What are the best child vitamins for your little one’s immune system?

Ever feel like your little one catches every bug out there? Growing a robust immune system might require a little help from the vitamin ‘immune team’ – let’s talk child vitamins!

What is the Immune System?

The term immune system is known by most of us, but what exactly is it? The official definition is a complex network of cells, tissues, and cell products that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogens. The immune system incorporates the entire body from the skin through to the digestive system. Children are exposed to a wide range of bugs, mainly through close contact at school, and these bugs get passed on throughout the classroom and often end up with the parents getting sick!

One way we can break (or reduce the intensity) of this chain of events is to provide children with the ingredients to keep a strong immune system and be able to ward off bugs that they get exposed to. It’s always advisable for the child to stay at home if unwell (and not spread the bug), and importantly speed up their recovery.

How can we support our kids’ immune systems?

The key pillars of maintaining healthy immunity are a balanced diet, good quality (quantity) of sleep, and nutritional supplements.

Diet– ensuring your child eats plenty of veggies, fruits, protein, and healthy carbs is a great start on the way to a healthy immune system. Sugary foods, sweets, and chocolates are fine in smaller quantities, but overdoing these foods can deplete the immune systems.

Sleep – this is the time that the body has an opportunity to rest, recover, and grow. Children need good quality sleep to maintain healthy cells that help to keep them strong and resilient to bugs and viruses.

Nutritional supplements help to provide key vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, B, D, Zinc & Iron which help to support the immune system. Whilst the diet should provide all the nutrients that kids require, most parents struggle to get their children to eat a fully nutritious diet. This is where child vitamins can provide key missing nutrients that can help keep kids healthy and at school! Many of these nutrients have multiple benefits, for example, Iron – supports immunity as well as cognitive function, and vitamins B & C help the nervous system as well as immunity. These key vitamins and minerals are particularly important during the winter months as more bugs circulate and we spend more time indoors

Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin

First up, we have the superstar of vitamins—Vitamin D. It’s crucial for your child’s bone health and immune system.

The NHS recommends that children over the age of 1 year need a daily dose of 10mcg of vitamin D a day.

– Why It’s Important: Helps absorb calcium – vitally important for growing children and support the immune system.

– How to Get It: A daily vitamin D drop or spray, or as part of a multivitamin, especially during those gloomy UK winters when sunlight is scarce.

Vitamin C: The Immunity Builder

Vitamin C isn’t just for warding off colds—it helps with the absorption of iron and supports the immune system. Plus, it’s a powerful antioxidant.

– Why It’s Important: Boosts the immune system and helps iron absorption.

– How to Get It: Offer pureed fruits like oranges, strawberries, and mangoes. Veggies like broccoli and sweet potatoes are great too!

Vitamin A: The Vision Champion

Vitamin A is essential for healthy vision, immune function, and cell growth. It’s one of those vitamins that’s super important right from the start.

– Why It’s Important: Supports vision, immune health, and cell growth.

– How to Get It: Offer orange and yellow fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and apricots.

B Vitamins: The All-Rounders

B vitamins, including B6, B12, and folate, are crucial for energy production and brain development. They’re like the multi-taskers of the vitamin world.

– Why They’re Important: Support energy production and brain development.

– How to Get Them: Whole grains, meats, dairy, and fortified cereals.

Zinc: The Growth Guru

Zinc plays a big role in cell growth and repair, making it vital for your child’s development.

– Why It’s Important: Supports growth and immune function.

– How to Get It: Meat, dairy, beans, and fortified cereals are all good sources.

Iron: The Oxygen Transporter

Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen, keeping your child energetic and their immune cells fuelled.

– Why It’s Important: Supports cognitive function, energy levels, and immune function.

– How to Get It: lean meats, beans, lentils and fortified cereals. Pair iron-rich foods with Vitamin C for better absorption—like lentils with a side of orange slices!

Avacare Child Multi-Vitamin & Mineral + Omega 3 liquid provides all the essential vitamins and minerals required for a healthy immune system. This carefully created formula complements a healthy balanced diet, with specific doses of key nutrients to support your child’s development.