Suggestions for building immune systems in my kids?

[rosesnivy]

Help! We recently moved to a new state and since that move, less than 2 months ago, my kids have had about three colds. It seems like at least one of them always has a runny nose, congestion, a cough, or some such symptom after the major cold symptoms are over. I'm dreading the winter if this is going to be the way it goes. There could be an allergy component, as we've had some allergies in the past, and we've been told that this area is pretty bad for allergies.

I give 500mg vit C a day and a probiotic. They are 5.5, 3.5, and 15 months. We homeschool, but are around a lot more people regularly than before we moved.

Suggestions please! I don't want us to be sick all winter long

Thank you! Michelle

[SandyMom]

Do you guys take a good probiotic?
Good vit D levels?

Probiotics For Boosting Immunity

Vitamin D For Boosting Immunity

Sounds like it could be environmental allergy?

[Cascadian]

Homemade organic bone broth, frozen into cubes and put into everything from soups to pastas to gravies...

[violetflapjack]

I really like Reishi mushroom tea for an immune boost. It is pretty bitter, but can be mixed with other things. I've had it before blended into a chai flavored tea with milk, which was probably the most palatable blend I've had.
The microalgae (spirulina and chlorella) also have a supportive effect on the immune system. They can be mixed into hot cereal, smoothies, nut butter, yogurt, etc.

Turkey tail mushrooms too! These would be brewed into a tea, similar to Reishi.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Honestly, OP, you are doing everything I am doing. And we have done pretty good so far this season.

So I must ask, how often were your kids sick before you moved? Were they in daycare and/or public school, being exposed to yuckiness regularly?

My kids both have been in daycare since 7 weeks of age, and I gotta say, we have had some of the nastiest stomach bugs and roten nasty colds, requiring nebulizers, you can immagine. That said, I firmly believe that with each illness, their immune systems got that much stronger.

This season so far, they have both gotten colds. But with the extra vit c I giving them and the probiotics, they are more tolerable then they have EVER been. Like they got the same cold my husband had (Who was DYING one night) but they fought it off MUCH better then he did. . Just a theory I guess.

[pianojazzgirl]

This is what we do:

1) Make sure the kids are getting enough sleep (try pushing the bedtime a little earlier and see if they'll fall asleep at that time).
2) give good Cod Liver Oil (Blue Ice) or Vit D3 + fish oil (for us this depends on where our budget is at)
3) give probiotics
4) give a daily dose of elderberry (my kids each get half an Immunity Take care lozenge a day) which you can up if they're coming down with something.
5) minimize sugar intake.
6) be on top of handwashing.

[ameliabedelia]

I have found that Vitamin D makes a huge difference as far as upper respiratory infections. If you can't get natural exposure from the sun, the D3 supplements are very important.

However, I really think that sunlight exposure is so important. You said you homeschool, so while it's still warm, I would try to make a point of spending time outside in the sun with at least arms/legs/faces exposed (without sunscreen.)