- The baby's immune system: progressive protection
- 5 things to boost your baby's immune system
- Support from natural medicines
- Post-partum: how can you protect and strengthen your immune system?
- Focus on cuddle therapy!
It's cold and damp, and night is falling fast... It's a time of stubborn germs and sudden bouts of fatigue. Bronchiolitis, colds, ear infections and gastroenteritis are all too often on the children's agenda, while parents have just as hard time coping with the flu, a cold or sinusitis. Fortunately, the bacterial waltz is short-lived, and a number of simple, natural tips can help boost the immunity of babies, children and you.
The baby's immune system: progressive protection
The immune system protects the body and keeps it healthy. To do this, it uses several successive lines of defense against harmful microbes and viruses.
- Innate immunity (also known as congenital immunity), present from birth, is the body's first line of defense. It revolves around the skin and mucous membranes, the inflammatory response and the cells responsible for phagocytosis (destruction of foreign bodies),
- Acquired immunity (also known as adaptive immunity) is the body's second, deepest defence. It is gradually built up during the first years of childhood, thanks to the development of immune defenses (T lymphocytes) and specific antibodies (B lymphocytes), which enable the body to become more resistant.
At what age can baby enjoy full immunity?
At birth, the baby's immune system exists, but it is immature. Throughout pregnancy, the placenta has transmitted antibodies to the baby , in particular immunoglobulin G, whose role is to fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections. This is known aspassive immunity, and protects the baby during the first months of life.
After birth,breastfeeding maintains regular and effective transmission of maternal antibodies, immunoglobulins A, M and G. For their part, infant milks contain vitamins and nutrients which help to ensure a well-functioning immune system and a healthy intestinal microbiota.
As colds and fever flare-ups go,a child's immune system is not complete and effective until around the age of five. During this period, thanks to the memory of the immune system, certain illnesses can no longer be contracted - the child will be immune - while vaccines and a healthy lifestyle will provide additional insurance against disease.
Since 2001, theWHO has been recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, and continued breastfeeding alongside dietary diversification up to the age of 2 or more. This is because breast milk is rich in antibodies. On a day-to-day basis, breastfeeding or breast pumping therefore promotes babies' good health.
5 things to boost your baby's immune system
Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, in addition to feedings and feeds bottles of milk drunk every dayGood habits and a healthy lifestyle can considerably boost your baby's immunity. L'power supply is the cornerstone of a high-performance immune system. Firstly, through lmaternal ait or thanks to a powdered milk then through the dietary diversification From around 6 months, food, whether solid or liquid, provides your baby with the vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed for good health. And did you know that the Elhée bibROND will accompany you, whatever type of food your baby consumes? From a bottle for milk and water, it transforms into a little jar of compote or purée!An up-to-date vaccination record is another way for you to support the proper functioning of your baby's immune system. By exposing the body to a low-dose pathogen (measles, mumps, rubella, etc.), the vaccine helps the body to recognize it and develop the necessary antibodies.
Support from natural medicines
As traditional and ancestral medicines have demonstrated for centuries, health is in the plants. For your baby too, it's possible to use their benefits as an immunity booster.
The plants
Aromatherapy offers a wide range ofessential oils and hydrolats, while phytotherapy focuses on plants prepared in herbal teasand decoctions. Homeopathy uses various dilutions of plant, mineral and, more rarely, animal strains to prepare granules.
- For babies
essential oils must be used with caution and are strictly forbidden before the age of 3 months. For diffusion or massage, incorporated into a vegetable oil (sweet almond, apricot, avocado, etc.), linalool or thujanol thyme, true and fine lavender or eucalyptus radiata, tea tree or ravintsara can be beneficial from the first cold days.
hydrolats can be diluted in the bath, sprayed or applied to the skin with a cotton pad. Linalool or thujanol thymes are also used here.
herbal teas can be given in warm or cold bottles, from 6 months of age and, in some cases, even during breastfeeding to share the benefits between mother and child.
Homeopathy can generally be used from birth on medical advice. Among the best-known remedies, echinacea angustifolia helps boost the immune system throughout the winter.
- For children
The essential oils authorized for children aged 3 to 6 are more numerous. Ginger and myrtle, for example, are added to the other plants to help your child stay healthy.
hydrolats can be used orally from age 3. For example, savory, myrtle or geranium floral waters can be taken diluted in a little water.
Probiotics
Probiotics are actually live bacteria, naturally present in certain foods such as fermented yoghurt, pickles or raw sauerkraut, but also in medicines and dietary supplements. They contribute to the body's good health and maintain the balance of intestinal florawhich has a direct impact on digestion and immune function. Probiotics can therefore be useful during dietary changes, after gastroenteritis or after taking antibiotics.Do you know what the intestinal microbiota is? With nearly 10 billion bacteria, fungi and yeasts, it naturally populates our intestines. Also known as intestinal flora, the microbiota is formed from birth, accompanies food digestion, protects the entire digestive system and helps the immune system to develop and function properly. As a "second brain", the intestine and the microbiota it harbors are also thought to have an impact on mood and stress levels.
Post-partum: how can you protect and strengthen your immune system?
To pamper yourself and naturally reinforce your protection against winter ailments, apply the same recommendations as for your child. Massages with essential oils, protective herbal teas or targeted homeopathywhile keeping these three pillars in mind. Eating well : l'food is your first medicine. By offering yourself a varied plate of colorful meat, fish, vegetables or fruit every day, you can ensure better health.
Superfoods that do you good
Whether it's a question of boosting your baby's immunity or your own, eating well is one of the first keys to be exploited. And there are a few superfoods you should always have on hand to boost your baby's defenses:So think of yourself, pamper yourself and take care of yourself. Sleep through your baby's naps, read an exciting novel, have a massage (your feet feel so good!) or just let your thoughts flow. Wellness is part of the solution to supporting your immunity.
Focus on cuddle therapy!
Everyone needs hugs. The various #freehugs campaigns bear witness to this.
- The cuddling is good for morale : cuddling and being cuddled releases oxytocin, the love hormone, endorphin, the feel-good hormone, and dopamine, the pleasure hormone.
- Hugs boost self-confidence.
- Cuddling lowersstress and anxiety levels which in turn can lower immunity.
- Cuddling helps boost the immune system.
If the soothing effect is immediately visible when you cuddle your baby, scientific data supports the fact that tenderness reduces the symptoms of illness. And why? Because cuddling connects people and acts as a natural form of "prevention" against certain bacteria.
