As a parent, there is the desire to protect your children from any sickness but putting them in a bubble and coddling them is no way for them to contract bacteria that will help strengthen their bodies from various illnesses. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you will not take extra precautions when necessary, just like during the cold and flu season where runny nose, fever, and lack of appetite can be detrimental to their health, and can hinder their studies too, especially when they are going to school. That said, there are steps that can be taken to help boost your child’s immunity, just in time for the flu season.

Expose them to sunlight

Children nowadays prefer to stay indoors, glued to their gadgets and playthings, that they are missing out on their much-needed vitamin D. Exposing them to the morning sun even for just a few minutes can make their body absorb this essential nutrient that plays a part in their immune system’s growth and development. If you want to entice your children outdoors, you will need to start thinking creatively.

Serve healthy meals

Another step to boosting your child’s immune system is to serve only nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. The vitamins and minerals that are present in these foods are necessary for the function of a well-balanced gut, that contributes to a strong immune system that can fend off any attacks from bacterial or viral infections.

Offer probiotics

The immune system works better when your child’s gut bacteria is well-balanced. But with the kinds of foods that they are eating at school, it’s not surprising that they end up with an upset stomach, or poor immune system. Fortunately, this can be corrected by feeding them with probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, or even kimchi, which are fermented foods that deliver a healthy dose of good bacteria right into their tummy.

Keep them hydrated

Hydration is essential too when you want to ensure that your child will be able to keep the viral infection at bay. And it’s not just water that you can serve your child, but other sources of liquid too such as bone broth, fruit infused water, and fresh fruit juice as well.

Promote better bed time hours

At their young age, your children will need plenty of sleep to have a strong immune system which is why you need to ensure that they are getting at least 10 hours of sleep give or take. Training your children to go to bed and waking up at specific times on a daily basis will help their bodies go into a relaxed mode at night, just in time for them to drift off to sleep. A healthy bed time ritual can also promote a more comfortable and deeper sleep where their growth and development can continue.

Teach good hygiene

Children are naturally curious creatures and will pick up, hug, and put things in their mouth when you are not around. But with proper hygiene, you’ll be able to teach them the value of clean hands as a best defense against the flu season. Covering their mouth when they sneeze and cough is one way of preventing the germs from spreading, as well as inhaling the virus from their sick friends.

These are just a few tips on how you will be able to prepare your little one for the flu season. Although this doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to completely stop the virus, it will at least reduce their risk.