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Did you know that children under the age of 6 get an average of six to eight colds a year?
Other issues such as ear infections, bouts of diarrhoea and other illnesses also occur rather regularly when your child is still an infant.
On top of that, some also have allergies, asthma and eczema.
While falling sick once in a while is normal and highly inevitable, there are tips that you can learn and steps that you can take to help reduce the frequency in which your child falls ill.
Today, we discuss the tips to boost your child's health and immune system.
So, get your pen and notebook ready to jot down the healthy habits you can adopt that will give your child's immune system a boost.
Tip # 1: Load up on fruits and vegetables
This is definitely not new to you.
Vegetables and fruits are important sources of vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants, all of which are important to the health and development of your infant.
However, not many of us as parents, know the specific fruits and vegetables that can help to boost your child’s immune system.
Fruits and vegetables like carrots, green beans, oranges, and strawberries contain carotenoids, which are immunity-boosting phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients help to increase the body's production of infection-fighting white blood cells and interferon, an antibody that coats cell surfaces, blocking out viruses.
In addition, diets that are rich in phytonutrients not only boost your infant’s immune system. It can also protect against such chronic diseases such as heart diseases and cancer all through to adulthood!
To get all these wonderful benefits of fruits and vegetables, try to get your child to eat at least 10 tablespoons of fruits and vegetable a day!
At our Tampines Childcare, nutritious meals are specially planned according to the dietary recommendations for them!
Tip # 2: Sleep is for the strong
As we know, as adults, we often are more susceptible to illnesses when we work overtime for too many days, or when we lack sleep.
This fact holds true for children too! So, don’t believe those who say that sleep is for the week.
On the contrary, sleep is for the strong!
Sleep deprivation will weaken your child’s immune system, causing them to fall sick more often. Moreover, studies have shown that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behaviour, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health!
Children need different amounts of sleep, depending on their age. Understanding your child's sleeping needs and unique sleep patterns is important for you to put them to bed.
As a guide, follow:
· 1 to 4 weeks old: New-borns sleep approximately 16 to 17 hours a day. They have not developed a night/day sleep cycle.
· 1 to 4 months old: Babies of this age still tend to sleep about the same number of hours, but their night/day sleep cycles begin to kick in, allowing them to sleep longer at night.
· 4 months to 1 year: Babies of this age still require between 14 to 15 hours of sleep daily. Most of them are able to sleep through most of the night. During this period, it is important to establish healthy sleep habits for your child.
· 1 to 3 years: Most toddlers need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep.
· 3 to 7 years- Approximately 11 to 12 hours of sleep.
At our childcare in Tampines, we have designated areas for sleep and play in a double-storey building. So, you can rest assured that you child will have quality sleep!
Tip # 3: Prevent germ spread
To reduce stress on your child’s immune system, it is essential that you prevent the spread of germs in your surroundings.
To do so, make sure your child’s hands are clean.
Wash their hands with soap, or if you really are unable to find soap, sanitize their hands and the surfaces that they often have contact with.
If your child is older and you want to encourage them to wash their hands with soap, buy brightly coloured and attractive looking soap bars or brightly coloured hand towels to help them get into this good habit.
You should also have a bag of disposable wet wipes with you all the time so that you can readily do a quick clean up, wipe their hands after playing, or blow their nose.
Tip # 4: Quit smoking
This tip is mostly directed to parents who smoke! Second hand smoke increases a child's risk of bronchitis, ear infections, and asthma.
It may also affect intelligence and neurological development. So, if you or your partner smokes, try your best to quit for the benefit of your child.
The Bottom-line
Falling sick is inevitable, whether it is for children or adults.
While you are unable to completely prevent your child from falling sick, there are steps you can take to reduce the frequency that that happens! With these tips to boost your child’s immunity that you can take, your child is well on his or her way to better health!
Feel free to WhatsApp us for more enquiries.
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Tampines)
Blk 433, Tampines Street 43, #01-63 (S) 520433
Tel: +65 9666 4141
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Taman Jurong)
Blk 153, Yung Ho Road, #01-41 (S) 610153
Tel: +65 9666 4141
Nurture Infant House (Tampines)
(2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433, Tampines Street 43, #01-61 (S) 520433
Tel: +65 9666 4141
Thanks!
Note:
For parents living in the east of Singapore and are looking for a childcare in Tampines, Genesis Childcare Tampines has had 31 years of experience in caring for your little ones. It is definitely one of the leading Tampines childcare centres!
Similarly, for parents living in the east of Singapore and are looking for an infant care centre in Tampines or a Tampines preschool, Nurture Infant House is one of the leading Tampines infant care centres with more than a decade of experience in caring for your beloved children.