Navigating the Seasons of Sickness: A Parenting Playbook for Immunity and Growth

Dr. Nihar Parekh how to tackle the “Sardi Khaasi” Season & Build your Toddler’s Immunity

The cycle of endless sneezes and sniffles, known colloquially as the “Sardi Khaasi season,” is a period of great stress for parents who juggle responsibilities ranging from office meetings to dance classes. Many mothers desperately seek a definitive answer or a "magic spell" to reduce the frequency of these illnesses. Dr. Nihar Parekh confirms, however, that there is no magic pill. Instead, the key to breaking the cycle of illness lies in a combination of factors: nutrition and patience.

The Essential Role of Exposure in Building Immunity

A primary source of parenting worry is the constant illness that accompanies a child’s entry into social settings like play school. While parents are naturally protective, the sources emphasize that a certain amount of exposure to germs is essential for building natural immunity.

Immunity development is a process, starting with innate immunity transferred trans-placentally and via breast milk in the first two years, alongside vaccines. After this foundational period, children step into the real world. Parents must accept that illnesses will occur, as every sickness helps build the child’s immunity. The common desire to keep a child indoors and "germ-free" is a myth; this overprotection can sometimes prevent the child’s immunity from growing.

Crucially, outdoor play is extremely important and should not be viewed solely as physical fitness. It provides natural immunity building through exposure

Role of Nutrients in Building Immunity

For general immunity building, nutrition should be a well-rounded diet that follows the "colors of the rainbow," incorporating proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbs, and fats in the right proportions.

For nutritional supplementation after sickness, parents should focus on the superhero squad of immune-nutrients which he calls ‘ACE’ and Zinc.

• Vitamin A for naturally developing immunity and covers the superficial surfaces of the nasal and respiratory passages
• Vitamin C helps cells fight bugs and recuperate.
• Vitamin E acts as an excellent antioxidant.
• Zinc is critical for cell damage repair.

It is important to remember that supplements serve as "fillers in the cracks" of a balanced diet and cannot replace good nutrition.

Redefining Growth: Beyond the Numbers

Parents are often consumed by comparison and obsessed with physical numbers, such as a child’s height and weight, often driven by cultural influences and the concern of "agony aunts". However, growth is about more than just muscle or bone size; it involves both external and internal growth, which is centered on immunity.

Parents must learn to watch for the signs of growth related to immunity. True signs of growth include seeing a reduction in the number of sicknesses, illnesses that do not last as long, and the child's ability to bounce back faster. When parents witness these signs—a child recovering faster and handling a cold while still maintaining energy levels—it should bring joy and confirm they are on the right track. By focusing on these internal signs rather than comparison, parents can embrace a strategy of less panic and more preparation.