How to build immunity

Your child’s immunity is in a rapid development phase and is challenged by his environment and kindergarten or school, so it is important to ensure he gets the right start through the right nutritional support.

When functioning properly, the immune system is fit to fight disease, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Children are continuously exposed to germs and microbes, but exposure does not always mean a child will get sick. A healthy immune system supports a child’s natural defenses against disease. Conversely, a child with a weakened immune system is vulnerable or more susceptible to colds, flu and more serious infections.

What can you do to help your child build a strong, active immune system?

Young children get colds quite often because their immune system is still developing. However, there are steps you can take to help reduce their number of sick days. Environmental influencers of the immunity are:

• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Exercise

Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential to develop and keep the immune system healthy and strong. Nutritional deficiencies may be responsible for chronic immune problems as it is easier for bacteria or viruses to take hold when important nutrients are missing. Critical nutrients that stimulate a strong immune system include vitamins A, C, E and prebiotics. Incorporating foods to boost toddler immunity can be a great way to ensure that your child receives these important nutrients and maintains a strong immune system.

Growing Up Milk provides the right quality and quantity of nutrients during your child’s intense period of growth: It is fortified with vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, vitamin D, Iron, Iodine and Zinc) to support toddlers’ specific needs. It contains a blend of prebiotics to support the immune system as well as prebiotic fibers which help reduce the likelihood of constipation. Growing Up Milk also contains LCPs, a type of healthy unsaturated fat essential for brain and visual development.

Growing-up milk provides a wide range of benefits to complement a healthy diet, as opposed to adult’s milk which is not recommended for a child younger than 6 years as it contains higher levels of sodium and proteins, lower levels of some minerals & vitamins and also lacks prebiotics and LCPs which are key for healthy brain development.

Sleep

Sleep deprivation can lower your child’s immune system; this will make him more susceptible to being affected by viruses and bacteria. Your child’s schedule can be busy; most kids juggle sports and after school activities on top of school work. It is important that kids enjoy and learn through these activities, however these need to be balanced with sufficient amounts of sleep, which is critical to staying strong and healthy.

Exercise

Exercise can increase a child’s number of white blood cells and boost white blood cells’ ability to fight off illnesses.

Aptamil Junior Growing Up milk contains a unique blend of selected ingredients: patented prebiotics, iron, Zinc, vitamins A,C,D which naturally contribute to a healthy immune system and brain and visual development meeting the nutritional needs of your child.

• Prebiotics support the immune system (stronger immunity means less ear infections, less gastro intestinal infection, less respiratory infections, reduced use of antibiotics, reduced fever episodes)
• Prebiotics reduce the likelihood of constipation.
• It contains LCPs, essential for brain and visual development.