As a parent, your choices begin before your child is even born. Parenting appears to be a series of choices, from what to feed them to how to discipline them.
The decisions you make about your child’s health will have an impact on them for the rest of their lives. These are decisions that should be made after careful consideration and research. We’ll go over some general guidelines for making healthy parenting decisions in the section below.
Maintain current vaccinations:-
Vaccination is an important tool for keeping your child safe from potentially fatal illnesses.
Vaccines work by exposing your child’s immune system to a small amount of a germ, allowing the immune system to learn how to respond to that germ in the future.
Vaccines are recommended based on your child’s age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, for example, recommends that children receive the following vaccines at specific times during their first two years of life:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTaP); whooping cough is also referred to as pertussis
- Flu
- Hepatitis A and B caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), with the first dose occurring within their lifetime.
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTaP); whooping cough is also referred to as pertussis
- Type B Haemophilus influenzae (Hib)
- Hepatitis A and B, with the first dose administered within the first 12 hours of life.
- Mumps, rubella (MMR) pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)
- polio\rotavirus
Vaccinations are important for everyone, not just children. Certain vaccines should also be administered to older children and adolescents. These are some examples:
Every year, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is combined with a flu vaccine.
Vaccinations are important for everyone, not just children. Certain vaccines should also be administered to older children and adolescents. These are some examples:
- Every year, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is combined with a flu vaccine.
- the meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- a tetanus
- diphtheria
- whooping cough (Tdap) booster
All of the vaccines recommended are both safe and effective. To ensure this, they must undergo rigorous testing and clinical trials before being administered to people.
If you have any questions or concerns about vaccination, please contact your child’s pediatrician.
Sun protection for their skin
Summer is for children, but summer sun is not. UV light can cause skin damage and increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
If possible, babies under 6 months old should avoid direct sunlight. Make an effort to keep your baby in the shade as much as possible.
It’s also a good idea to outfit them with a hat and light clothing that covers their arms and legs.
Just keep in mind that babies can quickly overheat. Keep an eye out for any signs of dehydration in your child.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source advises against using sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months old due to the increased risk of side effects such as rash.
If you want to use sunscreen on your baby, consult with a paediatrician about formulas designed for babies or children.
Sunscreen should be worn by all children and babies older than 6 months.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that sunscreen have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. If your child is sweating or in the water, reapply every 2 hours or more frequently.
Get them to move!
Childhood obesity has more than tripled in US children since the 1970s, according to the CDC. Obesity affects nearly one in every five young people aged 6 to 19 years old, according to data from 2015 to 2016.
Physical activity is essential for children. It lays the groundwork for a lifetime of good health and nutrition.
The amount and type of physical activity recommended for a child’s age can vary. The following recommendations have been issued by public health experts at the Department of Health and Human ServicesTrusted Source:
Children aged 3 to 5 years
Children of this age should be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities of varying intensity throughout the day.
Aim for about 3 hours of daily activity. Some activities to consider include:
- active play with other children
- Riding a tricycle or bicycle
- Throwing and catching
- activities that involve hopping, skipping, or tumbling
- Dancing
Children aged 6 to 17
Children of this age group should strive for 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
This activity must also include various types of exercise, such as:
Aerobic exercises:-
Running, swimming, and sports such as soccer and basketball are examples of aerobic activities. A good goal is to get 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three days a week.
Bone-strengthening exercises:-
-These activities involve ground contact and have a lot of overlap with aerobic activities. Running, basketball, and jumping rope are a few examples. Include bone-strengthening activities at least three days per week.
Muscle-strengthening exercises :-
Climbing, playing on a playground, and lifting weights are a few examples (for adolescents). Plan to include muscle-strengthening activities in your physical activity at least three days per week.
You can also encourage physical activity in your child by including him or her in household activities where appropriate. Walking the dog or washing the car are two examples.
If you have concerns about your child’s weight or level of physical activity, talk to their pediatrician. The doctor can assist you in making recommendations that you can put into action at home.
Make sure you get enough sleep.
While getting enough sleep is important for everyone, getting enough sleep for children is especially important for their health. Despite this, it is estimated that nearly half of all children in the United States will have a sleep problem.
Sleep deprivation is linked to a number of negative health outcomes in children. These are some examples:
- behavioral issues
- mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, cause difficulty paying attention or concentrating
- decreased immune system function
- predisposition to diseases such as diabetes or obesity
- increased risk of accidents or injury
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published guidelines outlining how much sleep children aged 4 months to 18 years should get in a 24-hour period:
- 4 months to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours
- 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours
- 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
- 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
- 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours
Set a bedtime and try to keep it as consistent as possible.
- Create a relaxing and sleep-promoting bedtime routine, such as reading to your child or playing soothing music.
- Make certain that your child’s room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature.
- Make sure your child does not engage in high-energy activities right before going to bed.
- In the evening, avoid giving your child sugary or caffeine-containing foods or drinks.
- Set curfews for when your child is not allowed to use electronics such as televisions, video games, or computers.
The main point
When it comes to raising a child, there are numerous decisions to be made and factors to consider. They can range from promoting good mental health to ensuring proper nutrition and encouraging physical activity.
It’s natural to feel as if you must always make the best decision for your child’s health, but this can add a lot of pressure or unnecessary stress to parenting.
Instead, try to reframe it so that you’re aiming to make the best decision for your child in any given situation.
Don’t forget that you have assistance and support along the way.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health, please contact their paediatrician.