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There isn’t much that is more upsetting than having a sick baby. They can’t quite yet express what is specifically bothering them, but you know from the mood change, low energy level, sleeplessness, and appetite change that something is wrong. As frustrating as the cold or flu is for your baby, exposure is crucial for the development of their immune system, as it allows them to learn to distinguish between harmless and harmful invaders. Exposure to a diverse range of microbes early in life can help reduce the risk of allergies, asthma, and autoimmune diseases.

During the colder months, it’s even more important to pay attention to our little ones’ immune system and incorporate some proactive support. Unfortunately, there are only so many things we can do to prevent catching an illness, and if your toddler is like mine, he catches all the colds. From a c-section, to traveling a lot with Trax, to both he and I’s several rounds of antibiotics from mastitis and ear infections, I have had some work to do with building my son’s immune strength and gut health. I found a few natural remedies and foods that have worked for us to share.

Detox Bath With Dead Sea Salt Minerals
A detox bath with Dead Sea salt minerals is one of the best ways to promote overall wellness. This bath will help eliminate toxins from you and your child’s body and improve their circulation. This brand of highly concentrated dead sea salt contains more minerals than regular epsom salt. The bromides & magnesium help to relax a sore, fatigued body (we had aches and pains), the potassium actually made our skin more hydrated rather than drying out (typical this time of year), the sodium & sulphur content help your liver detoxify and cells expel waste. STOCK UP and get some here!

Simply add a quarter to half a cup of this Dead Sea salt to your toddler’s bath and allow them to soak for ten to twenty minutes.

Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is a natural sweetener that has powerful antibacterial properties. It has been used for centuries to help fight off infections and illnesses. It works by creating an environment in which bacteria cannot survive. Manuka honey is a perfect addition to your child’s diet and can be incorporated into their meals or snacks. It’s important to note that honey should not be given to children under one year of age.

Colloidal Silver
Silver has been used for thousands of years to protect from disease, bacteria, and infection, fighting airborne toxins, sanitizing and more. It lost its popularity in the 1930’s with marketing of modern antibiotics. But it works like a disinfectant for your system according to clinical researchers and many functional medicine practitioners. One book on the subject found links between people with low silver levels and improper function of the immune system. This brand of colloidal silver is actually made of 80% silver nanoparticles which is far more reactive, is of the highest purity, and highest bioavailability

Mary Ruth’s Probiotics, Vitamin D3 Drops, and Multivitamin Drops
Mary Ruth’s Probiotics, Vitamin D3 Drops, and Multivitamin Drops are a fantastic way to support your toddler’s overall health. These supplements help keep your child’s immune system functioning correctly. Probiotics help support gut health, which is essential in keeping the immune system strong. Vitamin D3 is crucial for bone development and overall health. Mary Ruth’s products are certified organic, vegan, and non-GMO, making them an excellent choice for parents who are conscious about what they give their children.

Immune-Boosting Foods
Adding whole foods to your toddler’s diet is the best way to support a properly functioning immune system. But getting your toddler to eat fruits and vegetables isn’t always easy, especially when they are sick. They tend to prefer foods with a lot more flavor as the stuffy or runny nose is making things not taste as appetizing. So adding some extra veggies to muffins, pancakes, pasta sauces, or smoothies can be a sneaky way to get the important nutrients in.

Adding a little extra salt, a squirt of lemon juice, or honey to sweeten are a few ways to entice them to continue eating carrots or avocado after one bite. Here are some foods that support lower inflammation levels as well as cellular health for a strong, balanced immune response:

Pomegranate, berries, citrus, spinach, and broccoli: These colorful foods are high in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants are important ingredients for a healthy immune system. Antioxidants help protect immune cells from inflammatory and cell damaging free radicals, they play an important role in signaling your immune system to respond, protect the immune cells called lymphocytes and phagocytes (which are essential for recognizing and attacking pathogens), reduce inflammation that keeps the immune system from responding, and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Vitamins A, C, and E actually work together for a healthy and balanced immune response. These essential nutrients work synergistically to protect cells from damage, enhance immune cell function, and control the immune system’s overall response.

Avocado: Avocados are an excellent source of oleic acid which helps reduce inflammation and repair damaged cells. They also contain antioxidants with the benefits discussed above. You may not know that avocados contain fiber, but the fiber in avocados is important for a healthy gut microbiome as a toddler’s immune system develops. Folate isn’t just important when you are pregnant, but as a toddler is growing they need folate (not folic acid) as well to develop healthy immune cells, you can get folate from avocados.

Kefir: This probiotic-rich food helps increase beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can help boost the immune system. If your child has had antibiotics or a lot of ultra-processed foods, reaching for probiotic-rich foods like kefir is very important.

Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spinach, Mangoes, Bell Peppers, Cantaloupe, and Carrots: These fruits & vegetables are high in beta-carotene, which helps improve the function of white blood cells. It helps your body make more t-cells, natural killer cells, and antibodies.

As a mother too, I know you want your toddler to be full of energy and eating nutrient-dense foods. If you have the time and patience to prepare balanced plates for them, (or order them via a meal delivery company), AND they choose to eat healthy foods most days of the week, you are doing a great job supporting their immune system. If that isn’t always the case, try some of the remedies suggested above for some extra help!