What affects your childs immune system?

As a parent, whenever your child is sick, your entire focus shifts to looking after him/her and ensuring he/she recovers quickly. The higher the frequency of their illnesses, the more you worry. But have you considered why they fall sick so often? You should focus on the biggest influencer of your child’s health - their immunity.

Falling ill disrupts your child’s life too. Did you know that 30% of the children miss school every year due to low immunity? (Source: IMRB) Let’s understand what affects your child’s immune system and find a solution to it.

Why should you pay attention to your child’s immunity?

Immune disorders make your child more vulnerable to infections, which is why they tend to recur. Falling sick more than six times in six months, can be a result of compromised immunity. Additionally, untreated and poorly managed infections such as frequent colds weaken your child’s immunity and their bodily functions.

Type of birth affects your child’s immunity

Your infant’s immune health is similar to a blank canvas. The colors fill in eventually as your child grows. In the first few months, your child survives with the help of the antibodies received from the mother. Gradually, these antibodies disappear and your child develops its own antibodies.

Children born through caesarean or c-sections have increased susceptibility towards allergic rhinitis or asthma if their parents have a history of experiencing these conditions. Children who are born naturally via the birth canal don’t hold as much risk. (Research Gate) 

Children who are breastfed have significantly higher levels of T-cells. (WHO) These cells play a central role in your immune system. Because they have a different bacterial flora in the digestive tract, children who aren’t breastfed and are born through c-section have a disadvantage in the development of their immune system. Bacterial flora is an important factor in your respiratory system.  

Risk factors associated with children’s immune diseases

According to WHO, exposure to environmental factors affect your child’s developing immune system. Many childhood respiratory diseases where child immunity plays an important role, such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and others like type 1 diabetes or eczema too are linked to environmental exposure. Other risk factors include genetics, exposure to chemicals and stress.

Psychological stress in children contributes to the imbalance in their immune response. Additionally, it can also have an effect on the cells which produce insulin potentially resulting into type1 diabetes. (Journal of Immunology- Psychological Stress in Children May Alter The Immune Response)   

Now that you know the problems affecting your child’s immunity, let’s guide  you towards the solution – homeopathy.