Initially, parenting comes with a lot of responsibilities and my personal favorite one is, “Why is my toddler always getting sick?”. If you are a parent, I am very sure you have had similar worries and if yes, then I commend you for searching “how to keep my toddler from catching everything” for the fifth time today. No, you are not a paranoid parent. You simply are overstepping the good parent boundaries that all parents cross.
Allow me to introduce myself: Amy. I am an unfed mother of two boys who as toddlers had the weakest immune systems ever recorded. From the endless pediatrician visits to the prescriptions which, at one point, I thought would give me a heart attack doubting myself as a parent.
This is not another article to con you with regards to health care. It is my journey along with authentic quotes from professionals like doctors and nutritionists and those dreaded old-mother tales about parenting that mothers go through. You come to my this blog not just to read but are positively inspired and have a plan that is so easy you can start today.
Key Takeaways
- Every toddler is unique; however, all of them respond well to properly established routines — maintain an organized strategy towards them.
- Extravagant goods and products are not necessary. What is needed is consistent care.
- Hygiene, nutrition, sleep, and outdoor activities are the four pillars for a healthy child.
- While supplements may offer some relief, they cannot serve as the primary remedy.
- Your praise and choices strengthen the resolve of an individual’s immune system the most.
When Sick Days Become Too Common
The winter when my younger son Liam was ill six times in just two months stands out in my memory vividly. While his condition wasn’t fully life-threatening, especially for a toddler, he did deal with stubborn coughs, ear infections, and fevers. To be honest, that was a considerable amount to deal with for someone so small, both physically and mentally. For my part, things were equally challenging. I started tracking and measuring his meals as if I were a scientist monitoring an experiment. His playtime, how active the weather was then, and when he took naps all irritated me as I tried to improve something.
This pursuit of an answer to a toddler’s immunity took me to various places, since there is no single solution to his concerns. I recall reading research papers during the short windows when his siblings were napping, relentlessly questioning every doctor I met, and trial in my other children what worked and what didn’t.
To be fair, I did come to terms with the fact that there doesn’t seem to be a single solution for all problems with the right strategy, but my efforts now require far less understanding of how my toddler’s immune system works.
Building Immunity Starts at Home, Not the Pharmacy
An immune system is not “provided” in its entirety and similarly to how a pharmacy does not serve as a suitable environment for boosting a child’s defenses, a home cannot be transformed into an “armory” for children. Children can however be empowered by infusing their living and kitchen spaces with wholesome foods which will elevate toddler’s body defenses at a different tier.
Liam’s mornings were improved with better sunlight, vibrant whole foods in place of crackers and pouches, colorful foods, and enhanced sleep at night. I’d like to mention that there was no lingering cough, but the cough’s recovery time was astonishingly faster. His daycare absences improved dramatically and I finally felt like I was doing something useful and making a difference.
Food Is the Foundation (Even for Picky Eaters)
For some time, I gave my children what I believed to be a well-balanced diet. After all, they ate something off their plates—or at least, that’s what I thought. But my perspective changed after learning how certain foods bolster the body’s defenses like the immune system. “Vitamin C, zinc, iron, and probiotics” – these words are not random and require to be treated as essential building blocks.
I know that toddlers are not famous for gobbling down spinach, and neither did mine. But I did start noticing small wins when it came to sneaking greens into fruit smoothies and roasting sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes. And those small wins tend to grow into much larger victories.
I know some parents can empathize when saying toddlers who dine exclusively on beige foods like crackers and bread are not alone, and that’s perfectly fine. With any modification, just make sure you successfully keep your calm. Try adding a slice of orange at breakfast, or toss in some garlic and carrots to a bowl of soup. Those subtle dietary shifts can sometimes be much more important than everything else.
Sleep: The Immunity Superpower We Overlook
Nobody emphasizes how crucial sleep is for the day-to-day tasks and functioning until your toddler is unable to follow a proper sleep schedule. Whining, sniffing, and a general lack of appetite are troublesome behaviors no one wants to deal with. The central issue here is that your toddler’s ability to heal and grow is greatly hindered with inconsistent sleep patterns.
I observed my son’s sleep patterns closely for quite some time. During my weekly note-taking intervals, I would document his sleep patterns. I came to the conclusion that during weeks when he was sleeping for over eleven hours nightly, he had not fallen ill. That connection was clear to me.
