Immune Boosting Strategies for Mama and Baby
Winter is officially upon us and the little colds and sickness are beginning to pop up with the season changing! I like to have a set plan throughout the winter months to focus on taking our supplements, eating immune-boosting foods, getting as much natural vitamin D as possible, drinking filtered water and prioritizing rest.
It’s important that we’re prepared for the occasional sickness to come our way and that we have the proper tools on hand to boost immunity and help fight common colds.
My daughter, Katie Braswell of Live Wild Be Well, has some recommended supplements:
Immune Boosting Supplements
Vitamin D Drops
Safe for mama and baby - pregnancy and breastfeeding safe
Vitamin D plays several important roles in the metabolism and absorption of other minerals in the body. It’s also helpful with boosting overall immunity and helping combat common colds. My favorite brand is linked here. This dropper form can be used for both mama + baby! I generally don’t recommend long-term vitamin D supplementation without having your levels checked through labs.
Probiotics
Safe for mama and baby - pregnancy and breastfeeding safe
Probiotics may be beneficial in reducing the severity and incidence of gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and colic in babies. They can also benefit children's health by supporting the developing immune system but should not be seen as a panacea or as an alternative to a healthy lifestyle or diet. In adults, they support the immune system, gastrointestinal health, the microbiome and more. My favorite baby/child brand is here and this is my favorite option for adults (code livewild saves you 15%)
Garlic Mullein Ear Oil
Safe for mama and baby - okay during breastfeeding, but do not use during pregnancy
Garlic’s health benefits include antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It also has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. When eaten, garlic can boost the immune system and help fight infection.
Applying garlic topically may help ease the pain of an earache. One source with 103 children who had ear pain from middle ear infections, found that naturopathic ear drops containing garlic (Allium sativum) and other herbal ingredients was just as effective in managing ear pain as over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops. Herb Pharm is my favorite brand and go-to!
Boiron ColdCalm Baby
Used in babies 6 months or older
ColdCalm Liquid Doses relieve common cold symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion.
Organic Chest Rub
Safe for mama and baby
This Honest chest rub is a blend of soothing essential oil scents to clear stuffy noses and support clear breathing and a good night’s sleep. Our Honest aromatic vapor baby rub is perfectly safe and effective for babies, big kids, and parents, too. Organic lavender and rosemary oils soothe and calm, while eucalyptus and tea tree oils offer relaxing comfort to support a good night’s sleep. It’s important to source a chest rub like this that is free of menthol, lanolin, parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil, or synthetic fragrances.
Quercetin
Safe for mama in breastfeeding, not pregnancy
Quercetin is a plant pigment found in red wine, onions, apples, berries and green tea. Quercetin is one of the most abundant anti-oxidants found in our diet and itself has strong anti-viral properties. The major benefit of taking quercetin with zinc is that the quercetin will push the zinc into the center of the cell where the zinc can stop the virus from reproducing. Pure Encapsulations is my favorite brand to source!
Zinc
Safe for mama in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Zinc is likely safe when used in the recommended amounts while pregnant. But it is likely unsafe when used in high doses. Those over 18 should not take more than 40 mg of zinc daily, and those 14-18 years old should not take more than 34 mg daily while pregnant. The center of the cell is where zinc needs to be to have the immune system effect. Viruses reproduce in the center of the cells. Zinc needs to be in the center of the cell to stop viral reproduction. Mary Ruth’s is my go-brand for mama and kids over the age of 12. If you’re looking for a food based supplement - I love this Oyster supplement too which is FULL of Zinc.
Whole Food Vitamin C
Safe for mama and during breastfeeding, not pregnancy.
Whole Food Vitamin C is the best form of Vitamin C and is most easily absorbed into the body. Purely-C provides the unique powers of natural-source vitamin C, plus flavonoids and buffered minerals, as found in nature. This is the only 100% food-source vitamin C plus flavonoid formula available! It’s best to source vitamin C without Ascorbic acid.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is another vitamin that can boost your immune health. In a 2015 animal study, researchers found that this vitamin played a specific role by protecting respiratory health. Vitamin A rich foods include beef liver, eggs, organ meats, cod liver oil, etc.
For homeopathic remedies to support your immune system, here are my top suggestions:
Immune Boosting Homeopathic Remedies
To Boost Overall Immunity
Calc Carb 200c every 3 days - 1 - 5 pellets - this can also help with teething
If Prone to Flu
Hepar Sulph 200c, every other day
Suspected or Confirmed Food Intolerances
This can impair gut health, which contributes to immune status.
Bovista 200 every other day
Respiratory Congestion
Kali mur 3x twice a day
Fever
Ferrum Phos 6c 4 times a day until temp is normal
Cough
Bryonia 30c, if severe every 3 hours, not as severe twice a day. Stop when seeing improvement
Nausea, Vomiting and/or Gagging
Ipecac 30c twice a day + Merc sol 30c twice a day (take one, let dissolve, take the second)
Croup
At onset, take Aconitum 200c twice a day for one day, then
Hepar Sulph 30c twice a day
Ear Infections
Pulsatilla 30c twice a day if mainly in the right ear with flushed face or
Hepar Sulph 30c 3 or 4 times a day (especially if aggravated by cold or wind) or
Chamomilla 200 every 6 hours if accompanied by teething
When Overwhelmed or Stressed (For Moms)
Stress can contribute to low immune response.
Ignatia 200 twice a day or as needed to help with stressful situations
Sepia 200 SOS as needed for feeling overwhelmed
Coffea 200 taken at night can help with improving sleep
Homeopathic Over-The-Counter Remedies
Boiron:
ColdCalm for sneezing, runny nose and congestion
Hyland’s
I’m not a doctor and I am not offering medical advice. This information is for your thoughtful consideration and for you to use as you see fit.
How to Work Together
Are you looking for solutions to boost your immune system? Homeopathy is a great way to gently and affordably help. Schedule a consultation call to learn more about how I can guide you.
If you want to learn more about nutrition, supplements, homeopathy, and more — join my Patreon with my daughter, Katie Braswell, where we have monthly sessions that you can vote on. All of our past session recordings are available to watch, too!
