Question
How can you boost your child’s immunity, and which health supplements should be taken? Can drinking some Platycodon grandiflorus root daily prevent colds? Are there any side effects on the body?
Answer
To strengthen a baby’s resistance, the following aspects can be addressed:
- Strengthen physical fitness through sunbathing, airbathing, and waterbathing exercises to improve overall health. Exercises should be progressive, starting from simple to complex, and gradually increase in intensity. Bathing can promote blood circulation in the skin, enhance metabolism, and strengthen the child’s constitution. However, during dry winter weather, bathing every day can make the baby’s skin dry. It is sufficient to bathe twice a week.
- Dress appropriately; do not dress children based on adult preferences. For example, if an adult is afraid of cold, they should not dress the child excessively warm. Conversely, if an adult is afraid of heat, they should not dress the child too little, as this is very inappropriate. Some parents, fearing that their children will catch a cold from being cold, always dress their children in many clothes. After children are active and sweat a lot, not changing clothes in time can easily lead to catching a cold. Dressing should be done so that the child does not sweat and their hands and feet are warm.
- Practice proper nutrition; during infancy, breast milk feeding is preferred as it contains secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) that can enhance respiratory resistance in infants. Also, timely introduction of complementary foods should follow the principle of gradual introduction. Ensure balanced nutrition.
- Maintain fresh indoor air by frequently opening windows for ventilation and air exchange. Open windows for ventilation at least twice a day for 20 minutes each time to reduce the chance of respiratory infections. Keep the indoor temperature around 20 degrees Celsius and humidity at 50%-60%.
- Minimize visits to public places, especially during flu outbreaks. Try to avoid taking children to crowded public places such as shopping malls and supermarkets, and do not visit sick people’s homes to prevent cross-infection.
- Avoid contact with upper respiratory tract infection patients: