Natural Immunity
My daughters, Bethany and Eliza, now aged almost 14 and 12, have never been vaccinated. Instead, we nurtured their natural immunity through full-term breastfeeding, a healthy and harmonious parenting relationship, optimal nutrition, and as toxic-free an environment as possible.
They are amongst the most healthy children I know. We’ve avoided pain killers, antibiotics and other drugs. Germs are an intrinsic part of life, and our daughters are exposed to them. We don’t believe in ‘germ proofing’ our home.
Ways to build natural immunity:
Breastfeed
Breast milk is the most important act you can do as a parent. Breast milk is vital in building your baby’s immunity, and protecting against disease, because it provides a complete nutritional balance ~ including essential fatty acids. It also acts to provide strong psychological health, too, because it constantly reinforces the mother and child bond.
Organic Foods
A healthy body can not ‘catch’ diseases. You can ensure your child is in optimal health by providing nutrient rich foods. Provide a balance of fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, sea vegetables, nuts and beans, wholegrains. Be a good example of healthy eating to your children.
Allergies
You can greatly decrease the chance of your child having allergies, infections, thrush, etc., by removing dairy, sugar and fried foods from their diet.
Avoid toxins
The immune system can be easily damaged by exposure to chemicals. Modern life is toxic. There are many things you can do to minimise how many toxins you and your family absorb.
Question everything you use in your home and garden. If you don’t understand the ingredients on the label, the chances are that it’s not healthy. There are all sorts of alternatives to household cleaners, body products, garden care. Look at the furnishing and fabrics in your home. Eat organic food.
Vaccines
At The Mother magazine, we urge all parents to fully research vaccines. Vaccines bring viruses and bacteria into the body in a way that’s not natural (not to mention all the chemicals in the vaccines), and this causes huge stress to the immune system, as well as being a leading cause of chronic immune dysfunction. As the parent of unvaccinated children, I’ve seen how strong their immune systems are compared to the majority of vaccinated children.
Don’t worry, be happy!
The most important aspect of building a healthy immune system is to nurture your child with love. Love, care, attention and respect help children feel happy, secure and loved. Don’t just tell you children you love them ~ show them! Take time to touch, rock, cuddle, hug, massage and kiss your child. Avoid creating ongoing stress around them. Change your lifestyle if your living situation is tense.
A happy rhythm
Children thrive in an environment that has a happy rhythm between night and day, work and play. Allow your day to develop a harmonious rhythm linking meal times, sleep, bathing and play.
Sleepy time
Children need regular sleep patterns and rest in order to allow their body to regenerate. Develop an evening ritual of lullabies, bath time, cuddles, and perhaps lavender essential oil sprinkled in the room.
Natural living
Spending time in Nature is so important for all human beings, especially children. Make sure your child has lots of time to run, skip, dance, climb, jump and hop in Nature. Give them time and space for climbing trees, walking barefoot and breathing fresh air.
Read Veronika's editorial from TM36: Raised in the arms of Mother Nature