8 Ways To Naturally Boost Your Child’s Immune System

What are the signs of a week immune system in children

If you are searching for how to boost a child's immune system, you are probably concerned about some aspects of your child’s overall health. It’s always a good idea to be proactive in supporting your child’s immune system no matter what, but especially so if they are experiencing any of these following signs:

1. Recurring or frequent infections and illnesses – most commonly respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus or ear infections. 
2. Digestive issues like changes in appetite or stool, as well as physical pain or discomfort in the stomach like cramping or nausea. 
3. Blood and Autoimmune disorders such as anemia, diabetes, lupus, or arthritis

Delays in your child’s growth and development may trace back to a weakened immune system, and while it may not be the cure all for certain conditions, it certainly doesn’t hurt to start building that immunity back up so they can regain their strength, energy, and overall quality of life. 

What Causes a Weak Immune System in Toddlers and Children? 

1.Diet

The things kids eat have a huge impact on their health and development, whether positive or negative. If your child consumes large amounts of sugars and fried foods compared to fresh foods, their immune system may be repressed, as well as lacking in the nutrients it needs to protect their immunity. 

2. Sleep

Probably the most basic proponent is the child’s sleep. If they aren’t getting enough hours of restful sleep or have an inconsistent sleep schedule, their body may not be recovering well from the exposures and stresses they experience during the day, let alone building defenses against such things. 

3. Stress

Children in high stress environments may be more likely to have troubled immune function. You may want to consider how your child is experiencing hobbies, school, social life, and family life, to determine if there are any pressing stressors. If your child is experiencing high levels of stress, this will affect their immune system by producing an inadequate amount of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or toxins. 

4. The Great Indoors

Finally, as backwards as it sounds, your child may not be getting enough exposure. It has become more and more common for children and toddlers to spend more time indoors due to the lifestyle norms in today’s society. This lack of exposure to the outside world may cause their bodies to be unfamiliar with – and therefore unprepared to handle – basic germs or life experiences they may come across when they do go out.

How to Boost a Kids Immune System

1. Avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary

Antibiotics are prescribed more than 154 million times a year for anything from a wound to an ear infection. The purpose of antibiotics is to kill off bacteria causing infections, and sometimes they are lifesaving, for sure. However, the CDC estimates that at least 30 percent of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary. This matters because antibiotics not only wipe out pathogenic bacteria, but deplete the beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. Why kill off the good guys when it’s not necessary?

If a doctor prescribes your child (or you) antibiotics, don’t just accept the prescription without asking a few questions. How necessary are these antibiotics? How likely is it that your child’s natural immunity will take care of the problem without the medicine? Are there more natural anti-bacterial options? Doctors focused on natural health sometimes recommend alternatives such as colloidal silver over antibiotics, to boost the immune system in kids without depleting the microbiome.

2. Serve more probiotic-rich foods

When considering how to boost a child’s immune system at the start of a new school year, a great place to start is building up good gut bacteria and providing immune support for your kids. One great way to do this is to serve more probiotic-rich foods to the whole family. Starting in the summer, offer fermented foods like sauerkraut or kefir (which comes in lots of flavors that your kid will, fingers crossed, love), or plant-based (unsweetened) yogurts mixed with fresh chopped or pureed fruit. If you have an extra picky eater, you could try kid-friendly probiotic gummies, for a painless dose of immune-boosting good bacteria. Some brands do contain sugar, though, so stick with whole food probiotic sources as much as possible.

For more information on great probiotic food options read Our Current Healthy Obsessions: Probiotic-rich Foods

3. Regulate the family sleep schedule before the first day of school

As the sun stays up late and schedules are unpredictable, summer can be a difficult time to establish a regular bedtime. Establishing a sleep schedule with a set bedtime and wake time can make a big difference in the ability to avoid the fall and winter sniffles. That means no more sleeping in or staying up late. Most children need between 10 and 14 hours (1) of uninterrupted sleep every day to be optimally healthy, so starting this sooner rather than later will make going back to school less of a struggle and a physical shock to the system. That means those little bodies will be better prepared to fight off any germs that come their way. A good night's sleep is a great immune support for kids and an important routine rix going into the winter months.

4. Out with the sugar, in with the fruit

Summer, kids, and sugar seem to be an unavoidable combination, between pool parties, BBQs, and summer camps. However, sugar has been shown to alter the microbiome in some pretty extreme ways,  feeding the more pathogenic sugar-loving bacteria, which can crowd out beneficial, immune-boosting bacteria. Give your child’s microbiome a boost by sending them to school with fruit instead of snack cakes and candy, or at least sweets made with natural sweeteners like stevia (so they don’t feel left out of the fun). At home, have fruit rich with vitamin C and antioxidants for dessert, like oranges and blueberries.

5. Give them a colostrum boost (yes, really)

Breastfed children are often healthier with fewer allergies, due to the protective, immune-boosting antibodies found in colostrum—the “first milk” produced from nursing moms. But older kids (and adults) can benefit from this antibody-rich substance from grass-fed cows and goats, available in a handy powdered form. Sneak it into smoothies, water, juices, and even kefir. They won’t know they’re getting an extra dose of super immune power, but you will! It works as a great immune booster for toddlers and kids.

6. Show them the door

Summer is a time for outdoor play, but that doesn’t have to start just because school started. Encourage your kids to be outside as much as possible all year round, not only for the exercise and fresh air but for the “sunshine vitamin,” aka vitamin D. The body absorbs sunlight using cholesterol to convert it to a usable form of vitamin D, and every single cell in your body requires vitamin D—your immune system in particular. However, because we don’t get enough outdoor time, most of us are deficient (vitamin D is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in America), and low levels are linked to autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disorders. Optimal levels have been shown to improve symptoms of these conditions by helping increase white blood cells, which are the defenders of your immune system. When school starts, family walks, outdoor games, and dinners al fresco are good ways to keep the vitamin D flowing.

7. Green up your meals

Of course we all know we should eat our greens, but do you know why? One good reason is methylation. Methylation is a biochemical process that happens throughout the body with many important functions, including detoxification. Sulfur-rich vegetables like brussels sprouts and broccoli, as well as dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, are loaded with the B-vitamins that fuel methylation and can help to power up your child’s ability to safely process and eliminate everything from pollution to chemical exposure.

And what about those kids who stubbornly refuse to gobble up veggies? Try making green smoothies and popsicles with just a little fruit for sweetness. They’ll be getting a sweet treat, and you’ll be getting the satisfaction of knowing they are strengthening their immunity and natural resilience.

8. Experiment with essential oils

These fun and easy immune-boosters for toddlers and kids, like eucalyptus and oregano, have been shown to have antibacterial and immune-modulating capabilities. Try diffusing them into your indoor environment to support the whole family’s immunity. Eucalyptus (2) has an energizing effect, and food-grade oregano (3) essential oil can be added to meals to enhance flavor, as well as your child’s immune system.

For more information on great immune boosters read Our Current Healthy Obsessions: Immune Boosters

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