It’s wintertime and your home is overrun with coughs and colds! Let’s face it, every parent has experienced a winter like this. This time of year can feel like a never-ending merry-go-round of nasty bugs. Juggling poorly children and other life responsibilities can be extremely difficult for parents. But there is hope! There’s lots you can do as a parent to support your child’s immune system.
Let’s explore 5 ways to support your child’s health this winter:
1. Take a synbiotic
A synbiotic is a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. Our Kefir and Complete Prebiotic act in unison to support a healthy and diverse gut microbiome. Kefir will replenish the gut with beneficial microbes and our Complete Prebiotic will feed the microbes with the fuel they need to thrive. Kefir actively supports digestion, skin, and the immune system. Did you know kefir also has anti-microbial properties? Perfect for keeping pathogens at bay!
Remember – 70% of the immune system is in the gut! For optimal immune function, you need to support your gut health.
Chuckling Goat Kefir is suitable for children 6 months + and our Complete Prebiotic is suitable for children aged 4 years+.
2. A diet rich in micronutrients
What are micronutrients, I hear you ask? Micronutrients refer to the diverse range of vitamins and minerals. The immune system relies on various micronutrients for optimal function. Opting for a diet rich in real foods and low in processed foods will support a good intake of these all-important micronutrients.
Here is a list of foods to consume that are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals:
- Unprocessed animal products
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Whole grains
- Beans
- Lentils
- Herbs and spices
School-age children often have one meal at school. However, parents can focus on nourishing breakfasts, snacks, and evening meals to support their children’s health.
Here are some delicious recipes for you and your family to try:
- 5 minute blueberry French toast!
- Family-friendly Lentil Bolognese
- Date & fib prebiotic energy balls
- Chocolate Chip Millet Pancakes
- Blueberry muffin synbiotic smoothie – Lower the amount of kefir and Complete Prebiotic to the recommended dose for your child.
Remember, kids love to cook, too, so get them involved!
3. Prioritise sleep
Children need adequate sleep to support their immune system and overall health. Parents may face bedtime difficulties with little ones, which results in less sleep. Try to incorporate a healthy bedtime routine to support relaxation and a good night’s rest.
A soothing bed time routine could include the following:
- Limit screen time before bed. Studies have found a link between screen use and insufficient sleep time.1https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9584513/
- A warm bath with our Calm-Down Goats Milk Soap followed by a massage with our Calm-Down Kefir Lotion. Our Calm-Down skincare range contains lavender to support relaxation. Our Calm-Down range is suitable for children 3 years+.
- A warm drink and a chat about their day. Being your child’s safe space is really important! This allows them to feel comfortable offloading and sharing what happened in their day.
- Reduce light and make their bedroom cosy. A night light can be helpful here.
- A bedtime story and a cuddle.
4. Exercise
Regular physical activity can support optimal immune function2https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-exercise-boost-immune-system#benefits-for-immunity and improve sleep.3https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-exercise-boost-immune-system#benefits-for-immunity This can help to counteract the harmful implications lack of sleep can have on the immune system. Making exercise a no-brainer! Allow your child to explore various types of exercise; this will help them find an exercise they really love and enjoy.
5. Hand hygiene
Hand washing can be a battle with little ones, but it is an important practice when it comes to germs and bacteria. Explaining the importance of handwashing to children, especially after using the toilet and before eating, can help them understand and develop this important habit.
Here are 2 simple ways to encourage your little ones to wash their hands:
- Use a handwashing song – there are lots of songs to encourage proper handwashing; it also makes it so much more fun! YouTube Kids is a great resource to find a catchy song or video.
- Use nice smelling soaps – we have a range of natural Probiotic Goats Milk Soaps that smell lovely. There’s a scent to suit everyone, even little ones! Our soaps are suitable for children age 3+. Please note, the Break-Out soap is only suitable for children 12 years+ due to the essential oils used.
For more information on supporting family health, check out Support your children’s well-being: back to school edition and 5 habits to increase family connection
Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays 8am to 8pm.
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