How to Strengthen Your Child’s Immunity Naturally This Winter

Winter has arrived. Love the blankets, snuggles, and warming drinks. However, it is all the season for colds, coughs, and parental stress. Looking at your child, you think, “Am I doing enough?” The good news? Small daily habits and changes to diet can really help.

Offering a balanced and varied diet to your baby helps boost their immune system. Your child can stay healthy all winter with a solid feeding schedule and seasonal foods.

Why Food Is Your Initial Defence

Food shields. Every bite nourishes your baby's fragile immune system to fight illnesses. From the time you introduce solids, this is your chance to expose your baby to the right vitamins and minerals to help them strengthen their immune system.

The right baby solids feeding schedule is as important to make sure you are offering foods at the right times.

Winter Foods That Help boost immunity

There is a reason certain Immunity-boosting seasonal foods thrive in winter. Some of my favorites:

• Carrots with sweet potatoes- Soft, sweet, vitamin A-rich. Easy to mash.
• Citrus fruits- Oranges, guava, amla. High in vitamin C.
• Leafy greens- Stir spinach or drumstick leaves into soups or khichadi.
• Dals, lentils- Easy, digestible protein.
• Ghee- Provides good fat, helps with digestion and provides vitamins.

When to Offer These Foods to Your Child?

Sometimes babies eat a lot, sometimes little. That’s normal. A baby's solid feeding schedule is beneficial. It works for many parents:

• In the morning: Focus on grains like oats, ragi, poha, makhana, sooji and pear it with good fats and fruits.
• Midday: You can stick to basic indian meals like khichadi but change up the dals, grains, veggies you use.
• Evening: Soups, dosas, idlis, pastas, noodles , chillas, tikkis are all great options

Focus on consistency and connection at mealtimes and not just quantity.

Hydration Matters

Even in winter, water matters. Serve warm soups, broths, or water. Younger babies get their fluids and nourishment from breastmilk or formula. Post 1, make sure they are having at least 240 ml of water a day.

Sleep Matters

Sleep miraculously enhances immunity. When babies sleep well, their body has time to recover and heal.

Soft Movement and Play

Even in winter, kids must move. Dance, crawl, stretch, and cushion obstacle courses work indoors. Physical activity improves digestion, circulation, and vitality.

Keep Clean (But Not Too Clean)

It is important to keep the area your child is in clean and make sure they are regularly trimming their  nails, monitor what they are putting in their mouth and have frequent baths. It is also crucial they stay away from people who are sick as that is the main reason they fall sick, no from eating yogurt or banana.

However, the more you expose them to nature, pets and the outdoor environment- this also allows them to boost their immunity.

Only Supplement as Needed

Most Indians do not get enough vitamin D, therefore it is important to check with your paediatrician about Vitamin D supplementation, which is also crucial for building immunity.

How Sanchita Daswani Helps

Sanchita Daswani , immunity boosting booklet and meals plans are practical and parent-friendly. It shows parents how to introduce baby solid food without stress and build a baby solids feeding schedule that works for them. Sanchita discusses what to feed, how to feed, and how to reduce stress so meals are pleasurable. In winter, parents feel confident in strengthening their child's immunity naturally.