuts to porridge. It is possible to infuse porridge with milk or kefir for three hours.

Attention! A minimal amount of oil is added. Recommended: butter, olive, sunflower.

Children over 3 years old are allowed to eat whole grain porridge two to three times a week; after 6 years it is acceptable to eat it more often; it is recommended to eat steamed cereal products after 12 years. For children from one to three years old, whole grain porridge should be boiled until smooth.

Vitamin D fortified foods

For immunity, vitamin D is valuable because it promotes the health of the skeletal system, thyroid gland, and blood clotting. The vitamin is otherwise called calciferol; it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for strong immunity.

Popular and medical advice says: eat these foods at least twice a week so that your immunity is always at its best. Children of all ages are recommended to buy vitamin D3 preparation - Devisol.

Nuts

Nut mixtures are a storehouse of selenium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vegetable proteins. The fats they contain do not contribute to weight gain; they help keep cholesterol levels normal. This means preventing cardiovascular diseases, insomnia, and depression.

• Walnuts restore immunity after illness; according to popular belief, they are good for boys and strengthen their sexual constitution for the future.
• Cashew promotes hematopoiesis, strengthens the heart muscle, cleanses the respiratory organs and blood vessels from harmful substances and plaques.
• According to folk recipes, almonds should be consumed to prevent vitamin deficiency, liver and kidney diseases, and obesity.
• It is recommended to eat hazelnuts to protect against cancer.
• Pine nuts and pistachios have an antioxidant effect and ensure healthy gastrointestinal mucosa.
• Peanuts and Brazil nuts help stabilize hormonal levels, positively affecting the thyroid gland.

A popular folk recipe for a nut-fruit mixture for immunity helps children from the moment they learn to chew. You need to give half a teaspoon every year on an empty stomach, and gradually increase the dose over the years. The basic ingredient is honey. The remaining ingredients are nuts plus dried fruits - dried apricots, raisins, prunes, figs.

Advice! Combinations can be made at your own discretion. These are delicious vitamin mixtures that children of any age enjoy.

Oat decoction

The folk recipe involves the use of three components:

• oat grains - 300 g;
• natural honey - 100 g;
• freshly squeezed lemon juice - from one fruit.

An oat decoction is prepared by boiling the purified grains in 3 liters of water. The cooking process lasts 20 minutes, the resulting product is poured into a thermos and left for 24 hours. Then filter the solution and dilute it with honey, bring to a boil, and when it cools, add lemon juice. Children from one year old are given the mixture a teaspoon once in the morning, from three years old it can be taken twice, after 6 years the dose is increased to a tablespoon, from 12 years old - 100 ml at a time. Drink twice a day; traditional medicine recommends a two-week course of strengthening the immune system every season.

Natural juices

Drink juices for immunity according to the rules.

1. Squeeze fresh fruits and vegetables and drink within 15 minutes of squeezing. Bacteria multiply quickly in them.
2. Use a straw to consume the product in small portions.
3. Take juices half an hour before meals to prevent fermentation from starting in the intestines.
4. The best juices are those with pulp; they retain more useful components.
5. Use lemon juice diluted with water, add honey to it.
6. When consuming juices from stone fruits and pome fruits, mixing them with each other is not allowed.
7. Aggressive juices - garlic, onion, radish, radish, horseradish - are added dropwise to children's drinks.
8. Beetroot juice in the drink should be 30%.

On a note! Carrot, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, tangerine, mango, chokeberry, cranberry, and wheat germ juices are considered immunomodulatory juices.

Dairy products to eliminate germs and restore microflora

The benefits of fermented milk products for the immune system have been confirmed by official and traditional medicine. Folk recipes recommend naturally fermented products - yogurt, fermented baked milk, Varenets. Today, stores sell yoghurts and kefir enriched with bifido-lactobacteria. They effectively restore the balance of intestinal microflora, that is, they directly work on the immune system.

But the consumption of foods enriched with beneficial flora must be combined with plant adaptogens. They create conditions for maintaining an optimal combination of gastrointestinal microflora. In folk recipes these are vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. Doctors attribute the need for consuming these foods to their high fiber content, which helps in the digestive process.

Remember! Traditional healers call fermented foods, vegetables, fruits and grains essential components of strong immunity in children. If your child eats enough of them, the body will be able to actively fight diseases.

