Ask Dr. Hirsch: Weekly Q&A with Dr. Shari Hirsch, Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist at Lev Pediatric Care

Ask Dr. Hirsch

Weekly Q and A with Dr. Shari Hirsch, Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist at Lev Pediatric Care

This Week’s Question:
“How can I boost my child’s immune system so they don’t get sick so often?”

Dr. Hirsch’s Answer:
This time of year, it feels like every article or post promises a food, supplement, or trick that will “boost” the immune system. From special teas to superfood shots and expensive vitamins, the message is tempting. But much of it is marketing, not medicine.

Let’s talk about what the immune system actually is and what really helps it work well.

What is the immune system?
The immune system is not a single switch you can turn up or down. It’s a complex system made up of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to fight infection. It needs balance. Too little response leaves you vulnerable to illness, and too much response can cause problems like allergies or autoimmune disease.

There is no magic “boost.”
You can’t supercharge the immune system like a volume knob. Supplements, detoxes, or single “superfoods” don’t make children bulletproof. Even nutrients that support immune function won’t work better in excess, and high doses can sometimes cause harm.

What actually helps
Instead of quick fixes, focus on habits that support how the immune system is designed to work:

• Adequate sleep, which helps the body fight infection
• A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein
• Regular physical activity
• Managing stress with routines, play, and downtime
• Staying up to date on vaccinations, which safely train the immune system to recognize specific infections

These don’t “boost” immunity. They support it.

Why kids still get sick
Frequent colds, especially in daycare or school, usually mean the immune system is learning, not failing. Many healthy children get 6 to 10 viral infections a year and are still completely normal.

Bottom line
There is no pill, juice, or supplement that suddenly makes a child’s immune system stronger than biology intended. What works is consistency. Sleep, nutrition, activity, stress management, and vaccines give the immune system what it needs to do its job well.

If you ever see a product promising to make your child “immune” to illness, the best question to ask is simple: where’s the evidence?

 ​Dr. Shari Hirsch, MD, specializes in infant feeding, including expert newborn support, lactation guidance, and frenotomy (tongue-tie release). She also offers emotional wellness care, with guidance and medication management for attention, mood, and anxiety support.

Lev Pediatric Care is located at Evergreen Uptown Mall in Pomona. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:45 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Same-day appointments are available. To schedule, call 845-579-5700. They also provide free car service to and from doctor visits.

Have a question for next week’s column? Send it to Lev Pediatric Care, and Dr. Hirsch may feature it in an upcoming Q&A