Is there anything you can do to strengthen a baby's immune system (apart from breastfeeding)

[emkana]

Ds picks up absolutely every bug going, he hasn't been completely well since he was born 16 weeks ago. This might be related to his genetic condition, it probably is, but I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help him fight off all these infections? Apart from breastfeeding?
How much difference does it make do you think that I take him to toddler groups etc.? Would it be wiser to stay away? (Even though that would seem very unfair on dd )

i was actually going to suggest toddler groups and let him get exposed to germs! If he has an older sibling, they will bring it all home from nursery etc.. anyway...

I suppose being exposed to germs all the time will hopefully make him stronger in the long run, it's just bl*dy hard work atm.

oh i know....DS had a cold within 2 weeks of being born, then had 18 months of colds and snot and bugs..after that - rarely ill. He's 7 now and has been to the docs twice in the last 2 years i think!

it 's like they say that you shouldnt go overboard using antibac stuff all the time as we need exposure to a certain level of 'good' dirt and bacteria

no comfort when your LO is poorly , poor you

((hug))

Probiotics?

I wouldn't take him, em, unless they're things you're doing with your older kids anyway. I can't believe in the long run it's going to make a significant difference - if he's visiting hospital regularly he's going to be getting all sorts of 'opportunities' from that, without positively inviting illness. It's so exhausting for you, I think you are well-justified in putting your own needs first here.

if you are bf you can try getting lots of vit c yourself. last year i didn't and dd and i were very snotty. she in full time nursery and me in full time teaching at secondary. this year (still bf at nearly 18 months) i am drinking a huge glass of oj every morning and 6 weeks into the term and she and i have had only a slight cold. so far, so good. for both of us.

sorry emkana - have i missed something - your DS goes to hospital ? have i been flippant unintentionally?

lulunaticmama - he's been to hospital twice, yes, but don't worry, I didn't think you were being flippant.

lulunaticmama, don't worry - I don't think you've said anything out of line. emkana's ds has a lot of issues and an undiagnosed genetic condition - at least I think diagnosis is still pending. I think emkana's having a - perfectly justified - attack of 'how can I, as his mother, DO something to help him?'. (I have similar feelings often about my dh's condition, not that I would suggest our feelings are in the same league, they are not).

thank you emkana and tribpot - i would have hated you to have thought i was being all ' oh its only a few germs ' about it!!!! thank you

The thing is as he's undiagnosed as yet I don't know whether to take the approach "it will make him stronger in the long run" or whether to be more cautious

I would say keep him away from the toddler groups. If he's not that strong already, having to be subjected to unnecessary germs etc isn't going to help him/an already struggling immune system.

I would just say, look after yourself & keep up with the breastfeeding. Ref supplements, 15mg zinc would be a good idea for you - help your immune system & hopefully getting to him via your milk.

Exposure to germs is a good way to build up the system.

as others have said, dont go overboard on anti bac....try just plain baby wipes to clean most things or just warm water on clean cloth/sponge....would avoid toddler groups too till he's a bit stronger, there are so many germs there, and at least at home you can sort of control it.