• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

MAMAVATION

Mamavation | Healthy Living | Lifestyle | Detoxify Home | Product Recommendations

Mobile Menu

  • Start Here
    • Read This First
    • Product Investigations
    • About Leah Segedie
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Press Page
    • Advisory Panel
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • Popular Posts | Mamavation
    • Food | Mamavation
    • Beauty | Mamavation
    • Health | Mamavation
    • Environmental News
    • Product Investigations | Mamavation
    • Motherhood | Mamavation
    • Brand Essentials | Mamavation
    • DIY | Mamavation
    • Recipes | Mamavation
    • Activism | Mamavation
  • Book
  • Courses
  • Join
    • Facebook Fan Page
    • Private Facebook Group
  • search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Start Here
    • Read This First
    • Product Investigations
    • About Leah Segedie
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Press Page
    • Advisory Panel
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
  • Blog
    • Popular Posts | Mamavation
    • Food | Mamavation
    • Beauty | Mamavation
    • Health | Mamavation
    • Environmental News
    • Product Investigations | Mamavation
    • Motherhood | Mamavation
    • Brand Essentials | Mamavation
    • DIY | Mamavation
    • Recipes | Mamavation
    • Activism | Mamavation
  • Book
  • Courses
  • Join
    • Facebook Fan Page
    • Private Facebook Group
  • search

It’s Never Too Early to Help Strengthen Your Baby’s Immune System – Start on Day One

Mamavation » Blog » Motherhood | Mamavation » It’s Never Too Early to Help Strengthen Your Baby’s Immune System – Start on Day One
It’s Never Too Early to Help Strengthen Your Baby’s Immune System - Start on Day One 2

August 17, 2018 //  by Leah Segedie

Facebook0
Twitter0
Google+0
LinkedIn0
Pinterest0

Babies are born with particularly vulnerable immune systems, and everything from taking a dose of antibiotics to picking up germs from others at the hospital can have a potentially weakening effect on them.  But it’s important for all parents to know that while an infant’s immune system is, indeed, susceptible at this point in life, it is also the best time to strengthen, nurture and develop it. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest diaper and baby wipe brands, why we don’t recommend using lanolin when breastfeeding, & our nontoxic gift guide for newborns, join us now as we bring you tips from Dr. Tanya Altmann on how to strengthen your baby’s immune system. 

A recent study published in the Human Microbiome Journal proved for the first time ever that it’s possible to reduce bad bacteria, such as E. coli, C. diff, Staph and Strep, linked to autoimmune issues, by colonizing the infant gut with a specific good bacteria called B. infantis. In the study, B. infantis wiped out 93 percent of harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, most babies don’t acquire this good bacteria at birth anymore. While that is unfortunate, what is exciting for those of us who work with babies is that this new research shows we’re getting closer to better-protecting newborns immediately after birth as they grow.

This post was written by scientific advisor to Mamavation, Dr. Tanya Altmann, and it contains affiliate links. Dr. Altmann works with Envivo. 

Developing a Strong Immune System Starts Day One

The gut is made up of both good and bad bacteria and when more good bacteria (particularly B. infantis) are present in the gut, they crowd out the bad bacteria. Unfortunately, nine out of 10 babies today do not have B. infantis, which causes gut dysbiosis, which is an imbalance in the ratio of good and bad gut bacteria and distress as more bad bacteria are allowed to thrive. The presence of bad bacteria in baby’s gut is linked to a higher risk of health issues such as colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes, and obesity later in life.  

This is extremely important.  As a pediatrician, I’ve seen a massive spike in allergies and eczema among kids.  It has become an epidemic among American children in the past decade, and these issues are now being linked to immune health and the gut. Here are the facts:

  • There are at least two children with food allergies in almost every kindergarten classroom in the U.S. (FARE) 
  • 9.6 million children under the age of 18 have eczema and of this total, 3.2 million children suffer from moderate to severe cases (National Eczema Organization)

While we know the immune system is responsible for fighting off viruses and bacterial infections, we’re now starting to better understand how the composition of bacteria in a baby’s gut plays a significant role in how well the immune system can help keep a baby healthy. 

how to improve the baby's immune system

What Mom Can Do to Boost Baby’s Immune Health

There are many things moms can do to boost their baby’s immune health from day one.  Here are my recommendations.

