9 Ways to Strengthen Children’s Immune Systems
The innate and adaptive immune systems mature from infancy to adulthood. Over the past century, developed countries have seen infant mortality rate decline significantly, from 140 per 1000 to 7 per 1000. The main reason for this is good nutrition, hygiene and better protection from infections. The immunological T-cell memory develops over time resulting in young adults suffering fewer infections. Infancy and childhood are the most sensitive periods for the immune system. Here are 9 scientifically-proven ways to support a child’s immune system.
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Human Milk is Baby’s First Immunization
A mother’s milk provides antibodies which protect the baby from many common respiratory and intestinal diseases, and also contains living immune cells. First milk, Colostrum, is packed with components which increase immunity and protect the newborn’s intestines. Artificially fed babies have higher rates of middle ear infections, pneumonia, and cases of gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Breastfeeding as an infant also provides protection from developing immune system cancers such as lymphoma, bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and celiac sprue, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, all of which are related to immune system function. Breastfed babies generally mount a more effective response to childhood immunizations. In all these cases, benefits begin immediately, and improve with increased duration of breastfeeding.
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9 Ways to Strengthen Children’s Immune Systems
The immune system is not one single entity - it's a complex interconnected system that evolves as we age. Apart from fighting viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, the immune system also plays an important role in tissue repair - wound healing, elimination of dead cells, and formation of gut microbiota. In babies, the immune system is fragile and still developing for the first 3 months of life. Fortunately, nature designed us so that antibodies flood a baby’s system straight after birth to provide protection from infection.
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