What To Do When Your Kids Keep Getting Sick – How to Boost their Immunity Naturally
Do your kids keep getting sick? Here are 10 tried and tested ways I keep my children healthy naturally. In this post, I talk about ways to boost children’s immunity naturally and also how to set it into their daily routine so that they practice being healthy everyday.
My children are in primary and middle grades now but, growing up they were all delicate little things.
They are very active, really good at studies too, but come flu season or sandstorm, my kids catch the cold even before someone sneezes in the room. We try extra hard to ensure that the children follow proper care in and outside the home but as their mother, I do worry of kids being sick by negligence.
Related reading: Keep your Family Healthy in Sandstorm Season
Why do my kids keep getting sick?
Have you ever been told by a family or friend that you should give your children vitamins or supplements because your child seemed delicate?
Yep, me too.
When my children were in kindergarten, they were always catching colds. Since they are all very close in age, I found that if one child caught a bug and brought it home, we would all fall sick – one after the other.
Every time this happened, my mother or my in-laws would tell me that I should take better care of my children.
Give them some supplements… feed this/that, cover their ears when out and about… so much advice!
The thing is vitamins and supplements don’t prevent colds and infections. Yes, they do help build up your child’s immune system but that’s not all they need.
The main reason your child is getting all those infections is that he or she is being exposed to new viruses all the time.
The viruses are everywhere no matter how much you sanitize and clean. There are at least 200 different cold viruses and they’re getting tricky, mutating all the time. In a way, when a child catches a cold, he is building his immune system up.
It took me three children graduating from Kindergarten to understand that kids under the age of six are still building their immune system so they do fall sick often.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I can’t to anything about it… there are a few things that I can do at home to ensure that they keep healthy.
First of all, healthy routines and habits, make a world of difference in children.
As they grow up, these habits become a way they function. Whether it is about training your child to choose healthy food or washing his hands, healthy habits will help our children practice healthy living for life.
Related reading: Sample Routines for School children or Schedule for Toddlers
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Below I am listing 10 things that are natural and very effective in helping boost the immune system. Just by being a little conscious, we can help our children be stronger from the inside.
What to do when your kids keep getting sick
The best way to boost your child’s immune system is to ensure that they are eating healthy, getting enough rest and are active. A child who is plopped up on a couch with a gaming console in hand munching away at whatever he fancies, will no doubt grow up to be a couch potato.
No amount of vitamins or supplements (even herbal ones!) can help your child if he is filling himself with foods that have zero nutritious value. The first step to support your family’s health is to offer them, healthy home made food.
Related reading: How to save time in the kitchen when you have little babies.
But… germs are all around so we have to support their immune system by taking precautions and offering a little extra too. Here are 10 ways I help my children stay healthy.
1. Hand Washing
Have you noticed how during the summer, kids hardly fall sick but as soon as school starts, they start sniffling?
It is true that schools start in Fall when the weather changes but … where are those germs really coming from?
Yes, from outside! From the air, from surfaces, shaking hands and tumbling around everywhere… when one kid falls sick, you can bet the rest will follow. So, it is a good idea to ‘wash’ off those germs before they spread!
Make it a rule that children (and adults!) wash their hands as soon as they get home. Whether it is from school, the park, a shopping trip or even mere running next door to the neighbors. Get them in the habit of washing their hands every time they come from outside. Remind them to wash their hands before meals and snacks too.
Update 2020: We are locked in due to Coronavirus pandemic and practicing hand washing!! Well hello there hand washing!! See my COVID19 Resources for Moms here.
I know how we mothers seem like we are nagging all the time but, you don’t have to sound like that. Just a cheerful ‘What do we do before we eat..?‘ is enough. In time, they will remember to do it themselves.
Please note: Gel hand sanitizers cause more harm than good. It has become a culture at schools and around town to pump a few drops and rub that ‘alcohol’ on your palms. Do you really think a drop or two can kill 99% germs on your hands? 🙂
2. Shower every day
Shower Photo by Laura Marques on Unsplash
While we are on the topic of cleanliness, let me confess that I swear by showers and quick baths during every season! It has been proven by research that a quick shower everyday can actually improve your immune system.
Children and adults who bathe or shower everyday fight off infections faster. They are more alert, make good fat, it increases their circulation so showering helps them relax and calm down.
In my culture, babies are massaged and bathed every day so that they are stronger. Here in Saudi Arabia, I find that kids fall sick because of less humidity in the air. We are in ACs all day and hardly get any sunlight or fresh air. Whenever my kids catch a cold or persistent cough, a warm bath before bed or a quick shower helped improve their condition.
If you are essential oils person, you must know about Magnesium baths. We all lack in Magnesium. I love the idea of adding Magnesium salts to baths. There are many benefits of it.
3. Yoghurt – probiotics.
Photo by Alison Marras on Unsplash
I come from a culture where people think it is good luck to begin the day with yoghurt. That may be superstitious but it is no secret that probiotics boost your immune system.
