How to boost your baby’s immune system

November 09, 2018

The colder months have arrived and cold and flu season is starting. Every parent is thinking: ‘uh oh, here we go’. And right you are! Colds and flus are the worst! For you and for your amazing little baby.

So what can you do to help boost your baby’s immune system? Well, if you can, breastfeed. Breastmilk provides great immune system boosters in the form of protein, sugar, and fat that your baby needs to be healthy. It also hosts antibodies, immune factors, enzymes, and white blood cells.

But don’t be dismayed if you can’t breastfeed, or if you need to top up with formula. There are many bio and organic formulas available that are very close to breastmilk and can give your baby much needed essential fatty acids, nutrients and proteins they need to grow healthy and strong and battle those Autumn and Winter germs.

At Organic Baby Food Shop we have some great formulas for the colder months that will help you baby stay healthy and boost their immune system, we recommend:

Holle Stage PRE Infant Formula which is ideal for supplementing or replacing breastmilk. It contains fatty acids and nutrients your baby needs to grow and is made from the highest quality organic Demeter milk.
HiPP Organic Stage PRE Infant Formula is also suitable as a breastmilk supplement and has natural lactic acid cultures to help baby stay calm and soothed.
HiPP Organic Good Night Formula 6 months + is a great organic baby formula because it uses Organic rice and buckwheat cereals to keep your baby full longer and contains Vitamin A, D and C. In the colder months when you and your baby need more rest it is a great formula to help to parents.

As well as great, nutritional baby formulas, you can do your best to avoid germs. Keep the house clean. Make sure your and your baby’s hands are washed regularly. Try not to let them lick the table at the local café…

Although you want to try and keep baby’s temperature regulated, there is such a thing as ‘cabin-fever’ and it is important for both you and your baby to regularly get some fresh air together. Bundle up toasty warm and go outside for a walk to the shops, to visit a neighbor, or even just around the block. It does wonders for the body, mind and soul.

Ok, now this is a hard one if you have a fussy baby, but if you can, try to maximize your and your baby’s sleep and rest. A rested body is stronger and more able to fight diseases. Let mom or dad come over and play with your little one for a few hours while you sleep. Let your partner cuddle your baby while you rest and vice versa. Steal the moments of downtime that you can.

And look after yourself! Because if you aren’t well, you can’t look after your baby so well! Consider taking vitamins, eating nutrient rich foods and probiotics. Make sure that your own immune system has all the possible benefits that it can, so you can pass this on in energy, love and care, and via breastmilk to your baby.

Good luck, but above all, great patience. It can be a hard time of year, but with all the love you feel for your baby it will pass in the blink of an eye.