The start of the school year is usually when your kids start to pick up colds and flus. To prevent this, here's how to boost their immune systems.

It is usually the first couple of weeks after going back to school your little ones can start to pick up some little bugs.

Especially for the new starters. There are now around a serious amount of other children and a lot of other germs. 

The truth is it is inevitable. We are born with a weak immune system and as children grow and fight minor colds and flus, their immune system strengthens. But, staying on top of your child's immunity before the school year begins is a great time to start.

Here are some easy ways to boost your child’s immunity:

Fruit and Veg

Try to get your little one to eat 5/7 portions of fruit and veg a day. Adding fruit to porridge in the morning and a dinner packed with veg is an easy way to start.

Studies show a diet high in phytonutrients can increase the production of white blood cells, which fight infection. Foods high in phytonutrients include strawberries, oranges, green beans and carrots.

Sleep

One thing we often overlook for ourselves and our children is the importance of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can considerably affect your health.

Lack of sleep can leave you susceptible to illness because it lowers your levels of infection-fighting cells. While toddlers require about 12/13 hours of sleep per night, school-goers need around 10 hours at least.

Exercise

Another simple yet effective solution. Lack of sleep as mentioned depletes the infection-fighting cells in the body while exercise actually increases them. One way to add some family exercise is to plan one outdoor activity for the whole family at least once a week.

Watch that toothbrush

When your child is sick, you should really be binning their toothbrush. Although your child can’t get a virus twice, it can spread on toothbrushes and infect other members of the family.

If your child has a bacterial infection, they can actually re-infect themselves again with their toothbrush, so when in doubt, throw it out.