Natural Boosters for Babies & Toddlers Immune Systems

As cold and flu season is in full force (and how could you forget about that ever nagging global pandemic), your kids will probably be encountering a few more germs, bugs, and viruses in the classroom or daycare center. You’re probably wondering what you can do to keep your kids as healthy as possible. 

There’s good news for parents like you: there are many foods that offer toddler and baby immune support. And they’re pretty delicious as well! Feeding your baby or toddler these foods won’t ensure that they’ll never get sick - but it will help them fight off more bugs and recover faster when they do fall ill. Here’s a list of a few of the most powerful natural immune boosters for babies and toddlers to try. 

Yogurt 

A healthy gut microbiome is essential to a strong immune system for everyone, including babies and toddlers. And yogurt is a great way to support a healthy gut. It is a good source of probiotics (more on these below!) which helps the good bacteria in your child’s stomach thrive and stay in balance. 

Yogurt is also a good source of protein, which helps support your child’s immune system, and even has a small amount of zinc, which can help them fight off colds. Just be sure to offer them yogurt that is low in sugar, free of too many additives, and full of “live and active cultures” to get the maximum benefit. 

Avocados 

Chances are high that your baby or toddler loves avocados - they’re a tasty and healthy option! Besides tasting good, they also contain many benefits. They help boost your baby’s immune system because they’re an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E which all provide an immune system boost. 

They’re also a source of healthy fat, which is important for baby brain development and can help your child’s body absorb important nutrients. And with their high fiber content, they’re an excellent prebiotic as well, feeding the good bacteria in your child’s stomach. 

Sweet Potatoes 

Sweet potatoes are not just delicious - they also pack a powerful immune-boosting punch. That’s because they’re excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which can be a helper to your child’s immune system. 

Since they contain plenty of fiber as well, they’re also a good source of prebiotics which help support a healthy gut environment. And their sweetness makes them a popular food with many babies and toddlers - an easy win! 

Carrots 

Like sweet potatoes, carrots also contain high amounts of vitamin C to help support and boost your child’s immune system naturally. And they contain high levels of beta-carotene, which supports your child’s mucus membrane and makes it harder for germs to enter their nose and throat. They also contain plenty of fiber and other vitamins and minerals, meaning they’re an all-around healthy choice for your baby or toddler. 

Probiotics 

Probiotics are an important part of maintaining a healthy environment in your child’s gut. They help keep the mix of bacteria in the stomach balanced on the side of the good and helpful bacteria. 

Probiotics are found in fermented foods, such as pickles, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Apple cider vinegar also contains plenty of probiotics. And yogurt is another excellent source of these little helpers. 

Prebiotics 

Adding in plenty of prebiotics, such as avocados, sweet potatoes, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables to your child’s diet also helps feed those probiotics so they can support a healthy balance of bacteria. Prebiotics are plant sources that have plenty of fiber for those good bacteria to feed on, so be sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains to increase your child’s gut health. 

Conclusion 

Helping to boost your baby or toddler’s immune system is important as kids go back to school and are in an environment where they can easily pick up germs and all sorts of bugs. Feeding them these natural immune boosters will help them stay as healthy as possible throughout the winter as they connect with their playmates. And don’t forget about other non-food immune boosters like getting plenty of sleep and physical exercise! 

Looking for a way to get your baby or toddler to eat plenty of delicious, immune-boosting foods without spending hours cooking? Tiny Organics and our organic plant-based products are here to help!