The Time To Build Your Baby's Immune System is at Conception!
Never before in the history of humanity has it been more important and more difficult to support immune function, especially for vulnerable little ones, in utero or post-natally. In a world besieged by toxins, many of them invisible, disguised or masquerading as something else, like endocrine disruptors, parents need to unearth resources decisively and pro-actively.
Immune strength can be built and repeatedly regenerated. It is not a product of genetics alone. What we have come to know about the brain translates directly to the immune system since neurochemicals are the driving force that launches immune warriors into action. Studies show that people who feel loved, connected to others, who express themselves and are heard and responded to, valued and appreciated, fight disease more effectively then those who are lonely, isolated and withdrawn. The same holds true and even more so for babies. We build our baby’s sense of worth, we help evoke the neuroendocrinology of selfhood, when we acknowledge their consciousness, their presence, from the moment they are conceived and even before, when we invite them into our lives.
How, you may wonder, do we communicate with unborn babies? This dialogue is a very exciting conversation between hearts and souls. It can also be a dialogue of touch and awareness. Mothers to be, either when pregnant or when preparing for pregnancy, can hold bio-electrically charged meridian sites on their bodies to communicate energetically with their babies, welcoming them and nesting, building an environment of safety and caring for growth and development. I train parents to do this and have developed materials to educate about this communication of inner dialogue and touch. Go to my website (www.Tara-Approach.org) for more information or write to me directly at tara-approach@prodigy.net if you want more specifics.
Immune strength is, of course, also built with the mother’s nourishing diet based on whole, warming foods and avoiding processed fast foods. Baby knows when mom cares enough to feed herself for baby’s greatest good. This attitude toward nourishment must continue throughout the crucial periods when the immune system is finding its way in this complex world. Make no mistake about it, what we eat and how we eat it translates directly into immune function.
Surprisingly there is ancient wisdom that correlates with what we face in this present moment in terms of enhancing and supporting immunity. As a neuroscientist I am unique in using the treasures of Oriental wisdom to nourish prenatal and postnatal brain development. This is in accord with my understanding that meridian pathways, particularly the Extraordinary Meridians that provide prenatal sustenance, are the keys to building an immune system capable of successfully dealing with the modern onslaught of toxins. These toxins even emerge in vaccines and medicines and our children are vulnerable to them if we don’t prepare them for this exposure. Do not allow your child to be vaccinated if he or she is sick, even with a minor cold or irritated tummy. The vaccine can wait until your child is strong enough to handle it. Vaccines are strong medicine and should not be taken casually.
I believe it is possible for parents to learn how to foster a mighty immune capacity and lessen their own and their children’s vulnerability. All it takes is the willingness to explore some unique education and consider alternative approaches that despite their uniqueness are clinically proven. Time and again I have seen parents become the vanguard in sustainable, empowering healthcare options. We have to be! The rising cost of healthcare and the lack of attunement we frequently encounter in the medical profession have forced us to be in the center of our family’s health! In the long run I believe this will prove to be the reward from this period of travail.
The TARA Approach, with its applied touch and language interventions is clinically tested and peer reviewed ~ and it works! It shows us how we can train our bodies and our children’s bodies to identify and fight off toxins; to distinguish between a friend and a foe (on all levels) and to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from invasive pathogens. The first step is acknowledging that this can be done. That is the purpose of this article. The second step is finding the specific actions you can take to mobilize your immune system potential.
As children go back to school and encounter a broad array of toxins and as we interface with the diversity of new threats in what is presented to us as food and other products, we need to sharpen our intelligence and be both discriminating and empowered. We need to honor and respect the integrity the immune system demands for nourishment and clarity. The immune system is like a massive military with incredible forces equipped to defeat invaders. We cannot downgrade this astounding, miraculous defense system. We can only chose upgrades! The power to make this choice is in our own hands.
By Stephanie Mines, Ph.D.
Copyright 2011
Guest Blogger for Organic Baby University
Stephanie Mines, Ph.D. is the author of WE ARE ALL IN SHOCK: How Overwhelming Experience Shatters You and What You Can Do About It. This book contains a chapter on prenatal development and attuning to your baby. You can order the book through her nonprofit organization. Go to www.TARA-Approach.org to order this and other resources for prenatal parenting.
Stephanie Mines, PHD
