As summer winds down, parents and kids start turning their attention to school. During all those back-to-school preparations, did you remember to prepare your child’s immune system? Fall is also the start of the regular cold & flu season, and all the sniffling, sneezing, and coughing that goes with it. All these things can put our immune systems to the test, but there are things you can do to enhance your body’s immune response.
Off to a Strong Start
It’s important to remember that a child’s immune system is still developing and is not the same as an adult’s. The immune system strengthens over time. During the first few months of life, an infant relies partly on the mother’s antibodies. We see that babies often get infections that are uncommon in adults and can react differently to vaccines. It isn’t until a child is about five years old that they are able to make effective antibodies against certain antigens. A child’s immune system won’t resemble an adult’s until he or she reaches puberty.
That’s why it’s so important to teach our kids good habits now that support their developing immune systems and overall health. Continue reading “Keeping Kids Healthy: Building Immunity Through Nutrition”