My two year old started day care about 4 months ago. She has always had ear infections growing up but since daycare i swear she is sick all the time. she just got off a round of antibiotics for ear infection and chest infection and she came down with a fever of 102 last night. Nose is really runny, eyes are runny still has a cough, though not as often. What can i do to boost her immune system. She isnt vaxed so of course my family think she is always sick because of that. I always thought vaxing would lower her immune system. Shes had two shots as a baby and both times got sick right after. so i stopped. and it wasnt combined shots. they were single and far apart. Anyways, any help here for my lil one? I feel so bad for her. and I am missing a ton of work because shes sick like every other week.
2 year old unvax sick a lot
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Chronic EIs, to me, suggest either a dairy intolerance or the need for chiropractic/cranial-sacral work, or both. If you've got a dairy intolerance, removing that stress from the body can help a lot.
Next, I'd consider some zinc. A fair number of kids stop having repeated health issues (EIs or illnesses or whatever) with more zinc. Consider vitamin D as well, both yours (how much she started out with from you) and your diet and lifestyle (and if your cholesterol is really low, you won't make a lot in the sun).
And if she's been on antibiotics a lot, I'd also look into a probiotic. We do it with homemade kimchee, it's shockingly easy to make, but sauerkraut would work too, or a supplement if that's what you wanted to start with. A lot of immune function is related to gut health.
Next, I'd consider some zinc. A fair number of kids stop having repeated health issues (EIs or illnesses or whatever) with more zinc. Consider vitamin D as well, both yours (how much she started out with from you) and your diet and lifestyle (and if your cholesterol is really low, you won't make a lot in the sun).
And if she's been on antibiotics a lot, I'd also look into a probiotic. We do it with homemade kimchee, it's shockingly easy to make, but sauerkraut would work too, or a supplement if that's what you wanted to start with. A lot of immune function is related to gut health.
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This is a copy of a recent post of mine regarding ear infections and immune system.
Pat
Quote:
I would do whole food probiotics, cod liver oil, magnesium, vit. C, zinc, coconut oil, bone broths, green juices. Support the immune system. The gut is 70% of our immune system. Antibiotics damage the microbial balance in the gut.
Basically, you have to heal the gut to strengthen the immune system. Check out the "Healing the Gut-cheat sheet" at the top of the forum. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=434071
Antibiotics rarely address ear infections, which are generally viral in origin. Nor are they more effective than watchful waiting, unless it is a double ear infection in a child younger than age 2.
Here is more information regarding avoiding drug-resistant bacteria: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...5&postcount=12 Basically, UNNECESSARY antibiotics are the cause, not avoiding antibiotics when NOT needed.
HTH,
Pat
Pat
Quote:
| Diary intolerance is the number one cause of fluid build up in ears. "In one study an astonishing 86% of the children tested became free of ear problems once they came off dairy food." http://www.safekids.co.uk/EarProblemsAndAllergies.html http://www.healthychild.com/ear-infe...ternatives.htm http://www.vitacost.com/science/conc...infection.html http://www.femail.com.au/ear-infections-truestar.htm Additionally, I was just reading that chiropractic adjustments could help with ear infections. I didn't know. Breast milk in the ear or garlic oil is supposed to help too. Also, add vitamin C and whole food probiotics, such as yogurt for the immune system. "In an October study in the medical journal The Lancet, researchers found that antibiotics for ear infections are only beneficial to children under the age of 2 with both ears infected. Study leader Dr. Maroeska Rovers, of the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands, said that researchers found that in most other cases, watchful waiting is OK." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16140545/#storyContinued http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ear-infections/EI99999 http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/...ics-vs-waiting "Evidence has been building over the years showing most ear infections resolve on their own and antibiotics do little or nothing to speed the process. And, overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. The most important factor in treatment for ear infections is pain relief." A landmark study published in Pediatrics has shown that treating ear infections with antibiotics has no benefit when compared to doing nothing. (McCormick 2005). http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-heal...