Did you know that the winter is flu’s favorite season? Really! According to the CDC (and any toddler momma out there), Flu Season falls between October and March, and peaks from December - February.
With higher chances of catching the flu in the winter (and other respiratory illnesses), boosting our kiddo’s immunity sounds like a brilliant idea! And a children’s probiotic may be one way to do just that.
But before we dive in, let's find out what probiotics are and why these icky viruses like the winter so much in the first place.
Why we get sick in the winter
There are many reasons why respiratory illnesses, like the flu and common cold, love to come out and play in the winter. And one of them is because, well. . . we don’t.
When it’s suuuuuper chilly outside, we tend to stay in the coziness of our warm homes. Which means we’re closer to other people making it easier for viruses to catch rides to new homes.
A couple other reasons we tend to get sick more often in the winter is:
- Shorter days can cause lower levels of Vitamin D, which can compromise our immune system
- Viruses, such as the flu, can survive better in colder, drier climates
So, that means the flu and other viruses can survive better in the winter, are fighting against weaker immune systems, and have an easier time getting around!
Sounds like it’s time to introduce a new opponent: Probiotics.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are healthy organisms you can consume through supplements or food. There are many benefits to probiotics and have an important job: They keep our tummies healthy!
But what do our tummies have to do with immunity?
Well, it turns out that when our tummies are healthy, things like digestion, immunity and nutrition absorption naturally fall into place.
Some doctors even describe our tummies as a second brain! Pretty cool, huh?
And studies have shown that one benefit of probiotics is that they boost our immune response — both in adults and children. When we don’t have enough good bacteria making our tummies their home, then the bad guys can come in and weaken our immune system!
Let’s get these guys on our side!
How to add Probiotics to our Diet
There are 2 ways to get all the yummy tummy goodness of probiotics:
- Adding them to our kiddo’s diet
- Probiotic supplement for kids
There are many foods that are a natural probiotic for kids and are a great addition to a healthy diet. A few common ones are:
- Yogurt (but watch the sugar!)
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
But for Picky Eaters who wouldn’t dream of eating sauerkraut, supplementing with a probiotic for kids might be a better option. Not only can they taste better, but:
Supplementation with a daily probiotic has shown to be a safe and effective way to reduce symptoms of cold and flu, as well as the number of missed school days!
Conclusion
Probiotics can boost your kiddo’s immunity this winter. And adding them to your kiddo’s daily routine makes for a happy, healthy tummy!
If you’re ready to get all these yummy tummy benefits, try the best probiotics for kids.
With 4 of the BEST probiotic strains for kids, Renzo’s Yummy Tummy Probiotic is loved by Picky Eaters and approved by Picky Parents.