*This series is intended to help bring ideas to support food education, and wellness in families; it is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure diseases. Please always consult your practitioners if you have questions or concerns.
Article 2 of 4:
Let’s Boost These Immune Systems!
It’s that time of year, school season, and nothing says “Welcome Back to School” than the school crud, also known as, whatever germs are going around. Kids might as well lick the bottom of their shoes. What comes with a bunch of children being back in the classroom and in close proximity to one another? Being exposed to new children and new germs, you can expect the first couple weeks of school to be filled with sneezes, sniffles, coughs and maybe a fever or two. But illness knows no bounds, and our littlest ones, who aren’t even in a school setting, are also vulnerable as siblings share these lovely germs. In fact, from the time children are born, they can have up to eight colds before their first birthday. Mamas – have no fear – colds and fevers can be a good thing, a sign that you child’s immune system is kicking in and responding to “foreign invaders.” There is a lot that can be done to help build those little immune systems and keep them strong while also alleviating some of the more intense symptoms.
To keep this post from being overly complicated, I want to keep things focused on supplements you can use to help boost immune systems and provide our children with the best defense to some of the more common germs. Here are some basic thoughts to lay a foundation, I have always felt if you are eating a balanced diet than multivitamins aren’t necessary. Food is your best source of nutrients, and you should be getting what your body needs through your food. When it comes to children, I stand by this same rule. Some of you may be thinking to yourself “but I have a picky eater,” while that may be true, so many foods we feed our children these days are fortified with important nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin D and iron, there is no cause for stress. This post isn’t about deficiencies in the vitamins and nutrients in your children’s everyday diet. This is to provide a guide of supplements that are immune boosting and will support an already healthy lifestyle.
I am particular about the supplements I use and I only buy supplements from brands that are typically organic, have full transparency, and provide sourcing information. Some brands are a little more on the expensive side, but to be honest, I feel with consistency these keep my family healthy and out of the doctor’s office, where I could be spending more money. You must do what is right for you and your family, so there are always options when it comes to the list. Do your research or reach out to the brands with questions or concerns. I have found most are willing to take calls and answer questions regarding their products and practices.
Here is the list of supplements that keeps my household healthy and a few things about them:
- Probiotics:
- Probiotics are a live bacteria that promote a healthy gut and digestive system. The healthy bacteria aid the absorption of nutrients and proper digestion. Keeping the gut full of healthy bacteria enhances the body’s immune system.
- Probiotics can be a proactive approach to supporting your child’s health.
- I have given my children probiotics since they were 3 months of age. Today, my typical routine is to make their water bottles in the morning and I add probiotic and zinc. It has no taste, and it gives me a sense of relief knowing I have added this layer of protection to their daily routine.
My brand of choice – Flora Toddler’s Probiotic
Vitamin D:
- Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin (meaning you need a fat to help the absorption of this supplement).
- Vitamin D is also a hormone our body makes.
- Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and can be obtained from brief sun exposure; however, since sun exposure isn’t recommended for babies, a liquid supplement is the best way to ensure your baby is getting enough of this nutrient.
- Even if breastfeeding, research is still emerging on how much Vitamin D may pass through the milk, it is still recommended to prove a supplement due to common deficiencies in Vitamin D.
- Almost half of the population is Vitamin D deficient. In my opinion, Vitamin D is a huge immune booster. When I see signs of sickness approaching in myself or my children, I immediately double my Vitamin D dosage.
My brand of choice – Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3
- Zinc:
- An essential mineral that is necessary to our health. It supports the work of numerous systems in the body; however, our bodies are unable to synthesize it.
- Zinc helps support immune function and metabolism function.
- Zinc is a supplement which can be added to your daily routine year-round.
My brand of choice: Mary Ruth’s Liquid Ionic Zinc
- Omega-3:
- Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that helps your immune system, heart and lungs function optimally.
- Our bodies are unable to synthesize this essential fatty acid, so it is crucial that we obtain this through food or supplement.
My brand of choice: Nordic Omega-3 Fishies
- Elderberry Syrup:
- Elderberry is full of antioxidants and vitamins that can support your immune system.
- It has been known to ease cold and flu symptoms.
- As soon as I see signs and symptoms of illness approaching, I immediately start offering a teaspoon of this to my girls every 4-6 hours to support their immune system.
My brand of choice: The Elderberry Co.
- Boiron Cold Calm Baby – similar to Oscillococcinum for adults
- This is great for the first sign of cold symptoms. As soon as I hear that first sneeze, I am snapping the top off of one of these single dose of liquid coldcalm.
- It helps to temporary relieve cold symptoms in young children.
My brand of choice: Boiron Cold Calm Baby
Here are some of my other favorite, reliable supplement brands. Note, most of these brands offer Prenatal, Postnatal, and adult options. Most also have subscription options so you can get all of the supplements your family needs at once and have them set up to automatically deliver on a cadence that is right for you.
https://www.gaiaherbs.com/products/black-elderberry-syrup
http://www.spectrumorganics.com/product/prenatal-dha-capsules/
https://www.nordicnaturals.com/consumers/mommy-me-pack
https://www.maryruthorganics.com/collections/back-to-school
I also really love giving my littles tea to help ease some of their cold symptoms. Typically. I will make a honey, lemon, ginger mix and then pour boiling water over that to let it steep. I recently came across a small mom-owned business called Little Rituals. We have the Organic Super Immunity Booster Elderberry Echinacea Tea for kids and my girls love it. We’ve been having lots of tea parties with this tea as of late in hopes to keep that immune system fighting hard!
Hang in there friends! These seasons come and go but setting a good foundation and keeping immune systems strong will help your kids bounce back faster from illness. Good Luck!
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