We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
As the holidays are winding down and we head into the new year, you're likely looking back on your celebratory gatherings with a smile on your face and fond memories of the time you spent together.
And now that we're about a week past the festivities, you may also notice that you or someone in your family might be feeling under the weather or seems to be coming down with something.
No matter what time of year it is, the wellness of your babies is paramount.
And as a parent to young children (especially those who may have been born prematurely), it's crucial to ensure your little ones are in the best position to fight off unwanted afflictions, as those who were born early can be at a higher risk for adverse outcomes from respiratory illnesses.
You may be wondering how you can help your twins boost their immunity during times when RSV, cold and flu, and COVID strains are more likely to run rampant.
We spoke with Elina Furman, a certified infant massage instructor with over 15 years' experience in the baby products industry, to learn more.
Her new book, 101 Baby Hacks, offers natural solutions such as baby massage and other science-backed wellness hacks to address nearly every ailment and issue our babies experience, from colds, gas, constipation, and colic, to fussiness, teething pain, restless sleep, and more.
"Certain times of the year are especially important for boosting a baby's immunity due to increased exposure to illnesses."
"Certain times of the year are especially important for boosting a baby's immunity due to increased exposure to illnesses. RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) season, which typically peaks from November to March, is a critical period, as this virus can cause severe respiratory issues in infants," says Furman.
"Similarly, cold, flu, and COVID-19 cases surge during the fall and winter months, especially around the holidays, when travel and gatherings increase exposure to germs. The holiday season, with its busy schedules and close contact with family and friends, adds another layer of exposure."
But building immunity is important all year-round.
Spring allergies, which normally wreak havoc from March to May, can irritate a baby's respiratory system, potentially making them more susceptible to infections.
And in late summer and early fall, when older siblings return to school or babies start attending daycare, there is a higher risk of illness, as children encounter new pathogens.
"Supporting your baby's immunity during these key times through baby massage, proper nutrition, rest, hygiene, and breastfeeding (if possible) can help keep them healthy year-round," she adds.
The importance of baby wellness
Baby wellness is the foundation of a child's healthy growth and development.
When we talk about wellness, we're not just focusing on physical health; it's about nurturing a baby's emotional security, cognitive development, and overall sense of well-being, especially during those crucial early years," says Furman.
"Think about it: a happy, healthy baby is more likely to hit their milestones on time, stay healthier, and build a deep emotional bond with their caregivers."
When babies feel safe, loved, and cared for, it lays the groundwork for emotional regulation and resilience as they grow, she adds. These are skills they'll carry with them throughout life.
On the flip side, stress and discomfort can create barriers to healthy development.
A calm, nurtured baby isn't just more content in the moment—they're also set up for better long-term physical and mental health, Furman explains.
"It's not about being perfect as a parent or caregiver. It's about creating an environment in which your baby feels supported, secure, and understood," she says.
"Simple actions like responding to their cues, creating soothing routines, and even sharing gentle moments of touch can have an incredible impact. Wellness is truly about the small, consistent things you do every day to help your babies thrive."
Wellness is truly about the small, consistent things you do every day to help your baby thrive.
Furman is also the inventor of Kahlmi, the first bonding and massage tool for babies / children using Acu-touch technology and gentle, low frequency vibration to help families connect, calm, and comfort their little ones.
TwinsyTwins Shop
Kahlmi Baby Massager
Baby Massager Designed to Aid Sleep
This is Kahlmi, the world's first baby massager. Intended to aid your babies' sleep, it has an ergonomic and award-winning design that features interchangeable massage heads. It helps lull your little ones to sleep by easing constipation and offering relief for gas and colic. Made with edible-grade silicone, this soothing device has been approved by pediatric experts for use on newborns, infants, and toddlers.
You can learn more about Kahlmi and its benefits here.
The top 10 wellness hacks to build immunity and soothe your babies
There are several things parents and caregivers can do to help their little ones build immunity.
According to Elina Furman, these are the top 10 wellness hacks you can incorporate into your daily activities with your twins to build immunity and soothe your babies.
1. Ensure your babies stay hydrated
For babies who are old enough, ensure they're drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, especially during warmer months or if they have a cold. Breastfed or formula-fed infants get hydration from their milk, so feed frequently during sickness or in hot weather.
2. Massage for relaxation and growth
Incorporate baby massage into your daily routine to soothe your babies, promote better sleep, and support healthy development. Use gentle strokes and tools, like the Kahlmi Baby Massager, for calming vibrations that mimic the benefits of a professional massage.
