How often do kids get sick? 8 easy rules to prevent your baby from getting sick
Every child is unique, and the developmental changes they experience are not always understood by parents. For example, when a child aged 3-4 starts attending kindergarten and gets sick more frequently, it does not mean their body is weaker. Instead, their body and immune system are being exposed to new infections.However, if your child has acute respiratory infections (ARI) or acute viral respiratory infections (ARVI) more than 4-5 times a year for several years, it can signal weakened immunity. Pediatricians refer to these children as frequently ill. There may be genuine causes for this, such as being born prematurely, having an intrauterine infection, or being switched too early from breastfeeding to formula. If your child has recently had a serious illness or surgery, their immune system may be temporarily weakened and may need time, appropriate strengthening activities, and your patience to recover.
Important: Pediatricians say children need to get sick occasionally so their immune systems learn to respond properly to pathogens.
To help your child get sick less often and recover quickly, follow these 8 simple rules:
- Create a healthy room environment. If possible, give your child their own room. Keep fresh air circulating by ventilating the room. Clean the floors daily or every other day and wipe surfaces with clean water. Store soft toys and books that collect dust in closed cabinets. Dry, dusty air increases the risk of viral infections.
- Encourage daily outdoor walks. Make daily walks in a park or woods a habit, especially before bedtime. These walks help your child fall asleep more easily and give them a chance to share their thoughts and feelings with you, easing any built-up tension.
- Promote age-appropriate physical activity. For children up to age two or three, gentle exercises, massages by parents, and simple games are enough. After age three, consider enrolling in a sports facility. Activities like swimming benefit the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems while bringing your child joy.
- Dress your child appropriately. Dress your healthy child for the weather and their level of activity. Avoid overdressing, and make sure your child does not sweat during walks—wearing damp clothes increases the risk of illness.
Advice:
Can your child express discomfort or concerns easily? Do they trust your guidance on what's good for their health? Take our psychological Parenting Mentor Test to find out the best strategies for communicating healthy habits and routines to your child. - Avoid overfeeding. Feed your child only when they are hungry. Don’t pressure them to eat if they aren’t interested. This helps your child develop healthy eating habits and listen to their body’s needs—especially important during illness and recovery.
- Provide a balanced diet. Even if your child doesn’t tend to gain weight, pay attention to the quality of their food. Offer plain water, freshly squeezed juices, and fruit drinks to quench thirst. Avoid carbonated beverages and fast food, which disrupt metabolism, burden digestion, and weaken immunity. Ensure your child’s diet includes enough protein and fat, and try not to let sweets and refined flour foods become the mainstay.
- Allow full recovery time. Give your child’s body enough time to fight illness and let their immune system work properly. Don’t rush to eliminate all symptoms immediately. Allow time for restful recovery after illness, and avoid crowded places for 5–7 days after a fever.
- Respect your child's uniqueness and pace of development. Parents often worry about milestones—rolling over, crawling, talking, and weight gain. These concerns about timing can impact your child’s mental state and health. Anxious parents can make children anxious, and stress is a common cause of childhood illness.
Advice:
By strengthening your child's immunity and creating a healthy environment, you're laying the foundation for their happy childhood. Try our unique Parenting Mentor Test to discover other factors that influence your child's well-being. After answering the test questions, you'll receive a detailed assessment of your parent-child relationship, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of your parenting approach, and recommendations to make it even more healthy and supportive for your family.