With news about the Coronavirus developing daily, you’re probably asking yourself what precautions you can take to protect yourself and your family. According to the CDC, it’s important to follow everyday preventative measures, just like you would normally during cold and flu season:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and if soap and water isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Pediatrician Katie Friedman of Forever Freckled also shared some tips with us for boosting your baby’s immune system during cold and flu season:
1. Focus on foods with immune boosting properties
A healthy diet is imperative to helping your little one ward off any illness. Fruits and vegetables with antioxidants and phytonutrients like vitamin C and carotenoids can help boost your mini’s immune system. Opt for strawberries, blueberries, oranges, green beans, and carrots. Leafy greens, like Kale and Spinach are rich in Vitamin A, another powerful immune supporter to incorporate into your mini’s diet. Our Babyblends are formulated for your little one’s nutritional and health needs, and we have a wide range of blends specifically designed for immune support, like our Sweet Potato Carrot and Spinach Mango Banana Hemp.
2. Introduce vitamins and natural remedies
Aside from feeding your little one immune-supporting foods, they can also get an extra boost from nutrient-rich, clean natural remedies like our Sniffle Shield, which contains zinc, vitamins C & E, prebiotics, and organic elderberry. Elderberry is Katie’s go-to for cold and flu season natural remedies. “Elderberries are rich in anthocyanins, pigments that boost the production of immune cytokines, helping the body defend against disease and illness. Elderberry also contains a potent antiviral agent called antivirin. The antivirin not only helps prevent viruses from invading cells but also prevents viruses from replicating,” she said.
3. Get A Good Night’s Sleep
We all know how important sleep is to our overall health and babies are no different. Our little ones are more vulnerable to illness when they’re tired and run down, since our bodies recharge when we sleep. That means you too, mama! Stress and worry can impact your immune system, so try to focus on keeping yourself strong, just like you are for your little one.
As always, make sure to speak with your pediatrician about what’s best for your mini and stay updated on precautionary measures by checking the CDC’s website.
Need a hand with boosting your babe’s immune system through food? Little Spoon has you covered with a rotating menu of 100% organic blends that are specifically designed for your little one’s nutritional and developmental needs.
Looking to connect with other parents navigating this new normal? Join our digital community for resources, unfiltered conversation and a daily dose of laughs to keep us all going.
