Does illness really help build their immune systems?

[Plateofcrumbs]

People keep saying that babies catching colds and coughs etc 'builds their immune systems' - is this true or one of those things people say to make dealing with a snotty, Calpol-soaked infant more bearable, or is there truth in it?

(DS has barely had a sniffle in half a year, so wondering if he is missing out!)

Of course it helps build the immune system. The body needs to recognise all sorts of diseases to build up the immune system so it can attack anything that comes within its reach. It's what vaccinations do - just the same.

Yes . Once they have that particular strain their body builds antibodies . I had this discussion with a locum gp the other day and my ds has had a particularly bad time of it recently , constantly picking up viruses he's pretty much been ill the whole winter

Yes, but I wouldn't go around trying to make DS sick to improve his immune system.

Oh yes!

My DD went to nursery from 9 months and got every bug going (inc chicken pox) for about 16 months. Now she barely gets anything apart from a slight cold. Her other friends who attend nursery are similar now, those who did not are now starting preschool and getting every bug going!