PREGNANCY & CHILDHOOD

Fact or Fiction: Immunity in Infants and Children

Fact or Fiction: The Infant Immune System and How to Improve Immunity

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Twelve need-to-know strategies to help strengthen your child's immune system.

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JUN. 15, 2020   4 MIN. READ
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Every parent wants to protect their children from illness-causing germs, but not everyone agrees on the best way to do that.

So, when it comes to supporting a child’s immune system, what really works? Here are 12 common immunity beliefs — fact and fiction — to help your family grow up to be strong and healthy. 

1. Fact: You Can Improve Your Child's Immunity Before Birth

An expecting mother's health and immunity have a direct impact on the health and immunity of her developing baby. To support their immune health, moms should prioritize taking good care of themselves, including  a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercise, stress reduction and plenty of sleep.

2. Fiction: The Gut Is Separate from the Immune System

Approximately 70 percent of the immune system is in our GI tract, where there are trillions of microscopic organisms. The balance of good bacteria in the gut is an important component in the immunity of the entire body.

3. Fact: Skin-to-Skin Contact Helps Baby's Immunity

Also called "kangaroo care," skin-to-skin contact with mom and dad, especially in the first few days after your baby is born, helps to transfer diverse microbes to enhance newborn immunity.

4. Fact: Probiotics Pass from Mom to Baby in the Womb

Breast milk contains Probiotics that are passed to baby during breastfeeding. Probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt and kefir can help to strengthen mom's immune system to support the baby's as well.

5. Fact: Breastmilk Contains Specialized Nutrients to Bolster Baby's Immunity

Milk the mother produces immediately following delivery is called colostrum and contains immune-strengthening antibodies, to help protect the baby in the first months of life.  All breast milk is also rich in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs are special prebiotics that help feed the good bacteria in your baby's gut to support GI health and the developing immune system.  Abbott's Similac® with 2′-FL HMO was the United States' first infant formula to provide HMOs to formula-fed babies.

6. Fiction: Parents Should Minimize How Often Baby Leaves Home in the First Six Months of Life

While babies are more susceptible to serious infection in the first six months of life, they do not need to live in a bassinet bubble.  However, during a global pandemic new parents and guardians should refer to CDC guidelines and recommendations to protect children. And as always ask visitors to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before holding or playing with your infant or newborn.

7. Fact: Having Pets Are Beneficial to the Immune System

For most young children, new experiences and interactions are opportunities to build new antibodies and strengthen the immune system. Studies even show that safe interaction with pets can impact the composition and diversity of the microbes in a child's gut, and may help prevent the development of asthma

8. Fiction: Sleep is Not Important To Your Immune System

A solid night’s rest will do wonders for how you feel the next day. But getting the right amount of sleep can support your immune system and strengthen our body’s defenses.

9. Fact: By Age 3, a Child's Immune System Becomes Stable

The first year of life is a critical window for immune development — by about age three the system will be more mature. However, it's important to remember that, even after your child's third birthday, new foods, activities, illnesses and courses of antibiotics can affect the health of gut bacteria and the immune system.

10. Fact: Childhood Nutrition Can Nourish a Developing Immune System

Even after breastfeeding or formula feeding has stopped, nutrition and immunity are intricately linked. As your baby begins to eat solid food, offer whole foods and whole-food purees including fruits, vegetables and grains. They are rich in prebiotics, which help probiotics strengthen the infant immune system via the gut.

11. Fiction: Exercise Does Not Affect a Child's Growing Immunity

Research shows that exercise may also diversify your child's gut microbes to strengthen the immune system. Encourage active playtime with your child at home, in the backyard or at the park.

12. Fact: Washing Your Hands Can Prevent Illness

Regularly washing hands and teaching proper hygiene can help to prevent the spread of common illnesses. According to the CDC, handwashing with soap could protect about 1 out of every 3 young children who get sick with diarrhea and almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections like pneumonia. 

Nutrients for Your Childs Brain and Eye Development

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Every parent wants their child to be healthy and one of the most important factors as children grow is good nutrition. For example, certain nutrients can help support strong bones, a healthy immune system, and so on. Three nutrients are especially important to support the developing brain and eyes: Lutein, Vitamin E, and DHA.

"These key nutrients work together to support brain and eye health," explains Abbott registered dietitian and pediatric nutrition scientist, Beth Reverri, PhD, RD. Fortunately for parents and young children, these nutrients are easy to get from breastmilk, foods, and formulas. 

Preparing for Your Adolescents Teenage Growth Spurt

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Adolescence, or the teenage years, is usually a time of major growth and development. Your child may experience a drastic change in height, accompanied by puberty milestones. These adjustments can come on quick and sometimes be surprising — for both your child and you — but the best way to mitigate any confusion is to educate your child on the changes to come.

Parents can play a large role in helping children navigate the adolescent years and become young adults. Knowing the signs of a teenage growth spurt is the first step in helping your child feel safe and supported during this time of change. 

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SIMILAC PRO-ADVANCE

Similac is the first formula brand with both two fluid ounces of HMO for immune support and our unique blend of DHA and Lutein for brain and eye development.

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