[Sarahfina]

I feel like DD 19 months is always getting sick. She JUST got over a 6 week horrible cold that really set her off from her usual self and last night we had a terrible-nurse-all-night night and she's woken up full of snot, red eyes, and swollen glands. She is not behaving overly sick, but she obviously is coming down with something else AGAIN!

I'm curious what all you wise mamas do for your little ones to boost their immunity. We dont give sugar, we have a pretty healthy diet, her sleep is generally okay although could be better, but I dont give her any vitimins etc...any tricks you all know of? And suggestions? And what is your immediate responce to an oncoming cold? Whats the first things you do to treat your little one?

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Sarahfina

 

[TanyaS]

We use Sodium Ascorbate for immune support.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=353318

We also eat a variety of whole foods, lots of water, and we don't vaccinate.

 

[myjo]

ITA with TanyaS. Also, if your dd is not sleeping well, it can really affect her adrenal glands, which means it will affect her growth and her immune system.

Try reading the No Cry Sleep Solution. It's really excellent.

Also, try giving liquid or powdered magnesium right before bed. You could also try an Epsom salt bath before bed. Both encourage better sleep.

Immunity boosting foods and herbs: kefir, nettle and clover tea, echinacea, long simmered bone broth, astragalus.

She might also be anemic or iron deficient. You might have her examined. A good liquid B-complex with iron would help with that. Somthing like Floradix is good, but it might be a little tricky figuring out the dose for a 19 mo old.

 

[Ex Libris]

Definitely sodium ascorbate. Also, at the first sign of a cold, I give ds sambucol (elderberry). It's knocked out infections every time. I also give him high vitamin cod liver oil daily and bone broths frequently.

 

[Alohamelly]

Probiotics. Get a good one for kids and give it to her every day.

 

[Sarahfina]

I did look through some of that thread on sodium ascorbate but unfortunately I dont have to time right now to read through all 22 pages, although I'm working on it- can anyone tell me what sodium ascorbate IS exactly, I've never heard of it- also is there a good brand to buy? I noticed a few different ones mentioned. Do you take it regularly or just when a cold is hitting?

Thanks in advance!

Sarahfina

 

[myjo]

Sodium ascorbate is vitamin C buffered with salt. It doesn't cause as much digestive disturbance. It's very good for people with adrenal fatigue because people with this problem tend to need more salt because they have an electrolyte imbalance and the salt helps correct this. The adrenals have a very high need for vitamin C as well.

 

[Gitti]

Is this child vaccinated? Just asking because vaccines certainly compromise the immune system.

 

[MyLittleWonders]

We do a high quality cod liver oil daily; the boys often get magnesium a few times a week. We drink raw milk (no pastuerized milk), which is high in enzymes and probiotics. We also do a lot of yogurt and two of them love kefir smoothies. Lots of fresh, raw fruit and whole foods. If they seem to be getting something (which is pretty rare), we do Sambucol, extra vitamin C (sodium ascorbate or Acerola powder), and if they'll do it, echinacea. We also use homeopathics to support the immune system.

You didn't mention it, so I'm not sure, but we don't use an OTC drugs - when they do come down with something we let it run it's course in order to help build their immune system rather than supress.

My suggestions for boosting and maintaining a healthy immune system is magnesium, probiotics (better to get them straight through homemade yogurt or kefir or raw milk), cod liver oil, and vitamin C supplementation as needed. We don't do multivitamins here, but do supplement things as needed, if that makes sense.