Supporting Your Child's Immune System Our Practical Naturopathic Approach. 

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We aren't trying to prevent every cold and flu that comes through daycare or school. Not only is that an impossible task it is also not how immune systems develop. As hard as the serial illness can be on kids and parents, we want exposures to help develop a robust and well rounded immune system. What we can do is help shorten the intensity and duration of those inevitable illnesses that spread through the house.

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Before we dive into prevention strategies, let's talk about when to pick up the phone or head to the doctor's office. Seek medical care immediately if your child shows:

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Breathing difficulties: Watch for bluish lips or skin, grunting sounds, flared nostrils, or wheezing.

Signs of dehydration: No tears when crying, minimal urine output, sunken eyes, or dry lips and mouth.

High or persistent fever: Temperatures greater than 40°C, or any fever lasting more than three days despite medication. Here is one of our favorite comprehensive guides for fever care if you are unsure.

These are your non-negotiables. Trust your gut, if something feels off, get it checked.

The Foundations

If you’ve been to see one of our NDs you know what is coming. The most powerful immune support doesn't come in a bottle. It comes from consistent daily habits that we often overlook in our search for quick fixes.

Sleep: The Most Underrated Immune Booster

Your child's body does serious immune system maintenance during sleep. Make it count by establishing consistency: 

• similar bedtimes and wake times create a rhythm their body can rely on. 
• Keep technology out of the bedroom (tablets, phones, and TVs.)
• Build a wind-down routine with baths, showers, or reading. 
• It's not complicated, but it requires commitment.
  
  • Sticker charts and working toward fun rewards can make this more enjoyable for kids and parents!
  • If your child struggles with sleep, check in with an ND or your primary health care provider as soon as you can. This is one of the most important things to sort out when supporting your child’s health. 

Hand Hygiene: Boring But Effective

Here's where you can make a real dent in illness transmission. The key is making it easy and automatic:

• Hands get washed the moment you walk through the door, before touching anything else. Consider setting up a kid-sized sink or keeping a water bottle with a press spout accessible.
• Stock hand wipes or alcohol-based sanitizer at key exit points, grabbing them when leaving daycare or school becomes second nature.
• Always wash before eating. No exceptions.
• Work on reducing face touching, nose picking, and hand licking. This one takes time and gentle reminders, but it's worth the effort.

Supplementation: When and What?

We will always try to help families by encouraging food first and supplements only when needed. The risk we take in relying on multivitamins for picky eaters is that it can shift the focus away from a child’s learning process around food. Not only do we need to continue to introduce kids to nutrient dense foods to help them build confidence, curiosity and a positive relationship with food. But we are also teaching them that real meals, not substitutes, are where nourishment comes from. Prioritizing a varied, nutrient-dense diet supports both immune health and lifelong healthy eating habits. Supplement use in this case is specific to reducing duration and intensity of colds and flus. 

Vitamin D (400 IU/day)

Low vitamin D status is associated with increased respiratory infections, and it plays a legitimate role in immune function. Most kids benefit from supplementation, especially in northern climates with limited sun exposure.

Probiotics (100 million to 5 billion CFU/day)

Evidence suggests specific strains may reduce respiratory symptoms or illness days in daycare and preschool settings. Look for:

• L. reuteri (Bio Gaia)
• L. rhamnosus (HMF Fit for School, MetaKids, Orange Naturals, Culturelle Kids)

Zinc (3 mg/day)

Zinc deficiency impairs immune responses. Give it with food to avoid digestive upset, zinc will cause nausea on an empty stomach!

Vitamin C (50 mg/day and up)

It won't prevent colds entirely, but it may slightly reduce their duration and severity. Most children get adequate vitamin C from food alone. Since it's water-soluble, you can go higher if needed without much concern. Save your money if their diet already includes fruits and vegetables.

Omega-3 (100-250 mg DHA+EPA)

If fish intake is minimal in your household, consider a fish oil supplement. Omega-3s support overall health, including immune function.

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Supporting your child's immune system isn't about avoiding germs. It's about building resilience through consistent habits and targeted supplementation. 

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Focus on what you can control: sleep routines, hand hygiene, and filling nutritional gaps thoughtfully.

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Your kids will still get sick, that's part of being a kid. But with these strategies in place, those illnesses might just be shorter, milder, and a bit more manageable for everyone.

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Good luck out there this winter!

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Dr.Nat, ND