A few months ago, when the daily “Normal” felt like we were living the same day every day, no one would have imagined to have themselves in a position where the old Normal would feel somewhat “taken for granted.”
If you are someone who never starts the New Year without a planner then it’s quite the possibility that you see the past 5 months as a total waste. However, with all the uncertainties across the world due to Covid-19, get ready to do some intense planning, especially if you are a parent.
Well, a couple of months ago, Roses were red, Violets were blue, there was peace in the household with the little ones in School.
With the comical aspect aside, kids do spread joy and laughter in homes (and bread crumbs in the kitchen because they learned a new lesson about helping parents with their daily chores).
These little ones can sure sometimes be a handful but we cannot take away from the fact that they do need activities to keep themselves entertained. Although, with fear surrounding the world, there’s no way they can resume their outdoor activities anytime soon, however important those may be.
As a parent, it’s quite understandable that you may have your own inhibitions and grieves for not having a safe world designed for your kids to grow normally, feel safe, and bask in the glory of childhood.
While there is the fear of exposing the child to the virus, there are also apprehensions regarding raising children with the fear of brand-new viruses invading the globe every now and then.
However, the one thing that everybody is stressing upon these days is to keep the immune system healthy which is what will prove to be favouring when fighting illnesses of all kinds. But how do you make sure that your child’s immunity stays intact?
Putting on a brave front in the face of the new challenges for the sake of your child’s safety
Immunity plays a key role when bad bacteria enters the body, that we all know. But with zero outdoor activities how do you make sure that your child has a normal, healthy development?
The unprecedented virus, out of all things has taught us one thing and that is, our bodies ought to be treated like a temple. If to this day, your child, like all children since the beginning of time, has a not-so-pleasant reaction upon finding leafy greens in daily meals then now is the time to educate them as to why they need those inside their system. It may not be easy though. You’ll require a list of things per se to do all the convincing, which may include, Patience, and some more patience and a little more patience. But that’s the beauty of raising children, isn’t it? Or maybe not!
Everything you need to do to help your child build a stronger immunity!
First thing’s first! Give in without Giving up.
The virus and fears that come attached to it are alien to your children. It may take a little while for your child to grasp on to the new normal and blend into its ways. However small your baby is, you can decide what habits you’ll teach them, for those will decide their future. If from an early age on you give a structure to their lifestyle, believe it or not, they’ll grow up used to the good habits made mandatory and that will help them face every unprecedented circumstance, courageously.
Here are some of the ways you can make sure that your child grows with a healthy immune system, with strong habits that make for a smooth sailing life.
1) Encourage your children to eat whole foods
This may seem like too repetitive an advice, but the larger than life benefits of eating healthy cannot be stressed enough, no matter what age you are at. Healthy eating is beneficial for both mother and baby immunity.
Fruits and Vegetables give your child the energy they need to carry out their daily activities. They are the source of antioxidants, fibers, water and so many other rich nutrients that protect your child against diseases later in life.
You don’t need to have them set to hog on a big bowl of garden salads, instead make them fall in love with veggies. Make vegetables a part of your life as well. Make sure to keep experimenting with all kinds of colourful local produce. The idea is to make the process of eating whole foods less of trouble and more of fun.
Take small portions of pasta, rice, chicken or anything that your child enjoys the most eating, all these foods taste great with veggies so that way it’s a win-win situation on both ends.
You can also have them help you in the kitchen setting up a salad plate or coming up with their favourite cartoon characters with the help of veggies. This way they feel responsible for having played an important role in the cooking aspect which makes eating for them all the more interesting. Also, try offering them veggies as snacks, in the form of stir-fried carrots, beetroots, or even cherry tomatoes along with their favourite dips, or simply give them a handful of nuts for Vitamin E, and flax seeds or pumpkin seeds that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and keep the immune system healthy.