If your toddler struggles to fall asleep or stay asleep, I deeply understand what you are going through. Do not give up hope, though. This issue tends to resolve once a routine is established. Set a defined and unyielding time for bed. Evenings should be accompanied by dim lighting and no toys, screens, or other distractions should be in bed. Sleep may take a while, but restful sleep is a natural immune defense and, thus, the best form of protection your child can achieve.
Sunshine and Dirt: Yes, They Help
In contemporary society, we may worry too much about how clean a child is. Skimping on a child’s hygiene practices can result in a lack of handwashing, which is not what I am advocating for. Children’s bodies require some “dirt” exposure and backyard or sandbox play to foster resiliency.
Research indicates children’s health can improve with time spent outdoors, this was true for my sons. Outdoor exposure, even for 15 minutes, can enhance their vitamin D levels which helps in warding off infections. Additionally, exercising and breathing and fresh air can greatly improve their health.
If you live in an area with harsh winters, discussing vitamin D drops with your pediatrician might be worthwhile. These drops were very helpful during the sunless months in Chicago, especially when we had much of the year without sun.
What About Supplements?
To be completely honest, I, like many others, have made the mistake of picking up a bottle of gummy vitamins off the shelf without doing the necessary research. Yet, after consulting with our pediatrician, I found out something that shocked me: most toddlers with a balanced diet do not need extra supplementation.
I must note that some conditions are different. Along with the calcium and vitamin D my younger son required because of his intolerance to dairy, my older son needed a probiotic due to the gut health issues caused by his extreme pickiness.
Not guessing is the most crucial component. Always run things by your child’s doctor first. As with any substance, the wrong supplement can be exceptionally harmful to little bodies. The golden rule remains: it is unwise to make assumptions that what is safe for adults is equally safe for toddlers. The reason behind this is simple — toddlers systems are far more sensitive than those of adults.
Clean Habits Without Obsession
As a mother, balance struck me the wrong way, which is one of the biggest lessons I learned the hard way. Hygiene is a handwashing, cleaning toys, or wiping down high chairs to curbing the spread of germs. Excess focus on this, however, runs the risk of doing more harm than good. Interaction with the world around children is vital to help them build resilience.
I remember a friend’s home where every area was cleaned before a toddler was allowed to enter. You know what? Her child was still sick far too often. Why? This is because lack of exposure does not provide real learning. It is about control, not absence.
Incorporate hand washing into meal times and after play. Clean up their surroundings at the end of the day. Do not worry if children jump around in the dirt or if they pass around a toy. These behaviors are essential to the formation of an effective body defense system.
When Should You Worry?
Tell apart the regulation a toddler endures from a more complex problem. Trust in your instincts. Personally, I contacted a doctor’s office when my confidence started to dwindle. In all scenarios, those actions showed to be worthwhile.
I looked for more than 5 serious infections in a single year along with recurrent fevers and a lack of hunger for several days. With all the symptoms I was observing, it’s understandable that I did not feel hesitant to contact the pediatrician.
In some cases, a strong immune system may be overwhelmed by a constellation of viral infections common in daycare settings. But, even if your concerns seem small, it is reasonable to pursue help. The impacts of working together early on can be substantial.
You’re Doing More Than You Think
What people often overlook is the fact that when caring for a toddler’s immunity, the parent is engaged and actively doing everything within their power—this alone is already the hardest part. No health hack you find on the web will ever replace the work you are doing. You are already there, you are already putting in the effort.
Parenting, just like anything else, comes with its own set of mistakes. One of the best things a person can do is simply show up. In so many ways, I have doubted myself. Along with my children’s crying, coupled with feverish tempers, sleepless nights from relentless coughing, and so-called ‘harder spells’ all feel overwhelming. Still, my efforts and the little things add up, resulting in something robust and cheerful during their growing years.
With focus on just one habit a week, breathing becomes easier. Breathing also becomes easier with a simple walk outdoors. Let your toddler enjoy 20 minutes of sunshine to energize their spirits. Maybe substituting fruit for crackers makes the snack healthier.
Kindness is needed when performing loving tasks. Help is crucial to tackling hindered challenges. With plenty of love, nothing else, boosters do best with immunity.