Mistakes destroy children's immune systems

Immunity is the most powerful weapon the body uses to fight pathogens. However, many mothers are unknowingly weakening their children's immune systems due to improper care. Together with BSCKI, Dr. Dang Thi Ngoan, Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Ha Long General Hospital, learn the mistakes that "destroy" the child's immune system in the video below.

Video content is professionally consulted by Specialist I, Resident Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital

When the body is weakened by the immune system, ie the defense and defense system is no longer available, it is easy to be attacked by pathogens, at this time, the infection is often prolonged or repeated. In the long term, the anatomical or functional organs of the body are also affected, reducing vital activities.
First, mothers need to know how the baby's immune system is formed?
To put it simply, the immune system is a collection of white blood cells, lymphocytes in the blood, lymph nodes, bone marrow and spleen, with the same task of protecting the body from the invasion of germs. The distribution of the immune system is mostly at the entrances of the body, especially in the respiratory and digestive tracts
The immune system by producing antibodies or self-destructing by destroying enzymes, the mechanism of Cells, invading agents from outside such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites will be localized and destroyed, not causing disease.
In infants, the immune system in the first months of life is inherited by the line of antibodies received from breast milk, this mechanism is called passive immunity, antibodies will decline very quickly after 6 months and when the baby is born. Weaning begins, so at this time, babies often get infections and this is an opportunity to build their own proactive immune system.

When the baby's body has a weakened immune system, it is easy to be attacked by pathogens. Therefore, mothers should know that the following mistakes can destroy the baby's immune system.
2.1 Don't breastfeed Breast milk is nature's most perfect food, providing your baby with the best start. Breast milk contains nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements that babies need for healthy growth. In addition, breast milk is rich in antibodies that help children strengthen their resistance against infections that cannot be replaced by any other milk. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months of life.
2.2 Over-nutrition Consuming a variety of foods with high sugar and fat content will reduce the body's ability to protect the body from bacteria that are harmful to the immune system.
Maybe you don't know, being overweight puts your child at risk of many diseases. More specifically, excess fat cells adversely affect the immune system, slowing the elimination of substances that lead to chronic inflammation.
Therefore, mothers need to add more green vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins A, C, E to help strengthen the baby's resistance.
2.3 Limiting the child's movement Letting your baby be outdoors for at least more than an hour a day brings many benefits to the baby's health. Sunlight helps the body synthesize vitamin D necessary for the growth of height, weight, and strengthens the immune system for the baby.
Mom, don't be afraid that your children will be exposed to the outside environment with many pathogens, fear of cold wind, fear of sunlight, fear of pollution, but keep children indoors. This only makes the child weaker and more susceptible to illness when the environment or weather changes.
Mothers should encourage and guide children to participate in various types of activities depending on their health and physical condition. A child's body that is properly functioning will have the effect of promoting blood circulation, building supple muscles, strong bones, intellectual development and a more complete immune system.
2.4 Abuse of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs Overuse of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs will lead to the destruction of beneficial bacteria in the body. If these beneficial bacteria die, the body's defenses will drop, making the child more susceptible to bacterial infections, especially respiratory infections. The immune system of children is still immature and not fully developed, so you should only take antibiotics when there is an infection and strictly follow the instructions of the doctor.
2.5 Ignoring the child's recovery from illness When a child is sick, parents often worry and pay attention to the treatment, but sometimes neglect the recovery care regimen for the child after the child is well. Because after a course of drug treatment, the child's body will still accumulate many toxins due to the side effects of the drug, the resistance and the immune system are weakened. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to nursing children even though the disease has completely recovered.
2.6 Immunization or incomplete immunization of children according to age Immunization is a method of active immunity of the body to specific pathogens. Parents should give their children all vaccinations and vaccinations according to their age to build a healthy immune system. Do not wait for children to get sick to improve their immune systems, but parents should actively protect them from daily activities. Hopefully, Dr. Dang Thi Ngoan's share will help parents have appropriate methods to protect their baby's immune system.