As a parent, there are many things you do to help your little one be as healthy and happy as possible. It is never fun seeing your baby or young child suffer from an illness, so keeping their immune system strong is a priority. There are many things that boost immunity, and studies show that sleep is one of the most important.
Sleep is beneficial for many reasons, and strengthening the immune system is one of the advantages. Along with sleep training to ensure your baby gets adequate amounts of uninterrupted sleep time, there are other things you can do to help.
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How Does Sleep Strengthen Immunity?
There is a strong connection between sleep and immunity. People who get enough sleep tend to be healthier. On the flip side, those who are sleep deprived are more susceptible to short-term illnesses, such as the cold and flu, and chronic ones such as heart issues, nervous system problems, and chronic pain.
Sleep helps boost immunity in various ways. During slumber, less energy is needed for muscle activity and breathing, so there is more for the immune system to use. While sleeping, the body is able to improve T-cells, which are important components of the immune system. These cells help fight pathogens that have infected cells.
While one sleeps, there is also an uptick in the production of cytokines. These proteins are associated with the inflammatory response, which is one of the critical roles immunity plays in ridding the body of infection. Having more cytokines improves adaptive immunity.
How To Give Your Child a Deep Sleep?
Although infants sleep a lot, it is often sporadic, which makes it more difficult to get into a routine. However, once your baby reaches four months, it is easier to establish a routine so he or she can begin sleeping through the night. Some things you can incorporate to encourage deep sleep include:
- Keeping the lights low
- Making a calm and quiet environment
- Putting your baby to bed at the first signs of sleepiness
- Allowing your little one to have a little time to settle down before checking on him or her
If it seems like your child is having a particularly hard time getting to sleep, you can use sleep spray for kids to induce calm. Spray this organic spray in the air or on your child’s bedding prior to bedtime.
Are There Additional Ways to Boost Immunity?
Although sleep is one of the most important ways to boost immunity, ensuring your child eats a nutritionally-sound diet is important. If you are breastfeeding, this is usually adequate, especially if you eat fairly well. Once your child begins eating solid food, make sure to introduce a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and preferably organic ones. Once your child gets older, you can add additional foods in creative ways.
When your child is picky about what he or she eats, or if it is cold and flu season, you may want to use a children’s immune support supplement. These are available in syrups, gummies, and pills, depending on the age of your child.
Written By Azim with MimaKidsUSA.com
