Ways to Strengthen your Child's Immunity
by Melanie Waxman
I have raised seven unvaccinated
children. I gave them a strong foundation through breastfeeding,
great nutrition, a lively, healthy family life, and a mostly
My children have very strong immune systems. I don't believe
in coddling them or trying to keep them away from other kids
who are sick. Instead, I believe that their immunity strengthens
and develops when they are naturally exposed to germs. Of
course they get colds, fevers, stomach bugs and other mild
problems but they recover quickly too.
These are good signs that their
immune systems are at work dispelling toxins, viruses or bacteria
from the body. My eldest daughter contracted Lymes disease
a number of years ago and took one course of antibiotics.
My youngest son put his finger in a fan and had to take antibiotics
to prevent bone infection. Apart from that my children have
relied on simple dietary home remedies and occasionally a
homeopathic solution to alleviate any discomfort.
Today more and more parents
are realizing that the key to a healthy child is a strong
immune system. All children are constantly exposed to
disease producing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi
and parasites but this doesn't mean they will get sick. A
strong immune system provides a child with the natural defenses
to fight off disease.
If a child has a weakened
immune system they are more susceptible to colds, flu and
other problems. Germs are everywhere and being exposed to
them is a natural part of life. It is not natural, however,
to try and 'germ proof' your child. In fact exposure to different
viruses and bacteria can actually strengthen your child's
immune system. Some childhood diseases such as mumps, measles,
chickenpox and rubella can help to build immunity and protect
against these diseases.
There are a number of things you can do to help boost your
child natural immunity:-
Breastfed babies experience fewer infections than bottle fed
babies. Breast milk is vital in building your baby's immunity
and protecting against disease. It also provides a complete
nutritional balance including essential fatty acids. It is
very important to try to breastfeed your baby even if it is
only for a few months. If you are unable to give your baby
breast milk, home made brown rice milk is a healthy alternative.
Use this as part of your baby's diet to help develop a strong
constitution and immune system.
Offer an Organic Wholesome Diet
It is essential to give your child excellent daily nutrition
to keep their immune system healthy and strong. Nutritional
deficiencies make it easier for your child to be susceptible
to viruses and bacteria. Make sure your child has a variety
of organic whole-foods including fresh fruits and vegetables,
nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains. It is vital to offer
a balanced macrobiotic diet with a variety of ingredients.
All children are attracted to eating snacks. Today many foods
are highly processed and loaded with sugar such as cookies,
boxed cereals and sodas. These additive rich foods will actually
weaken the immune system. Snacking can become problematic
if children fill up on these 'nutritionally empty foods' and
don't want to eat the lovely healthy meals you have provided.
Make sure to offer good quality snacks such as fruit and vegetable
sticks, steamed bread with spreads, sushi, amasake, home made
fruit smoothies or roasted nuts and seeds.
Include some fish, good quality olive and sesame oil and natural
home made desserts in your meals.
Cold foods, excessive amounts of raw fruits and juices have
a weakening effect on the immune system and should be eaten
in moderation. In some colder climates, it might be necessary
to include cold liver oil as a supplement for your children.
Kukicha tea has a strengthening effect on immunity. Offer
it warm with rice syrup or barley malt added. Hot apple juice
is relaxing for the body and can be diluted with kukicha as
a healthy alternative to cold drinks.
Look at your own daily diet too. Remember children follow
their parents. Make sure you are preparing balanced meals
with enough variety. It is important not to be too strict
or one sided with children. Stay in contact with other families
who eat whole foods/macrobiotics and keep up to date with
new trends in macrobiotic cooking and nutrition.
If your child has a history
of ear infections, oral thrush, digestive trouble, colic,
food allergies or other on-going problems you need to look
at their present diet. Dairy food, sugar, cold foods, sodas,
chicken, baked foods and excessive fruits can make these problems
worse. Again a varied macrobiotic diet is recommended, although
in some cases, certain foods may need to be restricted such
as baked foods, oily foods, wheat products, raw fruits and
salad, vinegars and some soy products until their system is
strengthened. Restricted foods can be slowly re-introduced
back into the diet at a later date.
Make sure your child is getting
plenty of sweet tasting vegetables such as squash, carrots,
cabbage, parsnips and onions. Lightly cooked leafy greens
like watercress are also extremely beneficial.
Sea vegetables provide important minerals and help to strengthen
the immune system. Nori sea vegetable is very good for children
and can be used on a regular basis.
