Well, my little man has got his first viral infection. The poor boy has lost his voice.. Is it too cruel to say I'm not missing his newest noise (a high pitched squeal?!). It is so heartbreaking as mother to see your baby unwell. He has a barking cough, a wheeze, he's not sleeping well, not taking as much milk, and wanting cuddles a lot more. I'm sure most of you have been there, or will experience this with your own baby. So I wanted to take the time to share with you how I am approaching his sickness.

Symptoms mean the immune system is working

The first thing to remember is that all of the symptoms of his virus are because his immune system doing its job. Basically, it is the body's way of expelling the infection. Excellent! Unless it is showing signs of being life-threatening, it's best to allow the symptoms to take their natural course (and support the body through it).

Fevers are the body's way of inhibiting the spread of bacteria and viruses, by maintaining the body at a temperature that prevents them from replicating and growing. Fevers are your friend! Fevers then allow the immune cells to swoop in and do their job - killing and clearing out the bugs (cue mucous running from every orifice).

The nervous system controls the immune system

The second most important thing to know is that the immune system cannot work without a functioning nervous system. It is the job of the nervous system to activate immune cells in response to an infection (and also allergens). Restoring any neurological imbalances and giving the immune system a little boost will help in supporting the body through an infection. Plus it may support the body's ability to drain all the fluid and mucous during an infection - especially from the ears.

The gut and the immune system

70-80% of the immune system is found in the gut. So a fantastic way to support the body during viral infections is to support the gut's immune system. Research now indicates the best thing you can take for gut health is a whole lot of fibre (or prebiotics). If your child isn’t getting enough fibre from their diet, the easiest way to increase their fibre intake is with a prebiotic. Combined with fermented foods (not too much), prebiotics are a powerful supplement.

Prebiotics are basically food for the beneficial bacteria. They support the good bacteria to grow, and prevent bad bacteria from growing. So hand in hand, prebiotics (in the form of fermented foods) and probiotics support the gut immune system. I encourage you to speak to your health care provider about which prebiotics are right for you and your baby.

Are antibiotics necessary?

Antibiotics are excellent at their job - killing bacteria. No amount of antibiotics will kill a virus. If your child has a viral infection, antibiotics are not helpful. And unless their symptoms are severe and your baby is very unwell, a viral infection can be managed at home.

I always encourage mothers to follow their maternal instincts, and also follow their child. If your child is limp, having trouble breathing, hasn’t had 6 wet nappies in the last 24 hours, or is vomiting a lot, OR if your maternal instinct is telling you something is not right - act on it, mama. Go to your GP, call the night time house visit GP, or go to the ER.

So what have I specifically done with my child during a viral infection?

Assess daily and adjust his spine (when needed) during the infection to maintain optimum neurological function - spinal adjustments may boost the immune system response (PS I don’t “crack” my baby’s spine, it is very gentle)
Increase the frequency of his prebiotics to twice daily - to support his immune system
Herbal support - both to help the body kill the virus, and to assist in detoxing and removing it from the body (I won’t recommend herbs here, it’s best you speak to your natural health provider for individual care)
Essential oil burner - eucalyptus and peppermint, as well as an oil mix specifically for coughs
Increased the number of times I offer a breastfeed - as he is taking much less each feed, and cannot use his usual "I'm hungry!" cry to tell me, and remaining hydrated is so important while fighting an infection
- Breastfeeding also gives his immune system a boost - my cells pick up some of the antigen (virus) in his saliva when he feeds, and my body produces antibodies that go through my milk to help him fight the infection (I think this is AMAZING!!)
Increased my personal dose of prebiotics since good bugs travel through the breast milk
Made myself present for lots and lots of cuddles - physical contact is both healing and comforting - and I allowed him to sleep on my chest most of the time
Monitor his temperature and symptoms closely to ensure they aren't becoming more severe to warrant a hospital visit

As you can see, the approach by a chiropractor for children is not about avoiding infections. This is IMPOSSIBLE! Especially for children. In fact, one study has found that children who have had a number of mild viral infections in the first few years of life have stronger immune systems and less allergies later on.

Chiropractic care for children is about trusting their little bodies to do their innate job in fighting the virus, and supporting them through their infections, and allowing them to recover well without the need for medical intervention. As always, if you have any concerns it is best to consult your health care practitioner - there is a time and a place for medical intervention.