Protecting Toddlers From Winter Illnesses

Boosting Immunity and Preventing Colds and Flu

Nov 1, 2008

During winter, toddlers are particularly susceptible to colds and flu. There are many ways to improve their immunity naturally, including diet, hygiene, and supplements.

There's nothing like a persistent run of colds or flu to make getting through the winter with a toddler a difficult experience. Fortunately there are ways to boost their immunity and prevent them from catching every bug that comes along.

Good Hygiene Prevents Illness

Help your toddler to wash hands after handling other children's toys, for example at playgroups, or when he hashad contact with other children. Use spray-on hand sanitizers for car trips and after going to supermarkets or malls. Avoid spending too much time in warm enclosed environments such as soft play centres. Wrap up warmly and try to get out in the fresh air and play whenever possible.

Breastfeeding Toddlers Boosts Immunity

Toddlers still benefit from the antibodies present in breastmilk, so continuing to breastfeed is a good protection from illness. Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses, and when they are ill, they get well faster than their non-nursing peers, according to EE Gulick in "The Effects of Breastfeeding on Toddler Health" (Pediatric Nursing, Jan-Feb,1986).

Nutritional Diet for Toddlers

A healthy balanced diet is as important as ever, but particularly during winter when the immune system is easily compromised. Offer small amounts of food frequently throughout the day rather than concentrating on large meals, making it easier for a toddler's small stomach to absorb what they need. Fruit and vegetables provide essential nutrients for immunity, but also remember to include full-fat dairy products and oily fish, says Annabel Karmel in New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner [Eddison Sadd Editions, 2004].

Help the Gut With Probiotics

Probiotics such as Acidophilus can help the "healthy bacteria" in the gut work well, thus balancing the pH of the stomach and making it less susceptible to bugs. Probiotics can be found in natural yogurt and yogurt drinks, and also in the form of supplements.

Emotional Health Helps Physical Health

According to the science of psychoneuroimmunology, explored in Robert Ader's recent book Psychoneuroimmunology [Elsevier/Academic Press, 2007], there is a strong link between emotions and the immune system. Avoid known stressors as much as possible, and try to take time to relax with your toddler and pursue activities you enjoy together. The festive season can be a stressful time and young children are susceptible to picking this up from the adults around them. Include a good balance between rest and activity in your family life.

Supplements For Boosting Immunity

Echinacea - Also known as the purple coneflower. Studies have shown echinacea to be helpful in preventing and treating colds. However, it should not be taken for more than 8 weeks at a time, and rotated with other supplements to boost the immune system.

Cod Liver Oil - This is a good source of Vitamin A, which is crucial to immunity.

With the help of a few precautionary measures, colds and flu need not be a problem for your toddler this winter, or at the very least, he or she can bounce back from illness a lot faster.

The copyright of the article Protecting Toddlers From Winter Illnesses in Infant & Toddler Health is owned by Hayley Nichols. Permission to republish Protecting Toddlers From Winter Illnesses in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.