As parents, our most important concern is to keep our children healthy. Children’s health depends on several factors, including sleep, nutrition, hygiene, hydration, and physical activity.
The best way to ensure children’s health is to teach them healthy lifestyles and habits that also lay a strong foundation for their good health in the future.
Let’s talk about the top 10 tips you can follow and teach your child to stay healthy and fit and where you can go for comprehensive pediatric care in Tampa, FL.
Tip#1 Get Adequate Sleep
Child’s sleep is directly associated with their eating habits, behaviors, and ability to fight off infections. Generally, the amount of sleep your child needs depends on their age. For instance, children aged three to five years need 10 to 13 hours of sleep, while teens require at least 10 hours of sleep. So, develop a consistent bedtime routine for your child.
Tip #2Practice Healthy Eating Habits
A balanced meal improves your child’s health and boosts immunity. So, you should offer a variety of food options to your children so that they develop a taste for healthy food.
Give them protein-rich foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pasteurized milk, whole grains, and fiber-rich foods. Also, avoid giving them processed food and junk food.
Tip #3 Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water is important to help maintain your child’s body temperature, make bodily fluids, and for their daily activities. So, you should encourage your child to drink at least 5-9 glasses of water every day.
Tip#4 Establish Exercise Habits
Experts say that by the age of 5-6, you should establish exercise habits in your kids. Get your children into an activity they like, such as cycling or playing catch in the front yard. You can also get exercise recommendations according to your child’s age from your pediatrician.
Tip#5 Stay Up to Date on Immunization
Vaccines are vital to prevent your child from catching illnesses. These are recommended for kids according to their age. Keeping up with the vaccine schedule can seem overwhelming, but your pediatrician can help you know when your child is due for the next vaccine.
In addition to childhood vaccines, you should also ensure that your child receives a flu shot every year.
Tip#6 Teach them Sneezing and Coughing Etiquette
Teach your children that coughing and sneezing are the source of germ transmission, so they should cover their faces and nose while coughing and sneezing. Also, teach them to wash their hands often with handwash for about 20 seconds.
Tip #7 Limit their Screen Time
Screens emit light that can affect your children’s health in many ways. The light emitted from the screen can reduce the melatonin level and make it difficult for your child to fall asleep. Therefore, you should limit any screen time not associated with homework.
Tip#8 Tame Stress
Several things at school, sports, and social media can negatively affect your child’s mental health and cause stress and anxiety. So, tame their stress and promote their mental health by talking about their feelings, avoiding negativity, and boosting their self-esteem.
Tip#9 Encourage Oral Health
Tooth decay is considered one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Fluoride can reduce, or even eliminate, the chances of tooth decay in children. Advise your children to brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
Also, take them to the dentist regularly for oral checkups.
Tip #10 See a Pediatrician
A pediatrician is a doctor who addresses all the healthcare needs of your child. They provide individualized physical, mental, and behavioral care to your child. So, take your child to a pediatrician regularly.
Children’s Health in Tampa, FL
At Children’s Medical Center, our clinics serve as medical homes for numerous babies, toddlers, children, and teens throughout the Tampa area. Our pediatricians are also committed to providing the highest quality compassionate care to their patients.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our pediatricians, call us today at (727) 787-6335. We are located in Palm Harbor, Westchase, Trinity, and Lutz, FL.