Kombu powder with crushed
sesame seeds can be used sparingly as a strengthening remedy.
This condiment can be also be prepared with small dried fish
and is extremely beneficial for building strong teeth and
bones. Shiso powder and umeboshi are condiments that help
to create a healthy immune system. VERY SMALL amounts can
be given to your child to strengthen the system. Remember
that these condiments are salty and too much are harmful and
can cause, among other things, stunted growth, behavioral
problems and fussy eating habits.
Note on Herbs
Herbs have been used safely
all around the world since ancient times to prevent and treat
disease. Although I don't give my children any herbal supplements
as a rule, they have been known to strengthen a child's constitution
and make them more resistant to illness. Certain herbs, including
Echinacea, have been found to have remarkable immunological
effects. These herbs support the body's own process to stay
at the peak of vitality and prevent development of disease.
Create a Non-toxic Environment
Exposure to chemicals can damage
the immune system and make it more difficult to fight off
common infections and even more serious diseases such as cancer.
Our environments have become increasingly toxic. Even though
these toxins are everywhere you can take the steps to create
a healthy home environment and therefore reduce the amount
of chemicals your children are exposed to.
Today, there are affordable,
nontoxic alternatives to all lawn and garden pesticides and
wonderful natural household cleaners and personal care products.
Use natural fibers in your bedding, furniture and carpets
to create a cleaner, fresher environment with less static
electricity. Buy organic foods. This will greatly decrease
your child's overall exposure to pesticides and help to create
a healthier environment for everyone.
Avoid Unnecessary Antibiotics and Vaccines
Today, children are prescribed excessive amounts of antibiotics.
Antibiotics can seriously weaken a child's immune system and
also build up a resistance to the medicine itself. Vaccines
may provide immunity for a specific disease but they do not
increase overall immunity or create healthier children.
Many young children are
injected with nearly three-dozen doses of 10 different viral
and bacterial vaccines before the age of five, and this is
while the immune system is still developing, Such a huge stress
to the system is a major cause of chronic immune dysfunction
amongst children today. On the other hand, the parents of
unvaccinated children have observed how strong the immune
systems of their children appear to be.
A Healthy Home Life
"All you need is
Love!!" Love and attention are a wonderful way to boost
immunity. Children that grow up in a loving environment feel
more secure and happy.
Make sure you hold, hug,
rock, massage, nurse, touch and kiss your children regularly.
Studies show that laughter and positive thinking help to strengthen
immunity too. The more children laugh and enjoy life, the
better their immune function.
and unhappiness deplete the immune system and lower a child's
resistance to disease. Breastfeeding, daily baths and massage
can help to reduce stress and promote positive feelings in
Create a stable home environment
with daily routines. These include regular meals, baths, naps
and bed times. Eating meals together is extremely important
and will help your child to feel secure, safe and part of
Make sure your child has enough
sleep and goes to bed at a reasonable hour. Your child's body
regenerates, repairs and renews itself while sleeping. In
addition, it is important to include "quiet time"
as part of your child's day when they can unwind and learn
the value of being calm. Let your child listen to peaceful
music, which is stress relieving and further helps him to
feel relaxed and happy.
Give your child plenty of fresh
air. Go for walks in the woods, country or parks. Let your
child run, jump, dance and climb. Don't coddle your child.
If they want to run without a hat or gloves, let them do so.
Allow them to run barefoot on the grass and climb trees. Nature
is an excellent immune stimulator and being exposed in a happy,
healthy way does wonders to all aspects of your child's life.
At a Glance Ways to Strengthen
your Child's Immunity
Breastfeed your baby
Offer a wide variety of organic, natural foods
Create a non-toxic home environment
Avoid un-necessary vaccines and anti-biotics
Give your child lots of love and affection
Create routines in daily life
Eat together as a family
Make sure your child has enough sleep
Spend time outdoors in nature
Waxman began studying Oriental medicine in 1980 and
went on to specialize in macrobiotic cooking. She has lived
in Portugal, England and America and has trained cooks from
all over the world. Melanie is the mother of seven children.
She has cooked for international recording stars, fashion
designers, doctors, and business professionals and has helped
thousands of others to change their lifestyle and way of eating.
She has written a children's cook book; Mr. Hoppity's Color
Me Cook book for Kids, a series of self-published12 Cooklets
and has recently published Bless the Baby, a beautifully illustrated
book on the natural and traditional ways a mother can bond
with her newborn. Melanie is also a massage therapist and
Feng Shui consultant.