  • Breastfeed. The benefits of breastfeeding are extensive and include protection against illness and diseases. During the first six months, breast milk helps enhance a baby’s immune system, making it stronger and less susceptible to bad bacteria, infection and disease. Additionally, breast milk has special carbohydrates that feed the good bacteria in babies’ guts, helping fight off bad bacteria that are linked to colic, allergies, eczema and asthma.
  • Give baby the right probiotic to restore good bacteria to the gut. The right bacteria help enable the proper development of the immune system, and I highly recommend that all parents give their babies a probiotic during infancy. Evivo (activated B. infantis) baby probiotic, for example, is clinically proven to restore the key good bacteria to the gut and reduce harmful bacteria. This probiotic helps establish a healthy immune system from day one and helps lay the foundation for lifelong good health.
  • High fiber foods. Once you start feeding solids, it’s important to introduce toddlers to a wide variety of foods with high fiber, including fruits, veggies, beans and whole grains. Kids should eat plenty of high fiber foods for their entire lives!
  • Sleep, sleep sleep! I can’t stress enough how important it is for a developing child to get enough sleep. Especially as kids get older, it’s important that they’re well rested and keeping their immune systems healthy.

There’s many factors that play into raising strong, healthy babies, but creating a strong immune system during the first six months is critical for baby’s short and long-term health.

—

Dr. Tanya Altmann is a leading pediatrician, Founder of Calabasas Pediatrics and best-selling author. Her expertise lies in baby nutrition and gut health, but she also speaks to everyday parenting issues. Altmann is the author of What to Feed Your Baby, Baby and Toddler Basics, and Mommy Calls, as well as editor-in-chief of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting books, The Wonder Years and Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. Dr. Tanya has made numerous media appearances and contributions over the years, but she would say her most important role is being a mom to her amazing three boys.

Recent Product Investigations

  • Blistex Medicated Lip Balm & Ointment PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Lab Report
  • Scotch Magic Tape — Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals — Results from Lab
  • Post-It Notes — Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” — Lab Results
  • Cupcake Liners Tested For Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” — Buying Guide
  • Omega-3 Supplements for Dogs & Cats Recalled — Better Recommended Brands
Previous Post: «Oat Cereals & Granola Bar Product Investigation: Glyphosate Pesticide Levels in Popular Foods 20 Oat Cereals & Granola Bar Product Investigation: Glyphosate Pesticide Levels in Popular Foods
Next Post: Does Testing Food & Hair for Pesticides Sound Like Fun to You? Then There’s a Home Kit For That Who are the Illuminati of the Cosmetic Industry? 4»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Baby Grafitty

    December 19, 2022 at 8:37 pm

    Immune system development is necessary to go with completely for going to do with mark with better health of a life of anybody. So going to give a developed life for a baby is very necessary. So thanks for sharing your valuable information.
    Baby Grafitty (https://babygrafitty.com/)

    Reply
  2. botldacare

    October 9, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    Dear sir!/madam.
    Such an amazing article.You would love to see my navratna-oil-benefits-in-hindi site as well.
    Thanks once again.
    S.K.Yadav.cg

    Reply
  3. Divya Agrawal

    June 17, 2019 at 10:54 am

    Being a mom, it is a major concern on how to raise immunity. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  4. Mackenzie Biehl

    May 7, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    I love this post! Love your blog. I’m just getting started and mamavation is a great blog to exemplify.

    Reply
  5. Navya Sharma

    May 6, 2019 at 2:21 am

    This is a nice one!!!
    You can get more details about pregnancy tips and save your child’s future. Visit, https://www.cordlifeindia.com/

    Reply
  6. Dhanya

    February 11, 2019 at 10:32 am

    Being as a mom of a little girl I love this article.

    Always worried about her immunity power and health.

    This article helps me to rethink in the other way.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Leah Segedie

      February 11, 2019 at 6:02 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  7. Dr. Crystal Doan Stephens

    January 7, 2019 at 8:46 pm

    And vaccines! – Dr. Crystal Doan Stephens, Pediatrician, California

    Reply
  8. Mike

    December 14, 2018 at 10:22 am

    ‘scientific advisor to Mamavation, Dr. Tanya Altmann, and it contains affiliate links‘

    Do your authors submit a disclosure regarding any payment for this work in association with these articles?

    Reply
  9. Erika J Villalobos

    August 29, 2018 at 8:12 pm

    The earlier the better! Thanks for this – a great read.

    Reply
    • Leah Segedie

      December 12, 2018 at 5:13 pm

      Our pleasure!

      Reply
  10. Rachel Fuller

    August 25, 2018 at 7:18 pm

    With a toddler and baby on the way this is great advice! Even with my 7 year old I have implemented ways to keep his gut healthy.

    Reply
    • Leah Segedie

      December 12, 2018 at 5:13 pm

      Wonderful to hear!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jump On Board!

Get advance access to product investigations & discounts on non-toxic brands!

Success! You have joined the Mamavation community! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Footer

Mamavation

  • About Leah Segedie
  • Press Page
  • Affiliate Policies
  • Blogger Opportunities
  • How To Work With Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Book
  • Courses
  • Influencer Network
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 MAMAVATION · All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Essential IT