By Marta Edmonds, MD, pediatrician and founder of Great Bend Children’s Clinic
Among the many concerns you have as a parent, the health of your children is likely near the top of the list. Here are several ways you can help keep your children as healthy as possible.
1. Routine checkups
Routine checkups for children from birth to age 18 are one of the most important tools a parent has to keep a child healthy. Routine checkups allow parents and children to establish a relationship with their physician or advanced practice provider (APP), which is important for several reasons, including:
Reassuring parents about what is normal in their child’s physical exam and development
Discovering abnormalities that may develop over time
Addressing mental and behavioral issues
A physician or APP who is well-acquainted with a child who has been seen over time has a greater appreciation for a change in the child or adolescent, which makes diagnostics more accurate. In addition, at well-child checkups, important developmental milestones such as hearing, vision, speech, social and emotional, and fine and gross motor skills are addressed. If an abnormality is found, early intervention can make a profound difference in the outcome for a child.
2. Immunizations
A schedule of recommended vaccines has been carefully developed for each age and is followed by healthcare professionals throughout the nation. When we look back over the history of medical interventions that have had a significant impact on the health of infants, children and teens, immunizations are at the top. Diseases that in the past contributed to significant death or disability – sometimes lifelong disability – have been virtually eradicated.
Herd immunity, which is protection of the population because the majority of people have been vaccinated – helps children who are unable to be vaccinated because of cancer or other chronic illnesses. It is important to remember that there is no herd immunity for tetanus, so routine Tdap or Dtap vaccination is essential.
In recent years, myths have circulated about the safety of vaccines. These myths are unfounded and have frightened parents. Vaccines have been thoroughly studied and safely given to millions of children for many decades. They continue to be safe and effective protection against dangerous childhood diseases and improve with each new development.
3. Sleep
It cannot be overstated how important sleep is for all of us, but it’s especially important for our kids. The amount of sleep required does change by age. Here are recommendations for the amount of sleep kids of different ages should get:
Newborns – 14-17 hours a day
Infants – 12-16 hours a day including naps
Toddlers – 11-14 hours a day including naps
Preschoolers – 10-13 hours a day including naps
School-age children – 9-12 hours a day
Teens – 8-10 hours a day
Many families struggle with sleep issues. The most important first step is to establish a consistent bedtime routine. This should start with newborns who sleep on their back, in a small crib or bassinet separate from their parent. As babies get older they may be moved to a crib, then a bed, again with a structured bedtime routine. This routine may include activities such as a bath, bedtime story and lots ofreassurance. Preschoolers and school-age children also need a regular bedtime and structured bedtime routine.
Adolescents struggle the most with getting enough sleep. They have so many distractions and the most significant is electronics. Cell phones should not be allowed in bedrooms during sleep. Televisions also shouldn’t be in kids’ bedrooms. Electronic stimulation has been found to interfere significantly with sleep, so turning off all electronics at least 30 minutes before going to bed is helpful.
4. Cell phone use
Cell phones have become ubiquitous among all but the youngest pediatric patients. Even toddlers and preschool children know how to manipulate cell phones, play games, watch videos and even make calls by icon recognition. As children mature, their cell phones become vitally important to them. While cell phones have many benefits, they also come with risks, such as:
Interfering with sleep
Detracting from personal interactions with parents and others
Taking time from reading books and building vocabulary
Occupying time that could be spent in creative activities or vigorous sports
Interrupting time spent as a family
Remember, cell phones can also provide access to children and teens by people who have bad intentions. I recommend cell phone use be carefully supervised by parents, setting parameters for the amount of time cell phone use is allowed and not allowing cell phones in the bedroom, where they interrupt sleep.
However, another important aspect of cell phone use is the behavior parents model in their own use of cell phones. It’s difficult for children to understand that their access should be limited when a parent uses their own cell phone continuously.
As with each of these aspects of children’s health, we must remember that as adults and parents we must model healthy habits ourselves. This includes regular preventive healthcare, appropriate vaccinations, good sleep hygiene and putting our cell phones down for face-to-face interaction with each other and our children.
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