3. Use reflexology techniques
Try reflexology such as gently massaging the baby's feet to help with specific issues, like gas, constipation, or sleep troubles. It's a quick and natural way to provide relief.
4. Regulate their temperature
Dressing your babies in breathable, layered sleepwear helps regulate their temperature at night, reducing the risk of overheating or chilling and promoting better sleep.
5. Introduce immunity-boosting foods
For babies who are eating solids, introduce immunity-boosting foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, avocados, and bananas. These nutrient-rich options provide essential vitamins and minerals.
6. Implement a calming bedtime routine
A consistent bedtime routine—including a warm bath, massage, and soothing sounds—helps signal to your baby that it's time to wind down. This promotes deeper, more restful sleep.
7. Practice good hygiene and clean baby spaces
Babies explore the world with their hands and mouths, so keeping toys and play areas clean reduces their exposure to germs. Natural, baby-safe cleaning solutions are great for this.
8. Alleviate teething pain
Use frozen breast milk popsicles or chilled fruit teethers when your baby is teething. The cold helps numb sore gums and reduces inflammation. In addition, frozen breast milk provides comforting nutrients while helping alleviate teething pain.
9. Baby wearing
Wearing your baby in a sling or carrier keeps them close to your body, offering comfort, reducing stress, and stimulating their sensory and emotional development. When you have multiple babies, twin carriers, like the TwinGo Air Baby Carrier, make this seemingly impossible feat feasible.
10. Expose them to fresh air and sunlight
Daily exposure to fresh air and natural sunlight, even for just 15 to 30 minutes, can boost your babies' moods, help regulate their sleep-wake cycles, and support healthy vitamin D levels.
Foster healthy growth and development
Incorporating wellness hacks into your baby's routine can significantly boost their immunity by supporting overall health and creating a strong foundation for their body's defenses, says Furman.
"Practices like daily massage and reflexology promote relaxation and reduce stress, which helps regulate the immune system, while probiotics and nutrient-rich foods such as sweet potatoes and avocados strengthen gut health, which is a critical component of immunity," she explains.
TwinsyTwins Shop
101 Baby Hacks by Elina Furman
Quick & Easy Solutions for Almost Any Baby Issue
This is 101 Baby Hacks: Infant Massage & Natural Solutions to Help with Sleep, Colic, Gas, Teething, Congestion & More by Elina Furman. With a foreword by Manasa Mantravadi MD, this book is a helpful resource for parents, with easy, natural and quick solutions for almost any baby issue.
"In addition, fresh air and sunlight support healthy vitamin D levels, which are essential for immune function, while maintaining clean play areas and practicing good hand hygiene reduce your babies' exposure to harmful germs."
Beyond these measures, consistent routines that use white noise as part of a calming bedtime ritual encourage restful sleep, which is vital for immune restoration and growth.
Together, says Furman, these hacks create a balanced, nurturing environment that helps your babies to fight off illnesses and thrive.
What are some of the ways you help your babies to build immunity? Have you used any of these methods to soothe your twins? Let us know in the Comments section below.
Read more
’Twas the Day Before Christmas: When There's Too Much to Do
'Twas the day before Christmas, There was so much to do, But one baby didn't nap, No wait, make that two. * There were presents to wrap, And cookies to frost, A whole house to clean, But their best toys are lost. * There were stockings to hang, And dishes to wash, Cards to sign off on, What's this spill? Oh my gosh. * There's vacuuming to finish, And mantles to dust,...
How to Bring Your Postpartum Hair Back From the Brink
August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month. While that may be news to you, most new mothers are acutely aware of the fact that they're losing hair at a dreadfully alarming rate. Most women will experience postpartum hair loss at the end of "the fourth trimester," around that three-month postpartum mark, and this tumultuous time for your tresses can last up to six months. And while...
Finding Time to Bond with Your Twins When Everything Takes Twice as Long
Any parent knows all too well that time goes by so quickly. The early days with your newborn twins are filled with so many time-consuming, but necessary tasks. Washing and folding endless loads of laundry. Sterilizing a steady cycle of bottles and pump parts. Taking care of twice as many diaper changes. Feeding twice as many mouths. Cutting twice as many nails. Cleaning twice as...
Things You Can Do to Help Parents of Newborn Twins
Parenting is hard. Whether it's your first time around the Mom&Pop Block or your second adventure with a subsequent sibling, parenthood can be tough to navigate. The continuous cycle of days blending into nights is exhausting, and what may have worked for parents previously may not be as successful this time around because every baby is different. What isn't different, though, is...