Probiotics don’t just support your tummy health but help in strengthening the flora in your gut as well, which in turn helps you fight infections. So… at least a spoonful or two of yoghurt with or without fruit, is a great start to the day. Some easy ways to present them to kids is through fruited yoghurts, smoothies, in cereal or even as it is.
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4. Orange juice
Vitamin C is the best way to fight colds. I know how hard it is for kids to eat a whole orange but orange juice is so easy and tasty to gulp down. The fibre in oranges helps aid your child’s digestion as well. A glass of orange juice after a high protein meal is a good way to absorb the iron from it.
Constipation causes lots of ailments in not just kids but adults as well. Runny nose, cough, indigestion related sleep trouble, potty training hurdles… I have fought all of these with orange juice. No kidding.
If your child is less than one year old, or dislikes the taste of oranges (I had one toddler like that!) mix half and half with water. Some children are very sensitive- the citrus can irritate their stomach lining. So if you find them getting loose motions or they are fussy, it is a good idea to stop completely.
It is a routine in my home to offer orange juice with lunch because that’s when they have the main protein meal of the day. Orange juice helps with absorbing the iron in their meal too.
5. Take them out to play.
Children who run and jump wild in fresh air are less likely to develop respiratory ailments. Let them exercise those muscles and fill their lungs with fresh air.
Every Friday morning, we load the kids and head to the beach. It is a great way to start the weekend relaxing and energizing as a family.
6. Adequate Sleep and rest
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Let them sleep on time and get a good night sleep. Most kids drop their naps well before they hit preschool but it is very important that they nap for at least 45 minutes through the day. It refreshes their mind and helps them concentrate on play and studies.
As toddlers grow up, they drop their afternoon or long nap for the day. I have found that it is best to replace the afternoon nap with quiet time. I have trained my children to sit quietly with a book or listen to a story laying in bed for 1- 2 hours each afternoon. We find this highly beneficial for them.
If you find that they will not sleep or rest during the day, then send them to bed early. Make sure they are sleeping the required hours for their age.
7. Give them proteins…
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Chicken soup for the soul… you know? Not just chicken and meat (sorry if your are veg!) but in general proteins are a great way to fight infections. Proteins provide long lasting energy.
When you give your child a high protein breakfast followed by a protein snack for school, he will come home with more energy to play with you. I have tested this with three kindergartners.
A child who has enough energy when he comes home will eat that lunch you made him. He can carry on for the rest of the afternoon and then evening till bedtime. As I said before energized kids are better at fighting germs.
Need examples of proteins for kids? Try chick peas, bulgur wheat, pulses/dals, Tofu, green peas… are great options for those who prefer a veg diet. This post has some good examples at the end.
8. Wash beddings and curtains often
Photo by Nik Lanús on Unsplash
Kids rooms are messy places. They jump on their beds, sometimes they sneak snacks in there and then those toys and soft cuddlies… they are all places for germs to hide. Wash the bedding and curtains often. Give those toys a tumble too.
If your child is prone to frequent cough, get rid of those cushions, rugs and soft toys. My eldest had bronchitis for years until we realized it was his lovey blanket and soft teddy bear that was always with him. I did wash it often but mink blankets are really not good, you know.
9. Turmeric – the natural antibiotic.
The benefits of Turmeric are many. Again this is from my culture- a glass of warm milk with a pinch of turmeric, does wonders to your immune system. It is a tradition in the Indian sub-continent to drink turmeric milk at bedtime in winter. I have found this to be so helpful with colds.
Turmeric only dissolves in fats so boil the milk, add a pinch of turmeric and stir well. Let your child drink the warm yellow milk before bed.
You can also try raw Turmeric. It looks a lot like ginger but is orange in color. I make a concoction by grating a teaspoon of ginger, a teaspoon of raw turmeric, a small stick of cinnamon, 4-5 peppercorns, seeds from 4 cardamoms in hot milk. Let it all simmer for 5-10 minutes. Cool and serve. You can add honey to it but make sure the milk has cooled down. It tastes warm and soothing- perfect for a winters.
10. Hug them.
Photo by Vincent Delegge on Unsplash
Because research proves that kids who are held longer and hugged often have a stronger immune system.
I let my kids crawl into my bed at night. Through the day, they are rubbing against me or cuddling while I read or work. Four kids later, I have learnt that they will not always want me this way. My eldest is 11 years old. He already thinks he is a big boy.
People need at least 3 touches during the day to be healthy and stress free. Even adults need those hugs. My experience is that when my kids get lots of physical touches like when I am squeezing their shoulders, tickling, pecking light kisses on cheek before school or brushing their hair with my fingers while they sit next to me, they are the happiest. They feel loved, cared, confident and carefree. Happy children fight germs more effectively.
Did you hug your child today? Do it again.
These are 10 natural ways to boost your kid’s immunity. I’d love to hear your views on the topic. <3
