During seasonal transitions, Minh Anh, 32, from TP HCM, often takes her 3-year-old son to the apartment complex courtyard for cycling and running, typically for one hour each afternoon. She noted that her son used to experience frequent minor illnesses, especially when the weather changed or after long holidays. Since consistently incorporating regular exercise, proper sleep, and a balanced diet, her child has become healthier and misses fewer days of school.

"I realized that a child's immunity doesn't solely come from medicine or supplements; it's a comprehensive daily care process", she said.

Minh Anh is not alone; many parents now prioritize building their children's immune foundations early through daily activities such as outdoor play, sufficient sleep, maintaining personal hygiene, and fostering a positive mindset.

Thu Ha from Hanoi, mother of a 24-month-old girl, shared that her family limits her daughter's screen time. Instead, they encourage her to participate in outdoor activities on weekends. According to Thu Ha, these small changes have helped her child eat better and sleep more soundly.

Beyond daily routines, nutrition is another critical factor many families consider when building their children's immunity. In addition to familiar food groups like vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish, many parents research immune-supporting nutrients to incorporate into their children's daily diets.

Young children playing with family. Photo: Pexels

According to pediatricians, young children's immune systems are not yet fully developed like those of adults, making them vulnerable to environmental factors, weather changes, and pathogens. The early years are therefore considered a "golden period" for establishing a strong immune foundation.

Many parents currently tend to seek "quick immune boost" solutions for their children through medicine or supplements. However, according to Specialist Doctor Level 2 Du Minh Tri, from the Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, the essential foundation for the immune system remains adequate nutrition, sufficient sleep, physical activity, and digestive health.

Doctor Tri explained that a child's immune system is still developing, requiring time to mature and adapt to the living environment. The objective of immune care is not to prevent children from ever getting sick, but rather to support the immune system in developing healthily and more balanced, thereby gradually reducing the frequency of illnesses over time.

The doctor noted that current research indicates approximately 70-80% of the body's immune cells are linked to the gut. Therefore, a healthy digestive system and a balanced gut microbiota are considered crucial for young children's immunity.

Regarding diet, the doctor recommends that parents prioritize natural and diverse foods instead of relying on a single "superfood". Protein from meat, fish, eggs, milk, and legumes helps form antibodies and immune cells. Vegetables and fruits provide vitamins and antioxidants. Foods rich in zinc and iron, such as red meat, seafood, and egg yolks, contribute to supporting infection resistance.

Furthermore, nutrients related to gut microbiota, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and HMOs, are also important in supporting children's immunity. According to Doctor Tri, certain beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium can help maintain the gut barrier and support mucosal immunity. For children with recurrent respiratory inflammation or frequent antibiotic use, doctors may consider appropriate probiotic supplementation during specific periods.

If a child is no longer breastfed, parents can consider age-appropriate nutritional products that include immune and digestive support ingredients. These may contain ColosIgG 24h colostrum rich in IgG, synbiotics (a combination of probiotics and prebiotics), lactoferrin, and micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin D, and iron. However, the doctor emphasizes that these are supplementary solutions and should not replace a balanced daily diet.

Beyond nutrition, the doctor highlights several other important factors often overlooked by parents: getting sufficient sleep, avoiding late nights, engaging in outdoor physical activity, avoiding secondhand smoke, practicing hand hygiene, and ensuring complete vaccination.

According to the study "Clinical Benefits of Lactoferrin for Infants and Children" by Dr. Paolo Manzoni, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, lactoferrin is a type of whey protein. Bovine lactoferrin and human lactoferrin share approximately 77% structural similarity.

The study also demonstrated that lactoferrin has a high survival rate after oral consumption. After passing through the stomach, this active compound continues to be absorbed and function in the intestines. Dr. Paolo Manzoni observed that lactoferrin is one of the bioactive compounds comprehensively involved in the natural anti-infection mechanisms found in breast milk.

Children participating in outdoor activities. Photo: Pexels

In the report "Creating Golden Immunity for Children - The Role of Breast Milk and Breastfeeding" by Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hau, it was also shown that lactoferrin has a high affinity for iron. This means it not only plays a role in iron transport but also helps inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that require iron to survive. This active compound has also been studied for its role in supporting microbiota balance and immune regulation.

Currently, many nutritional products for children are supplemented with a combination of these nutrients to support immunity during early life. Some parents report that they prioritize choosing products containing lactoferrin along with essential micronutrients to supplement daily meals.

In addition to lactoferrin, many current nutritional formulas also combine other immune-supporting nutrients such as ColosIgG 24h colostrum, IgHM, and Synbiotics.

Specifically, ColosIgG 24h colostrum provides natural IgG antibodies. IgHM is a protein brand isolated from bovine colostrum, utilizing advanced technology to select antibodies with a 3D structure similar to natural antibodies in breast milk. Synbiotics combine beneficial bacteria (probiotics) and food for beneficial bacteria (prebiotics), contributing to balancing the gut microbiota.

According to nutrition experts, the trend of combining multiple nutrients within the same formula is researched to support immunity through various mechanisms, while also promoting digestive health for children in their early years.

Many parents now prioritize selecting nutritional products that include immune-supporting nutrient systems to complement their children's daily routines and care.

For Minh Anh, ensuring her child's health is no longer about finding immediate solutions when her child falls ill, but about building a sustainable lifestyle for the entire family. "I strive to maintain simple daily habits, from meal times to sleep schedules, so my child has a better health foundation", she said.

Thai Anh