Seafood and fish oil

Seafood supports children's immunity, according to traditional healers and doctors. They are indispensable after suffering illnesses, since Omega 3, iodine, and other trace elements have therapeutic and preventive effects. It is enough to eat seaweed or crab meat a couple of times a week to ensure that children have a good resistance to disease.

Fish oil according to folk recipes prevents rickets, pathologies of the central nervous system, and helps the child’s body develop. This is a true storehouse of vitamins A, E, D, Omega 3. It is given to children of all ages, but for newborns the dosage is agreed with the doctor. The recommendation of doctors is to give the child capsules purchased at the pharmacy. There are instructions for the drug, so parental mistakes are excluded.

Bran, cedar oil, gentian, pine needles as immunostimulants

Traditional recipes suggest the use of these products in order to increase the immune capabilities of the child’s body. Bran is useful because it stimulates digestion and helps stabilize the intestinal microflora, the effect of which on the immune system is undeniable.

To prepare this folk remedy, wheat or rye bran is used. The technology for creating the mixture is as follows:

• bran - 1 tbsp. l.;
• boiling water - 1 tbsp.;
• dry marigold inflorescences - 1 tbsp. l.;
• honey - 1 tbsp.

Bran, steamed with boiling water should be boiled for half an hour over moderate heat. Then remove, strain, add calendula, put on the burner again for 5 minutes. Then the composition is chilled, strained and flavored with a spoonful of honey. Children under three years of age take two sips and a quarter glass for older children three times a day. People's advice is to give formula to a child with a weakened immune system.

Cedar oil useful for children during the period of spread of colds. The finished drug is sold in a pharmacy; it is given to children a third of a teaspoon three times a day. People's immune support course - 30 days. During use, it is necessary to monitor the stool of children; if diarrhea begins, the drug is discontinued.

Gentian According to folk medicine, it is considered a general tonic. A 10 g root is poured with one liter of water, infused day and night, the next morning 1 kg of granulated sugar is added to the solution, the mixture is brought to a boil. After it cools down and places it in a dark place. It is useful to drink a folk remedy three times, half a glass. For children under three years old, two tbsp is recommended. spoons.

Needles For immunity, according to folk recipes, it is used as a bath infusion. Bathe your child with the addition of pine extract. Regular use gives a general strengthening effect. Coniferous decoctions are a preventative against colds, they help prevent sore throats, and are used as gargles and inhalations for a sore throat.

Quickly boost your child's immunity

Folk remedies for very quickly increasing a child’s immunity help in combination with proper nutrition, hardening, and taking multivitamins. Parents should learn in detail the scheme for urgently strengthening the body’s resistance to diseases.

1. Consumption of dairy products with bifido-lactobacteria, promoting the health of the intestinal mucosa.
2. The presence of honey, whole grain porridge, onions, garlic, and nuts on the baby’s table.
3. Availability of medications containing multivitamins at home. These include Pikovit, Vitrum-Kids, Alphabet, Supradin-Kids, Undevit, Kinder Biovital.

Folk remedies have a high immunomodulatory power - propolis with milk, a decoction of four medicinal herbs.

Propolis with milk in folk medicine is called the elixir of children's health. It is prepared at the rate of 1 liter of warm milk plus 100 g of propolis. Bee glue is diluted in milk and the mixture is boiled for 4 minutes. Then the wax top is removed from the solution and it is filtered through multilayer gauze. Children from three years old are given a teaspoon of folk medicine, from 7 years old - a tablespoon. Consume three times a day

People's recipe “4 herbs”, includes ingredients:

• Birch buds,
• St. John's wort,
• chamomile,
• immortelle.

Pour boiling water over a tablespoon of raw material into a thermos and leave overnight. The infusion is drunk once half an hour before lunch. The amount of folk remedy for different ages is from two tablespoons for babies, up to a quarter glass for children from three years old, half a glass for older children.

To quickly strengthen the immune system, folk recipes advise preparing decoctions of goji berries and black cumin. After 12 years, add strong immunostimulants tinctures of ginseng, rhodiola, rosea, and echinacea to food as drops.

Remember! The best way not to harm children is to consult a doctor. If the immune system is weakened, a visit to the clinic is the responsibility of the parents.

