You’re packing. Checking the list. You’ve got diapers, wipes, and that one toy they can’t live without…But your baby’s immune system is coming along for the ride, too. So you want to know how to boost baby’s immune system.
✈️ Traveling with baby isn’t just logistics. It’s immune system training on the move.
Travel, even short trips, can challenge your baby’s gut, skin, and immune system in big ways.
- New bugs and bacteria
- Disrupted routines
- Different foods
- Recycled airplane air
- H otel detergent
It adds up.
Here are 5 travel tips to boost baby immune system naturally
1. Pack a gut buddy
Protect your baby’s inner ecosystem while you’re on the move. We want a species called bifidobacteria – and lots of them! Especially before the age of 6 months old.
A shelf-stable infant probiotic can be a game changer for travel-related immune stress, like eczema or allergies.
✈️ Smidge Sensitive capsules can be kept at room temperature for up to two weeks while traveling. And they’re full of the friendly bifido bacteria that primes baby’s immune system for resilience.
2. Avoid constipation while traveling
Constipation is common in travel. Even for babies. A prune or pear puree pouch may help. Easy!
If that doesn’t work magic, I would also consider a prebiotic.
While both HMOs and GOS prebiotics contain dairy, they effectively feed a baby’s good bacteria to help mimic the effects of breast milk.
- Layer Origin 5 HMO blend : My favorite (and the cleanest) prebiotic for babies before beginning solids. Nothing but HMOs and 5 different types of HMOs to boot, which all have their own benefits. Divide 1 scoop (1 gram) throughout the day.
- SFI Health Galactomune: Contains GOS and beta-glucan. I consider this safe for breastfed babies before beginning solids, since beta-glucan is a component in yeast cell walls. Yes, GOS feeds good baby gut bacteria 🥳
Other options:
- Biostime HMO: Contains one type of HMO along with probiotics known to support baby gut health. Because it contains maltodextrin, I would use it after the introduction of solids. Packets make it easy to travel with.
- Begin Health Baby: Contains one type of HMO and probiotics that are known to support baby gut health. Also contains FOS, so ideally begin after the introductions of solids.
- SFI Health BiotaGen: A dairy free option for baby. Contains inulin FOS, larch arabinogalactan, and yeast beta-glucan
🆘💩 Gentle Warriors Easy Going: This is a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) formula with herbs that move food stagnation and gently purge sluggish stool.
I generally like to support a baby’s gut microbiome before reaching for TCM herbs that clear constipation. We want to make sure the basics for gut health are firmly established.
3. Protect your baby’s skin barrier
New climates, dry airplane air, chlorine, and unfamiliar laundry detergents can all trigger rashy flares. Bring your own eczema-safe balm or cream.
Tallow Pillow is a nourishing option if your baby doesn’t have a history of cradle cap or baby acne.
Tallow Pillow is formulated with clean ingredients like:
- Regenerative grass-fed and grass-finished tallow
- Olive squalane
- TCM herbs to soothe away redness
4. Ground + hydrate + remember allergens
Babies feel it all. Travel can be dysregulating for their nervous system and yours.
Hydrate well. Skin-to-skin after arrival. A barefoot moment outdoors can help both of you reset.
And remember that we still want to include safe allergens at least 2x weekly while traveling. If possible, make this easy on yourself by prepping baked egg muffins ahead of time. Dairy and egg are the most common triggers for baby.
5. Baby immune support while traveling
Let’s keep it simple. There is a TCM formula with three important herbs that are known to bolster the immune system.
- This classic formula is a powerhouse and offers:
- Adaptogenic lung and immune support
- Digestive support
- Mast cells stabilization and histamine management
Sometimes referred to as “jade windscreen” or “yu ping feng san”…
My favorite version is a glycerin extract from Blue Poppy called ASR Jr.
🔑 You would only use this formula when baby is well. Find out more about baby-safe TCM formulas here.
Our goal isn’t bubble-wrapping your baby. It’s gently helping their system adapt, while giving them the tools to stay regulated and strong.
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