Some people do not realize that the Covid-19 virus does not only attack adults, but also children. Although our children look fine, but boosting the body’s immunity is also very important. That way, various kinds of diseases will not easily attack children. In the new normal era like today, some people are able to carry out their activities as usual. However, they still have to implement the health protocols as recommended by the government. After all, Covid-19 can infect various walks of life and that includes children.
You need to understand that the immune system in children is still not perfect. Over time, their immune system should be fully formed. Well, to be able to improve the immune system in children, here are the reviews.
Always Fulfill Their Nutritional Needs
For newborns, the most appropriate nutrition is to provide breast milk. Breast milk contains many nutrients such as antibodies and also immunoglobulin A or IgA. These nutrients play a very important role in protecting the body from being easily exposed to bacteria and viruses.
When the child is about 6 months old, the mother’s milk is no longer able to meet the nutritional requirements. You have to start giving MPASI which is certainly highly nutritious and balanced. Some of the nutrients that must be prioritized are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vegetables and fruits.
Give Enough Rest
Children should be given adequate rest. When children sleep, the damaged body cells will regenerate. Conversely, when children lack sleep, the body does not have the opportunity to form new cells. Babies need about 18 hours of sleep. Then, when you enter the age of a toddler, you need about 12 to 13 hours of sleep. When children are five years old and over, they need about 10 hours of sleep a day.
Always Teach Clean and Healthy Living Behavior
Children should always be accustomed to living clean and healthy. This of course will become a habit into adulthood. One of the clean living behaviors is to always wash your hands with soap and running water.
The habit of washing hands must be done after touching objects and also before eating. If there is no water or soap, it can be replaced with a hand sanitizer that has 60 percent alcohol.
Invite Children to Exercise
Some people certainly already understand that exercise is one way to increase the body’s immune system. Well, invite the children to participate in sports. During a pandemic like this, do 150 to 300 minutes of exercise a week. Sports activities can also be interspersed with games such as cycling or playing ball.
Regularly Eat Vegetables and Fruits
Vegetables and fruits are very important for the body. The content of vitamins and nutrients in it is very suitable to increase endurance. On average, children are always difficult if given vegetables or fruits. Therefore, you have to be creative so that children are willing to consume it.
Provide Additional Vitamins
The last way is to provide additional vitamins such as supplements. Currently, there are many vitamins in the form of supplements for children. To be more convincing, you should first consult with your doctor so that the use of supplements can be maximized.
That’s how to increase the body’s immune in children. Hopefully this article can provide benefits.