Prevention measures

Strengthening the immune system with folk remedies is part of maintaining children's health. Traditional medicine puts other measures to prevent diseases on the same level.

1. Maintaining a daily routine. Children should go to bed on time, eat on schedule, spend their leisure time interestingly, and experience positive emotions while playing. Stable physical well-being and a favorable emotional background are the key to strong immunity. This is confirmed by traditional medicine, as well as doctors.
2. Rest, healthy sleep. An optimal combination of activity with rest and sleep is a requirement that must be strictly followed for the sake of children's health.
3. Hardening, walking. Fresh air, water, sunbathing help maintain vitamin balance, hormonal and immunological well-being in the body. Traditional healers, doctors, and psychologists say that without sun and air, children develop a lack of vitamin D, and without water the body weakens.
4. Morning exercises must be done daily to maintain vitality.
5. Hygiene and cleanliness in the nursery are the key to eliminating bacteria and other microorganisms that provoke the occurrence of infectious diseases.

Compliance with these factors is mandatory for parents. These conditions create a healthy lifestyle without seasonal and systemic ailments.

Hardening method according to Komarovsky

• Traditional healers, as well as prominent pediatricians, have a common opinion that strengthening immunity and hardening should complement each other.
  In newborns first 12 months The basis of hardening is the washing procedure. Gradually, manipulations with water become more complicated, and washing of the legs begins. First it is the heels, then the calves and feet are rinsed with water. The water is being made colder; for children with weakened immune systems, traditional medicine advises reducing the temperature by one degree. The time for hardening manipulations is after washing the child in the bath. The water should not be colder than 28 degrees. After six months, the baby’s entire body is wiped with a mitten soaked in cold water. In addition, to strengthen the baby’s immunity, you need to take walks in the fresh air so that he gets sunbathing. When changing clothes, it is recommended to massage.
• From 12 months to 3 years The hardening procedures are the same, but warm/cool baths are allowed for the feet. Traditional healers warn that children should not wash their genitals with contrast water.
• From the age of three, use contrast showers regularly. Popular advice boils down to the fact that the child should get used to such a procedure. This requires the patience of parents.
• From 3 years to 7 Street dousing with water is permitted. Traditional healers and doctors advise reducing the water by one degree and doing the procedure in good, windless weather.
• From first grade It is necessary to pay attention to sports as a method of supporting immunity. Physical exercise at home, in the gym, at the stadium is a condition for maintaining health.

Conclusion. Folk remedies will help maintain a child’s health if they are combined with other necessary conditions for creating comfort, cleanliness, and caring for children. Restoring immunity is more difficult than maintaining it throughout life. Always remember this rule so that your children grow up healthy, strong, and beautiful.

- just a disaster. It’s always hard to watch how your perpetual motion machine turns into a sluggish quiet person who is not interested in toys, treats, or even your favorite cartoons. But, alas, there is no childhood without runny nose, cough and fever.

The child's body has a number of characteristics that predispose to a high risk of morbidity. These are the so-called critical periods of development, when an increasing level of metabolism, aimed at ensuring the intensive growth and weight of the child, leads to a decrease in defense reserves, or, more simply, to a decrease in immunity. Periods of intensive child growth, as a rule, occur between the ages of 4 and 6 years, from 11 to 12 years, and from 16 to 17 years. During these periods, children are likely to get sick more often.

However, boosting a child’s immunity and teaching the child’s body to resist various viruses and infections is within the power of every mother.

It is enough to follow 5 simple rules to achieve what you want. It is important to fulfill two conditions. The maximum effect is guaranteed if:

1. All specified rules are observed simultaneously, which provides a basic setting for the formation of the right lifestyle in the future.
2. Have patience. Increasing immunity is painstaking, long and systematic work. But the result is worth it: the child will get sick less often, and if something happens, he will cope with the illness more easily.

