Baby's Immune System

5 Ways to Give Baby's and Toddler's Immune System a Boost

By Donna Smith

"A collection of mechanisms within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own healthy cells and tissues in order to function properly. Detection is complicated as pathogens adapt and evolve new ways to successfully infect the host organism."

Sounds pretty important, doesn't it? This is Wikipedia's definition of immune system – a system that must be in good working order for us to live a healthy life.

Here are 5 ways to give your baby or toddler's immune system a boost!

Nutrients play an integral role in the development and function of the immune system, says Dr. Joseph Kahn, Chair, Department of Pediatrics at St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. "A functioning immune system requires rapid cellular proliferation and synthesis of protective proteins (antibodies) which requires a ready supply of nutrients."

"You can boost the immune system of a baby or toddler eating solid foods or baby foods by offering plenty of fruits and vegetables," says Lauren Graf, clinical dietitian at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. She suggests sweet potatoes, oranges, blueberries, applesauce, broccoli and carrots. "These foods are packed with vitamins and minerals and antioxidants. Many vitamins including vitamin C and E are antioxidants and work to protect the cells of the immune system."

Zinc is another player in a healthy immune system. "Ensuring adequate intake in foods rich in zinc will help keep [the] immune system functioning well," Graf says. "Foods high in zinc include protein-rich foods such as chicken, meat, beans or eggs but can also be found in fortified cereals, yogurt and milk."

Want to see more?

• Feeding Issues with Infants: Is Baby Getting Proper Nutrition?
• Smoke into the Mouths of Babes: The Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Babies and Toddlers
• No Needles? The Great Immunization Debate
• From Mother to Mother: 6 Simple and Subtle Ways to Promote Breastfeeding
• Bedtime for Toddlers: 10 Steps to Sleep Without Tears
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!