-Not-Necessary My recommendation is classical homeopathy. A friend's daughter had six rounds of antibiotics for ear infections and was scheduled for tube insertion. She saw the homeopath and gave her daughter the proscribed remedy. On return to the physician prior to the surgery, her ears were no longer infected. And she has had no ear infections since. Our classical homeopathist first learned about homeopathy for her son with ear infections. Then she became schooled about homeopathy. I am a complete believer. Although, I still do not understand how it works. We are all on constitutional remedies and are rarely ever sick. Another suggestion is Grapefruit Seed Extract. (Not grape seed.) GSE is also a natural anti-inflammatory. It is give orally, diluted in water. It tastes horrible though. Here are some more ideas: Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Collodial silver is a natural antibiotic. Vit C-large doses (natural fever reducer, iirc) Cod liver oil- essential fatty acids help the immune system (We use Nordic Naturals -strawberry and our son loves it!) Chamommilla is good for restlessness, discomfort, insomnia, unbearable pain; fever; child is impatient and angry. Zinc lozenges help the immune system Echinecea- We use Sambucol for Kids Probiotics- for immune support, digestive system is 70% of immune system. Many of the serious side effects of cp are associated with a damaged gut, secondary to antibiotic use. Avoid antibiotics with cp and other viral illnesses. And Dairy is the #1 culprit of fluid and mucus production leading to an environment conducive to ear infections. Here is some info about homeopathic remedies (and treating ear infections). * Aconite: Pain that comes on suddenly after a shock or chill. * Belladonna: Severe throbbing pain; child is oversensitive and cranky. * Chamomilla: Unbearable pain; fever; child is impatient and angry. * Lycopodium: Pain on right side only; stopped-up nose; cold extremities. * Magnesia phosphorica (or "homeopathic aspirin"): Pain reduced by the application of heat or pressure. * Mercurius solubilis: Pain accompanied by swollen glands and sweating. |
Basically, you have to heal the gut to strengthen the immune system. Check out the "Healing the Gut-cheat sheet" at the top of the forum. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=434071
Antibiotics rarely address ear infections, which are generally viral in origin. Nor are they more effective than watchful waiting, unless it is a double ear infection in a child younger than age 2.
Here is more information regarding avoiding drug-resistant bacteria: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...5&postcount=12 Basically, UNNECESSARY antibiotics are the cause, not avoiding antibiotics when NOT needed.
HTH,
Pat
Thank you to both of you! I had just found that thread and I plan on heading to the local Henrys Market for probiotics and garlic oil and the such. I also want to cut down on her dairy intake. Does that include cheese? This kid loves cheese. and she drinks milk all day. I was thinking of switching to rice or almond or soy. what would you recommend?
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Cheese has 10x casein of milk.
I'd suggest making your own almond milk or hemp milk. You just need a blender, basically. You can soak the almonds overnight to make them soft and more nutrient bio-available. Don't know much about hemp milk, but I hear it is mild and easy to make.
I'd suggest coconut water kefir. http://www.weim.net/homeovet/Docs/water%20kefir.pdf
Or smoothies with almonds, coconut and water kefir.
ETA, I wouldn't give rice or soy milk. Both are high in sugar and soy is high in phytoestrogens. Often boxed, commercial "milks" have other allergen issues for many folks.
Pat
I'd suggest making your own almond milk or hemp milk. You just need a blender, basically. You can soak the almonds overnight to make them soft and more nutrient bio-available. Don't know much about hemp milk, but I hear it is mild and easy to make.
I'd suggest coconut water kefir. http://www.weim.net/homeovet/Docs/water%20kefir.pdf
Or smoothies with almonds, coconut and water kefir.
ETA, I wouldn't give rice or soy milk. Both are high in sugar and soy is high in phytoestrogens. Often boxed, commercial "milks" have other allergen issues for many folks.
Pat
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