10 Comprehensive Guide for Raising Safe and Healthy Kids
Growing up is hard work, and a child has a special set of requirements to get the job done. “Kids have to be treated as their own entities with unique needs,” says Laura Jana, a pediatrician in Omaha and a co-author of Food Fights ($15, amazon.com). That’s because your little person is still developing, of course, from her brain to her bones. Here are a few ways on how you can give him or her what it takes to get big and strong.
Plan a healthy pregnancy.
Take folic acid and avoid drinking
alcohol to help prevent certain birth defects and disabilities. Know your
family’s health history to see if you and your baby are at higher risk for
certain diseases and conditions. Make sure any health conditions you have are
under control and that you are up-to-date on your vaccinations.
Know the signs of child development.
As your kids grow, they should
reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, and act. A delay in any of
these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem. The earlier you
recognize a delay, the more you can do to help your kids reach their full
potential.
Get check-ups and vaccinations.
Routine check-ups help identify
ways to stay healthy and help find health problems early, when chances for
treatment are better. Vaccinations help prevent many diseases and save lives.
Keep track of your and your family’s checkups and vaccinations to make sure
they stay current.
Protect your kids.
Take steps to make sure your home,
car, school, and other areas are safe. Use car seats and seat belts for
appropriate ages and sizes. Keep harmful substances and objects out of
children’s reach. Be aware of signs of maltreatment, including physical,
sexual, or emotional abuse. Ask a trusted friend or family member to watch your
kids if you feel yourself losing control and need a break.
Provide healthy meals.
Eating right will help provide the
nutrients needed to have energy, build strong bones, and fight diseases and
conditions. For babies, breastfeeding is best. As children grow, help them
choose healthy meals and snacks. Pay attention to what and how much they eat.
You’ll help them stay on track and may uncover problems of which you were
unaware.
Read more here; Guide to healthy eating. also Healthy breakfast is essential for kids.
Keep your kids active.
Help kids and teens be active for
at least one hour a day. Include activities that raise their breathing and
heart rates and that strengthen their muscles and bones. Find fun, safe, and
active things you can do with your kids to help keep the whole family healthy.
Live a smoke-free life.
Being exposed to second-hand smoke
is just as harmful as smoking directly. Be smoke free during pregnancy to
prevent premature birth and other health problems. Stay smoke-free to help lower
your children’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis,
asthma, and pneumonia.
Read more here; Health benefits if you stop smoking.
Monitor activities.
Kids learn from family, friends,
media, school, and more. Know who they spend time with, what they are doing,
and whether their activities are age-appropriate. Know how their schools
promote health and safety.
Read more here; Health effects of television to growing kids and How media can contribute to poor health
Teach your kids healthy habits.
Help your kids develop skills to
make safe and healthy choices every day. These include fastening seat belts,
wearing helmets, applying sunscreen, brushing teeth, washing hands, forming
healthy relationships, and more. Make safe and healthy choices every day to
show kids how to do it.
Provide love and support.
Kids need the support and love of
family and friends. Talk to your kids to help them understand how they can be
healthy, safe, and happy. Find out what’s going on with them and how they are
making decisions and handling problems. Respond to their physical and emotional
needs. It’s important for kids to develop in a safe, loving, and secure environment.
Read more here; How fathers care contributes to childs health.
More information: Parenting tips
