Q. Jennifer Pinkerton: How does a child's immune system differ from that of an adult?
A. Kath Terrill: When a baby is born, it does not have a full complement of immune arsenal. In the womb, the infant relies on the mother's immune system, and it takes time after its exposure to the external environment for its own immune system to fully develop.
For example, good intestinal bacteria are essential for a strong immune system and a newborn enters the world with very little of these bacteria initially. Anatomically, important structures for immune defence such as the respiratory tract can take several years to mature fully.
From a naturopathic perspective, nurturing and strengthening a child's immune system is a key factor in promoting overall good health later in life.
Q. JP: Is there a particular age range when children's immune systems require added protection?
A. KT: Probably ‘stage' is more relevant here than age. Many factors can influence the health of a child's immune development, and we need to be aware of situations where either exposure to viruses or bacteria is increased, or where immunity might be compromised.
Situations where there is greater exposure to ‘bugs' include:
- New exposure to other children (such as in day-care or schools)
- Changing environment (travelling or moving)
- Changing seasons (onset of winter)
Factors that can deplete a child's immune resources include:
- Growth spurts
- Stress
- Exams
- Any kind of lifestyle or environmental change.
Children's bodies need extra nutrients to cope with increased demands, and sometimes dietary intake does not provide enough of these to adequately support the immune system.
Q. JP: How can the immune system be affected by contact with other kids (in group environments such as school)?
A. KT: As a child's immunity is still developing, they are often more open to ‘catching' viruses and bacterial infections than adults. Naturopathically, this is not seen as necessarily a bad thing. In fact it is considered an important part of healthy immune development!
When kids come into contact with each other, there is an increased chance of passing on infection because they are easily exposed to each others bodily fluids and airborne ‘bugs'.
Q. JP: What can parents do to give kids the best immune system boost possible?
A. KT: A healthy diet is essential. This includes (as much as possible) providing them with a variety of wholegrain cereals such as oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread, corn and wholemeal pasta; a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables such as those high in vitamin C like broccoli, zucchini, capsicum, citrus fruits and strawberries; good protein foods like eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds, red meat, chicken and fish and healthy fats such as those found in oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds and olive oil.
Sometimes, especially when kids are fussy eaters, it can be difficult to ensure that your child has all their nutritional requirements met through diet alone.
Supplementation may be necessary at these times, especially during winter when a child is more likely to get an infection.
Keep your kids happy and healthy
- Exercise
- Stress relief
- Lots of fun and laughter
- Stability and routine with sleep and regular meal times
- Breakfast every day (very important!)
- Healthy weight maintenance
- Lots of variety in daily activity
- Lots of fresh air and sunshine
- Participation in sport
- Limited time in front of the TV and computer games and any other sedentary activities
Tip: When they do get sick, nurture them back to health by encouraging them to rest until they are back to full health