As a parent, your child’s health is your top priority – and you don’t want to make any mistake that can negatively impact your child’s healthy growth and development or make them prone to illnesses.
Regardless of how proactive you are about your child’s health, they may still get sick – and it’s normal.
The good thing is that there are many things that as a parent you can do to improve their health and immunity and ensure that they are on the right track.
Let’s talk about some tips you can follow to improve the health of your child and where you can go for comprehensive pediatric care in Tampa, FL.
Tip #1 Shape Good Eating and Drinking Habits in Your Child
Sometimes, children need to see the food many times before they try it and like it. So, keep your child’s current and future health in mind before introducing food to them.
This means you should introduce them to only healthy food and drinks to improve the health of your child.
The best way to make it a habit of your child to consume good food and beverage is that you should consume food that is low in saturated fat, salt, and added sugar and high in fiber.
Another good way to shape the eating and drinking habits of your child is to speak up when you see unhealthy choices and praise them when they choose healthy items like fruits.
Tip #2 Make Sure They Get Enough Sleep
The importance of quality sleep for the physical, mental, and behavioral health of your child can’t be overemphasized. A sound sleep not only keeps your child from developing many child health issues, such as obesity but also, during sleep, the brain releases growth hormones essential for a child’s optimal health and wellness.
You should establish proper sleep hours for your child and ensure there is no disturbance when they sleep.
Tip#3 Keep Your Child Active
Nearly 1 in 6 children in the US are obese. So, for the good health of your child, keep them moving.
It’s recommended to begin establishing exercise habits in your child when they are 5 to 6 years old.
The best way to do it is by being a role model. When you get up, move, and do physical activity or exercise, your child also grows to like it too and gradually takes part in it.
Cycling, swimming, running, and jogging are some of the many safe and fun activities you can do with your child to keep them active and healthy.
Tip #4 Get Regular Check-ups and Immunization
Routine child check-ups from a pediatrician can help identify and address the child’s health problem as early as possible. Likewise, immunization is also essential to prevent illnesses and keep children healthy.
So, take your child to a pediatrician for routine check-ups and stay updated on their immunization. If your child is behind on vaccines, the pediatrician may also follow the catch-up schedule from the CDC to bring your child to current while ensuring that vaccination is a less scary experience for your child.
Children’s Health in Tampa, FL
If you want to make sure that your child stays on top of their health, take them regularly to their pediatrician. A pediatrician can meet all the medical needs of your child during both illness and health, as well as provide them with preventive care.
At Children’s Medical Center, we have a team of 21 pediatricians who will partner with you to keep your child healthy. Our clinics are medical homes for children of all ages, from newborns and toddlers to adolescents.
To get our pediatric services, call us today at (727) 787-6335 or contact us at any of our four clinics in Palm Harbor, Westchase, Trinity, and Lutz.
