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F
e a t u r e
T
here’s a baby
on the way!
And boy—or
girl—it’s excit-
ing!
✦
You’ve
picked out a
crib, stocked
up on diapers
and pondered
over a long list
of names. And more than once
you’ve daydreamed about cud-
dling with your newborn and
inhaling that downy soft, new-
baby smell that simply makes you
close your eyes and smi le.
Anticipation can be half of the fun of having
a child. And although people have different
thoughts about what they’re most looking
forward to with their little one’s arrival,
virtually everyone can agree on this: What
matters most is that your child will be
healthy—at birth and as he or she grows.
Before and during pregnancy you can
take important steps to help keep your
child healthy. And once your baby is born,
you can do even more. Whether your child
is 6 months old, 6 years or 16, the keys to
keeping kids well are largely the same.
Here are a few big ones.
TEAM UP WITH A DOCTOR
Doctor vis-
its are important when children are sick.
But often, they’re just as important when
kids are well. Regular checkups allow the
doctor to monitor your child’s growth and
development, identify health problems
and provide guidance to you as a parent.
According to the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP), the first well-child
visit typically occurs three to five days
after birth, followed by visits at ages 1, 2,
4 and 6 months. Appointments are then
scheduled every three months until the
child is 18 months old, and then every
six months until the child turns 3. Yearly
checkups should follow.
As your child gets older, he or she may
take a more active role in the visits and
receive counseling on living a healthy
lifestyle.
KEEP IMMUNIZATIONS UP-TO-DATE
Regular doctor visits also provide an op-
portunity for immunizations. According
to the AAP, since immunizations were first
introduced, they have reduced the num-
ber of infections from vaccine-preventable
diseases by more than 90 percent. These
infections can be serious—even fatal.
Most childhood vaccines are given in
the first two years of life. But some are
needed before children start school and
later in their teenage years.
For information on the types of immu-
nizations your child needs and when, go to
www.cdc.gov
. Type “immunization
schedules” in the search box.
WATCH YOUR CHILD’S WEIGHT
America
has a weight problem. And it must be
taken seriously, because extra pounds can
lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, low
self-esteem and a host of other ills. Some
of these health problems primarily affect
adults. But many affect overweight kids
too. Also, children who are overweight are
more likely to be overweight later in life.
It’s not always easy to know if your child
is too heavy, because kids grow at differ-
ent rates. Your child’s doctor can tell you
if your child weighs more than he or she
should, and, if so, what to do.
For babies, breast milk provides the best
nutrition. It also offers many other health
benefits—including the fact that it may
keep your child leaner later in life, reports
the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
As your child gets older, eating well and
being physically active grow in importance.
To help children eat better:
1
Start each day with breakfast. Skipping
this important meal may make kids more
hungry later in the day—and more likely
to turn to junk food.
2
Eat meals as a family. It keeps you con-
nected. Plus, when families eat together
kids consume more healthful fruits and
vegetables, reports the National Health
Information Center.
3
Forget the clean plate rule. When your
kids say they’re full, let them quit eating.
4
Limit soda and other sugary drinks.
More healthful choices are water and,
for kids age 2 and older, fat-free or low-
fat milk. (Whole milk is better for kids
younger than 2 years.)
To help children be more active:
1
Lead an active lifestyle. Kids often
model their parents’ behavior.
2
Limit television, computer and video
game time. The AAP recommends no more
than two hours per day for most kids—
none at all for kids age 2 and younger.
3
Watch the clock. Experts say kids
should get 60 minutes of moderate-
intensity physical activity each day, if
possible.
4
Make fitness fun. Exercise doesn’t have
to be about doing push-ups and running
laps. Try scheduling family outings that
will be enjoyable, such as swimming or
ice skating.
5
Team up. Encourage your child to play
a team sport. But emphasize the pleasures
of taking part rather than the importance
of winning.
GIVE ATTENTION TO ORAL HEALTH
Good oral health enables children to
speak and eat well.
Early in life, wiping your baby’s gums
with a soft, damp cloth after feedings can
prevent the buildup of damaging bacteria.
Once teeth come in, you should brush
them with water and a baby toothbrush
after breakfast and before bed. Often
dentists will recommend using fluoride
toothpaste once your child reaches 2 years.
Just remind children not to swallow it.
According to the AAP, you can encour-
age toddlers to brush on their own, but
you’ll likely have to help them with a sec-
ond round of brushing. Helping your child
floss at age 2 may be recommended as well.
Try to avoid giving your children a lot
of soda or juice—especially in a bottle or
sippy cup. And remember not to reward
kids with candy or sweets. Hugs, stickers
or toys are healthier rewards.
Your child’s first dentist visit may be
suggested before age 1. Yearly checkups
are then advised.
SET THE STAGE FOR SLEEP
Regular
sleep is important for mental and physical
development.
Newborns need up to 18 hours of sleep
a day. Be sure to place them on their backs
to lower the risk of sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS).
The National Sleep Foundation reports
that as kids grow older, they typically need
less sleep—about 12 to 14 hours for tod-
dlers; 11 to 13 hours for preschoolers; and
10 to 11 hours for those ages 5 to 12. Teens
usually need at least nine hours.
You can help children develop better
sleep habits by establishing regular sleep
schedules and bedtime routines.
Creating a good sleep environment
where it’s dark, cool and quiet will also
be beneficial.
SOME FINAL ADVICE
This isn’t a com-
plete list of things you can do to help your
child stay healthy. There are many other
things too. For example, keep your home
and car smoke-free, require your kids
to use safety equipment—such as bike
helmets and seatbelts—and watch them
carefully whenever they’re near water.
Your child’s doctor, of course, can offer
more tips.
PUT YOUR CHILD
GOOD HEALTH
O N T H E P A T H T O
S P R I N G 2 0 1 2
4
H E A L T H B E A T