The immune system develops naturally on its own and this begins in the womb, where it is supplied with antibodies that can protect it from various pathogens after birth.

This is necessary in order to be able to cope with the flood of viruses and bacteria with which it is confronted at birth.


In the first few months, the baby is still very susceptible to illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria. The immune system is still developing.

You should not overdo the cleanliness at home, because overly sterile environments promote the development of skin problems and allergies, such as neurodermatitis.

Walks in the fresh air are always good and also strengthen the immune system.

In order to remove unnecessary sources of disease, the following should be observed:

Bottles, teats and other equipment, such as breastfeeding shields, should be cleaned and sterilised after each use.

The changing table and baby bathtub are also a favourite place for germs. It is sufficient to clean them, but they can also be disinfected from time to time, especially if something has gone wrong, which is often the case with small babies.

Washing your hands is also important, especially before preparing meals or breastfeeding.

If possible, pets should be kept out of the nursery until the baby is a little older. Although contact is not strictly forbidden, it should be avoided before 3 months. After that, the baby's immune system is already a little stronger.

If the viruses or bacteria have already struck, it is important to rid the environment of them as far as possible and strengthen the immune system again.

Drinking is very important because the mucous membranes become more irritated when they dry out.

The moisture content of the air is also a decisive factor and can be improved with humidifiers.

Nutrition always plays a role, and the intake of vitamins is particularly important as a preventative measure as well as for re-strengthening.

It is important to note that not everything that is recommended for adults in the case of colds etc. can be given to small babies, e.g. honey must not be given if the baby is not yet one year old. A bacterium in honey can cause a serious illness that can be life-threatening, infant botulism.

Peppermint tea should not be given to children under 2 years of age as it contains a high proportion of menthol. This can trigger respiratory arrest due to the so-called glottis spasm. Menthol vapours are therefore also dangerous for babies.