This is a question often asked after tired and exasperated mom’s have had a few urgent care visits to the office in short succession, and even more so now, during the Covid- pandemic. Parents come with bottles and bottles of medicine and supplements that claim to protect their kids from infections, so why isn’t it helping?😪
Let me explain a bit of Physiology 101 to you. During pregnancy specific maternal antibodies( IgG) passively cross the placenta to the baby. This happens mostly in the third trimester and is also the reason why premature babies have even less of these precious IgG antibodies.
These antibodies fall to a physiological low level in all babies between the ages of 3 and 6 months. At the same time the baby’s bone marrow and production of their own IgG antibodies is immature, and this low level of these antibodies often coincide with first infections.
At one year of age IgG can be 50-60% of fully functioning levels, IgA ( the antibody that protects the mucous membranes and gut) only 20% of normal values, and IgM, the antibody you produce in reaction to an infection, at 75% of adult values. ( see the attached graph that shows all these levels nicely)
It is important to know that these low levels are transient, and that, in most littlies they will recover over the next 1-2 years. In some children and in those with Primary Immune Deficiencies, it may take a bit longer. This phase of naturally low antibody levels is called transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of infancy (THI). Big word, I know. 🤗What I am trying to explain is that this is a normal innate bone marrow immaturity that can potentially result in recurrent infections in the first years of life. And unfortunately there is no over-the-counter potion or syrup, currently available, that has the ability to boost the bone marrow into maturing sooner.
So what can you do to support their immune systems.
👍🏻Eat a rainbow – It is important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables as each have different phytonutrients that help maintain a healthy immune system. In bigger kids aim for 3-5 servings of fruit and veg per day: fresh, frozen, tinned or dried. Incorporate them to be a part of all meals and snacks. Remember that a healthy immune system is dependent on a healthy gut-biome, and for this, variety is most most important.
👍🏻Consume everyday superfoods. There is no one specific food ( not even kale), that can be hailed as the be all and end all in the fight against infections. The goodness comes in the variety of wholegrains, meat, fatty fish, legumes like chickpeas and lentils and the fruits and vegetables mentioned above.
👍🏻Maintain a healthy sleep schedule – Sleep deprivation, for young and old causes a drop in their immune system’s natural killer cells, making them more susceptible for infections. The amount of sleep varies by age, but as a rule of thumb newborns need 16-18 hours per day, toddlers 13 hours and 3-12 year olds need 10-12 hours per day.
👍🏻Breastfeed, if you can. It is not always an easy task for everyone but if you are able to breastfeed, continue for as long as it is a happy experience for both mom and babe. If you can even just manage a few days, the variety of antibodies and white blood cells in the breast milk will have huge benefits for the development of a healthy immune system in your baby.
👍🏻Think carefully about daycare options. The more little bodies in a class, the higher the chances of catching a couple or a dozen of fly-away virus’ or bacteria. Litttle ones love to hug and kiss and spread that love around, but unfortunately that’s not the only thing they share amongst each other.
👍🏻Consider supplementing Vit C, Vit D, and Zinc only if your child’s diet isn’t optimal, refuses whole food groups or is a very picky eater.
Swipe left to view daily requirements and natural sources of these powerful vitamins and minerals.
I am sure I have burst a few well meaning bubbles
today, but a good diet is the most important part of building a healthy immune system. Be free to ask, if you are unsure about your little one’s Vitamin needs or if they are presenting with too many successant infections.
Stay safe and take care
Xoxo @Dr Christa