2) Antibodies in Breast Milk
If you just gave birth, then keeping all your hesitations aside, get to breastfeeding your little one. Baby’s immunity while breastfeeding increases at a rapid range. This is because Breast Milk contains antibodies and healthy enzymes that are great for babies for immunity.
The protein found in cow’s milk can lead to several allergic reactions, while Breast Milk contains proteins that are easily digestible.
Breast Milk also reduces the risk of various viruses and infections including urinary infections, gastroenteritis, and various respiratory infections.
3) Never underestimate the benefits of regular massages
One thing that is of grave importance for anybody at any age is to have a relaxed every day, which can only come from relaxed sleep and a stress-free body.
This is why apart from treating your baby’s body from within, it is important that you also pay attention to caring from outside. A relaxed body can help your child reap multiple benefits from all the physical activities and healthy eating.
From the day a child is born, they recognize your touch. Notice how they cry when you put them down and smile the minute you lift them?
That’s because your mere touch can soothe them and also strengthen your bond with them.
Your touch can be made healthful for the baby with regular massages. Massage is a great way to stimulate your child’s nervous system and help them sleep better, it is also great for baby immunity development. Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the body in response to stress, regular massages are a proven way to restrain the release of these hormones replacing them with serotonin, which is a happy hormone. How wonderful is that?
Regular hair and body massages for the baby have proven to have long-term health benefits which include better functioning of bones and muscles and alertness in the body, which helps the body respond well to the good bacteria that strengthen the system.
Maaté's Hair Massage Oil and Body Massage Oil for babies are powered by the goodness of Nature’s best ingredients. All these ingredients undergo various tests before making it to our formulations, which is how you can be sure of your child’s safety. The Hair Massage oil provides deep nourishment to the scalp and strengthens the hair follicles. The curated combination of tested herbs improve blood circulation and soothe the scalp. It is enriched with the goodness of Almond oil, Hibiscus, and Eclipta Alba, amongst a host of healthful ingredients that condition the scalp and prevent hair thinning.
The Baby Body Massage Oil creates a protective barrier around the skin, keeping bad bacteria from entering the system. The extracts of Sunflower, and sesame and a host of strong antioxidants enhance your baby’s bone mineralization and density by increasing calcium content in bones. The properties of pomegranate, seed oil, and Rosemary oil, strengthen blood vessels and stimulate blood circulation.
4) Promote regular hand-washing and proper cleansing of the body
If you thought that only eating healthy is the way to a disease-free life, then you have got it all wrong. With the current scenario, and even otherwise hygiene plays an important role in a child’s life. Touch transmits up to 85% infections, which can also be the reason baby’s immunity drops, therefore encouraging your child to develop healthy hygiene habits is of utmost importance.
Regular hand-washing cuts the chances of bacteria and viruses from entering the body and reduces the risks of lung infections.
An unclean body can be the reason for a compromised immune system, so don’t let your child skip regular showers. Make sure that you thoroughly cleanse them regularly with only safe and Natural products. Maaté's Baby Body Wash is an all-natural skin cleanser, empowered by Nature. it contains Neem and Lavender Oil that carries great antiseptic and antibacterial properties, believed to protect the skin from various diseases. The Licorice content gently cleanses the baby’s tender skin, leaving it soft, supple, and radiant.
The Vital Takeaway
All children need personalized support because their immune systems vary. Understand your child’s wants and needs and work closely with paediatricians who can help you draw out a plan that works best for your child. Encourage them to indulge in physical activities regularly. We pray for the world to be devoid of diseases so children can play, out in the open, amidst Nature, but till then help them to come up with ways to increase mobility while staying safe indoors. While your child will remain shielded from illnesses is a huge claim to make, regular low impact body movements, healthy hygiene, healthy eating and regular massaging will help them to stay strong in the face of illnesses. Educate your children about the ongoing scenarios and without igniting fear, simply make them understand as to why it is important for them to follow a healthy pattern to keep diseases at bay. Hope you would find these immune-boosting ideas useful and follow them to raise healthy, happy children!
