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General health

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Flip

Original poster

immune system boosters for under-fives

19 replies

nearlythree · 07/07/2006 11:52

I'd like some ideas for tried-and-tested immune system boosters for my dds, aged 2 and 4, who are always ill. Dd2 in particular has ended up in hospital twice, plus come October she'll be at pre-school so will be exposed to even more. And now we have ds so I want to keep him bug-free whilst he is so little. Any advice will be most welcome. TIA!

OP posts:

CADS · 07/07/2006 18:35

Hi nearlythree,

Was about to post the same thing myself. Ds is 2.4 years and has been sick, with 1 thing after the next, for 4wks.

Started with tonsilitis & 2 convulsions, last week it was H,F & M and today he has a fever (not sure why yet).

I thought things would get better in summer but it hasn't.

Hope someone has a soultion for us.

Original poster

nearlythree · 07/07/2006 20:44

Hi, CADS! Better give this a bump for both of us then!

OP posts:

mum2oliver · 07/07/2006 21:51

I childmind a little boy who has a constant cough.His doctor has reffered him to a paedatrician(?)The parents visited the doctor so many times before being reffered and are now very disliked by the receptionists at the doctors surgery for being so pushy to get emergency appointments.
Has now been seen by the paedatrician and he is being given boosters for his immune system and he hasnt had the cough since.
If you are concerned go to your doctor and ask about this.Its poss that all your children could be the same.hth

Original poster

nearlythree · 07/07/2006 22:11

What kind of boosters? I didn't know there was anything medically available, I just thought it was alternatives like garlic etc.

OP posts:

bubbles4 · 07/07/2006 22:34

TRY MINADEX TONIC FROM THE CHEMIST

mum2oliver · 08/07/2006 09:37

Not sure of exact details but he goes to the hospital to have an injection and he cant be poorly to have it.Il ask more about it on monday and post you back.

Original poster

nearlythree · 08/07/2006 21:47

Thanks so much, mum2oliver.

Thanks, bubbles, too.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 08/07/2006 21:50

DD1 is having her boosters at 3.5 years b/c the last thing I want is that poor kid picking up measles or whooping cough at nursery, especially b/c DD2 is too young for MMR till next year.

We eat food w/lots of garlic, she takes Floradix vitamins, and I give her elderberry extract in her juice/water dilution come Autumn.

I'm also going to try Airborne.

morocco · 08/07/2006 21:55

this probably sounds twee, but there is a theory that kids who get sick a lot in childhood have stronger immune systems as adults, if that makes you feel any better?
we give aloe vera and flax seed oil (that also is great for omega 3 and absorbing calcium). if you believe in homeopathy there are tablets with echinacea in that you could try too

expatinscotland · 09/07/2006 14:08

'this probably sounds twee, but there is a theory that kids who get sick a lot in childhood have stronger immune systems as adults, if that makes you feel any better? '

I tend to disagree. I think some people honestly just throw stuff off or don't catch as much, and from what I've seen this tendancy can run in families.

Some people seem to be made of very tough stuff indeed.

noddyholder · 09/07/2006 14:26

I think it is better to go with the illness and as expat says they will be tougher the older they get.

Chandra · 09/07/2006 14:29

Onion (not on their own, poor kids) are good to avoid colds.

Original poster

nearlythree · 09/07/2006 21:07

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Expat, do you then think that boosters are a good thing for kids that tend to get ill? Dd1 is about to have her first MMR but am not sure about dd2 as she has been so sick. Does floradix upset your dd's tummy (all the vits we've tried do?) Where do you get your elderberry from or do you see a herbalist? (Sorry, loads of questions...)

We do try to include lots of things like garlic and onions, and also vitaminC rich foods, but dd2 is a picky eater - IMO this is a major factor in her getting unwell.

As to the immune system thing, I do agree to a point that it helps, but I also think that children do need a bit of a break every now and then in order to build themselves up before the next bout of illness. And with ds only being 7 weeks, he needs to be protected for a bit.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 09/07/2006 21:11

DD1 has taken Floradix for years and hasn't upset her tum at all.

As for the veg - put it in a spag bol sauce and then puree it w/a hand blender. I use the hand blender LOTS to get veg into DD1. I also do fruit juice and smoothie ice lollies and bake w/fruit a lot.

Pasta sauces are a good way to get the veg in b/c most like pastas. Or sandwich spreads. That's another good way - humus, guacamole, pesto, etc.

I get elderberry tincture from Neal's Yard. They're online!

LOTS of fresh air every day, no matter the weather. We have NO garden or outdoor space, so it's trickier, but it's so important!

Mojomummy · 09/07/2006 21:31

I go for acidophilus, improve the good gut bacteria - solgar do a good one. (Don't bother with the yogurt drinks). Reduce any artifical foods, lots of (organic preferably) fruit & veg. Diluted juice with meals to maximise iron intake.

Agree with pureeing the veg to get into sauces + garlic + onions.

Lots of fresh air & good nights sleep.

Are you sure you want to give them MMR injections if you think their immune system is low ? Might be worth seeking out some alternative therapies - my friend's daughter was always having problems with colds & glue ear. She saw a kinesologist which suggested she should cut out/down on dairy. Had amazing effect on her general health & then she was able to slowly re-introduce dairy.

I'll be checking out the elderberry tincture. Also bees propolis is excellent - tastes foul, DH has used to & been amazed by it.

expatinscotland · 09/07/2006 21:37

Local honey, too. I drizzle it in Dd1's porridge

Mojomummy · 09/07/2006 22:01

yes, local honey is great for hayfever. Also manuka honey is very good ( apart from for your teeth!) has quite a strong taste though.

Yummymum1 · 10/07/2006 21:21

A friend swears by echinacea for her children during the winter months and last winter neither if them caught any of the bugs going around at school.Could be coincidence but who knows?

Original poster

nearlythree · 10/07/2006 22:03

Thank you! Thank you!

So is it safe to give herbal remedies to children under five? I have loads of books on the subject but have never really felt confident enough to do it. Should I see a herbalist? What about aromatherapy? Can I burn oils with a newborn around? Dd2 (her again!) doesn't like honey, but dd1 does, so at least one of them can get some protection from it! And dd2 did guzzle tons of home-made garlic bread ofor dinner tonight.

Thanks again, this is really important to me as dd2 has been so poorly and I don't want ds to get sick, and I feel so much better knowing there is stuff I can do.

OP posts:

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