Lydia Matush

It is fundamentally important to start taking care of the child’s health at the planning stage. Stress, poor nutrition, lack of vitamins, sedentary lifestyle, bad habits and even infections that the mother suffered during pregnancy will not have the best effect on her child’s immunity. So, before preparing for conscious parenthood, it makes sense to review key aspects of your lifestyle, get tested for infections and undergo treatment if necessary. A child's immune system develops on average until the age of 6 before it reaches the level of the adult immune system. At an early age - up to 3-4 months - children, as a rule, rarely get sick: their mother’s antibodies still protect their immunity from external infections. Gradually, the amount of maternal antibodies decreases, and the child’s body begins to produce its own antibodies. In simple terms, the ability of these antibodies to recognize and neutralize an infection most often implies the strength of the immune system. You can increase the body's resistance through vaccination and creating appropriate conditions for the life and development of the baby.

Rule one: a nutritious, varied diet is the first step to strengthening the immune system.

If possible, try for at least six months. In this case, all other things being equal, the child’s immunity is supported by immunoglobulins (antibodies) that are in mother’s milk. Colostrum, the very first thick breast milk that contains a large amount of antibodies, has the highest immune effect.

In the future, an important component of the children's menu should be dairy products. Cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk and other fermented milk foods contain probiotics - lacto- and bifidobacteria, which have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora and normalize the digestion process. Daily consumption of fermented milk products has a positive effect on the child’s immune system.

But in consumption of sugar, on the contrary, the baby should be limited. According to experts, excessive sugar consumption reduces the body's ability to fight viruses and germs by 40 percent. And we’re not just talking about candies, chocolate or pure sugar. There is more than enough of it in seemingly harmless juices and the same yoghurts with additives. Therefore, when buying products for the children's table, carefully study the composition and give preference to those that contain minimal or no sugar content. What has no place at all in a child’s diet, especially with a weak immune system, are chips, carbonated drinks and any fast food.

A special place in a child’s diet is given to vegetables and fruits. They are useful in any form, but especially raw. At the same time, you should not chase overseas delights in your desire to diversify your child’s menu. On the contrary, it is generally not recommended to give exotic vegetables, fruits and berries to children under 3 years of age. It is better to put off mangoes, avocados, pomelo, kiwi, pineapples, papaya, citrus fruits and even bananas for a while, but then introduce them into the menu gradually and little by little. Exotic foods can not only be hard on the child’s stomach, but also cause an allergic reaction. So it’s better to minimize the risk and rely on local vegetables and fruits.

If your baby doesn’t have a special love for vegetables and fruits, show your imagination: cut carrots, cucumbers, and beets into funny shapes, and make flowers out of cabbage and lettuce. Make eating vegetables not only healthy, but also fun. Believe me, the result will not be long in coming: the vitamins and minerals contained in vegetables and fruits will significantly strengthen your child’s immunity.

Rule two: healthy sleep increases the body's resistance

Do you know what a sleep-deprived child is? Crying, mood swings, irritability - what lies on the surface. If you look deeper, it turns out that lack of sleep affects not only the child’s mental comfort, but also his overall health. Children who don't get enough sleep regularly are more susceptible to illness. For excellent health, newborns and children up to 6 months need a total of up to 18 hours of good sleep per day, babies up to 1.5 years old - 12-13 hours, children from 2 to 7 years old - at least 10-11 hours.

Of course, all children are different: some are already running out of energy by 8 pm, others cannot be put to sleep even at 11 pm. However, try to ensure an optimal daily routine in which the child does not experience sleep deficiency. You should go to bed and wake up at the same time in the morning. A proper daily routine can significantly strengthen a child's immune system.

Lydia Matush

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Children's Infectious Diseases of BSMU

Parents often overlook one important point: preparing their child for kindergarten. The regime in this sense is almost of paramount importance. Judge for yourself: while the mother is on leave to care for the baby, she, with the best intentions, can allow him to sleep longer: until 9-10 o’clock in the morning. Right up until the very day when it’s time for her to go to work, and for the child to go to kindergarten. Now everyone gets up at 7, or even earlier. Stress? Of course, stress. Such changes in the usual way of life can also affect a decrease in the child’s immunity. In addition to getting enough sleep with a specific schedule, the optimal daily routine for strengthening the immune system also involves walking in the fresh air. And in any weather. At least 2-3 hours! The only exception is children under 10 months - 1 year. They don’t need to be taken out for a walk if the air temperature is below 15 degrees and it’s windy. But even in this case, there is a way out: a daytime nap in a stroller on the balcony, for example.

Rule three: cold water is a friend of the immune system

If you harden a child from birth, his immunity will be much higher. When swaddling or changing a diaper, don't be afraid to hold your newborn for a few minutes without clothes. Gradually increase the time you take air baths, bringing it to 30 minutes a day by six months. When the child grows up, you can move on to more daring procedures, for example, a contrast shower. Its effectiveness lies in the difference in water temperatures. It is the contrast that hardens and has a beneficial effect on improving the immune system and increases the body's resistance. You should start hardening your child, regardless of whether he has a weak or strong immune system, with small temperature changes, watering only the baby’s feet. The duration of the contrast shower is 2-3 minutes.

Lydia Matush

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Children's Infectious Diseases of BSMU

Hardening is not the same as extreme. It is equally irresponsible and even dangerous to plunge a newborn baby into an ice hole or hide it from the slightest breath of wind. The main thing in hardening is gradualness and regularity. Both air baths and washing with cold water are all elements of hardening. They should not be neglected as insignificant. In a certain sense, cold is a friend of the immune system. Rinsing your nose with cold water magically eliminates a runny nose and increases the body's resistance to respiratory infections. And the favorite children's treat - ice cream, if eaten a little at a time, in small pieces - is a great “trainer” for the throat. An important element in hardening is dressing the child according to the weather, without unnecessary wrapping. Many parents, for example, instead of teaching their child to breathe correctly through his nose outside, believe that on a frosty or windy day he should be protected as much as possible from the effects of external temperatures. Therefore, even his face is covered with woolen scarves and scarves so that only his eyes are visible. It is not right! The child breathes, condensation settles on the fibers of the scarf. This ends up making it even colder. Bacteria and viruses do not disappear anywhere when it comes to such protection during the rise of respiratory infections. Their child breathes back in. And if the mother, moreover, does not wash the scarf every day, then the next day she will actually cover the baby’s face with a breeding ground for infections. Even the strongest immunity is not always able to withstand such “care”.

Rule four: physical education lessons for children and adults

Physically active children, and this has been established for certain, get sick less often than their peers, and grow stronger and more resilient. Find an activity for your child that he will like and sign him up for the section. It doesn’t matter what it will be: team sports or dancing, athletics or martial arts, swimming or trampolining, the main thing is that the child’s eyes sparkle and he attends training with pleasure. Make morning exercises an integral part of your child's daily routine. This is one of the basic rules for maintaining and increasing immunity in both children and adults.

By the way, nothing stimulates a child to an active and healthy lifestyle more than the example of his own parents. If you want your baby to grow up healthy, get rid of bad habits yourself. It has been proven that children of smoking mothers and fathers are more likely to suffer from bronchitis, catch infections more easily and are more susceptible to diseases of the nervous system, as they are more susceptible to harmful effects passive smoking. So your own lifestyle directly affects the lifestyle and health of your child.

Lydia Matush

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Children's Infectious Diseases of BSMU

More than once I have seen how parents drive their children in their private cars to kindergarten and school. Of course, now the century is different, and the rhythm of life is more intense, and a car is no longer a luxury, but almost a necessity in both the big city and the countryside. But a person’s needs for movement and physical activity remain the same. Unfortunately, we often deprive ourselves of the opportunity to realize them. When parents complain that the child flatly refuses to do gymnastics in the morning and spends all his free time watching TV or on a tablet, I ask: “Do you do exercises yourself in the morning? How do you spend your leisure time?” And the answer, as a rule, is always obvious. In a family where parents are active, by definition there cannot be passive children. Before demanding that they behave correctly in all senses, it’s a good idea to look at yourself from the outside: children are our reflection. And the example of how we, adults, take care of our own health is much more authoritative than thousands of correct words and instructions from our lips.

Rule five: screaming kills the immune system

Nothing undermines a child's health more than stress. If a baby grows up in an atmosphere of constant quarrels and conflicts, his body loses the ability to resist viruses and bacteria. It has been scientifically proven that a bad mood, feelings of resentment or fear reduce a person’s immunity, while laughter and joy, on the contrary, improve health. For good immunity, it is important for a child to be in a calm psycho-emotional atmosphere at home, in kindergarten or school. So try not to find out your adult problems in front of your child, don’t take out your grievances, fatigue and irritation on him, protect him as much as possible from negative emotions, and he will definitely thank you with a healthy and happy smile.

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