Nothing or no-one will be more important to a parent than their children. They will, therefore, want to do everything in their power to protect their child’s health and well-being. If you’re a parent or planning to raise a family in the future, read the following advice on how to raise safe and healthy children.
Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy
It is important to care for your body before you become pregnant. For example, you should stop drinking alcohol, and it is recommended to take folic acid to help prevent your baby from experiencing any problems during pregnancy. It is also essential to gain a thorough understanding of your family’s health history, so you can identify if either you or your son or daughter are at risk of developing various diseases or health conditions. Make sure all your current health conditions are under control, and you have received up-to-date vaccinations.
Understand the Child Development Milestones
Children will reach different milestones as they grow. It is your job as the parent to monitor their development for play, speech, learning, and behavior. A delay could be a sign that your child is experiencing a development problem. So, the earlier you identify a problem, the sooner your child will be able to reach his or her full potential.
An Early Assessment of Crawling
It is common for many parents to worry if their child has trouble crawling. It might, therefore, be worthwhile visiting a chiropractor, such as Active Health, who can provide an early assessment of your son or daughter’s crawling or standing ability. As a result, they can identify areas for improvement to increase their mobility, so your child can reach his or her full potential.
Book Regular Check-ups and Vaccinations
To raise healthy, happy, and safe children, it can help to book regular check-ups with a doctor, who can monitor your child’s health and identify any potential health issues early on, which can help your little one to make a swift recovery. Your children must also receive the appropriate medical vaccinations, as they can prevent various diseases and save lives. So, write a list of all appointments and necessary vaccinations in your diary to continually protect your family’s health.
Secure Your Children from Danger
Almost every setting can pose a danger to your child’s health and safety, and it is your responsibility as a parent to provide your kids with a safe environment. You must, therefore, ensure they sit in a car seat that is appropriate for both their size and age and that it is securely fitted inside the vehicle. You must also keep various harmful substances and objects out of reach from your children; for example, medicine and household cleaning products should be stored in a tall cupboard, which should ideally be locked.
Provide a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet will ensure your children will have the nutrients they need to build healthy, strong bones and develop a good immune system, and it will also ensure they are bursting with energy. Many experts recommend for new mothers to breastfeed newborns, if possible, to provide their child with essential nutrients. Toddlers and children should also enjoy fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grain so they can develop a healthy and happy mind and body. A healthy lifestyle can also encourage them to make better food choices into adulthood, which can prevent the development of various health conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Encourage an Active Lifestyle
Many children would happily play video games or watch TV all day if you allowed them to. Unfortunately, this inactivity can negatively impact their health, which is why you must encourage them to be active for at least one hour per day. Provide fun physical activities that can raise their heart rate whilst strengthening their muscles and bones, so they can grow to be healthy and strong. For example, you can do fun, active exercises as a family, such as a bicycle ride, hiking, or a game of chase. So, you can create wonderful memories with your children whilst protecting their health.
Quit Smoking for Good
You must quit smoking if you are raising a family. Smoking is not only detrimental to your health, but second-hand smoke can also be harmful to your growing family. Not only must you stop smoking during pregnancy to avoid premature birth or other health issues, but you must quit cigarettes for good once your child arrives in the world. If you don’t, your child could develop bronchitis, ear problems, asthma, or another serious health condition. So, raise a healthy family by making your home and vehicles a smoke-free environment, and this rule should also apply to any visitors. If you need help quitting smoking for good, discuss your options with a doctor who can provide expert advice.
Teach Healthy Habits to Your Children
You will want to ensure your children make the right choices for their health when you are not with them. For this reason, you must try to teach healthy habits, so they can make the best choices for their needs. So, show your children how to fasten their seatbelt, make sure they always wear a helmet whilst cycling or skating, and that they understand the importance of sunscreen and how to apply it onto their body. You should also lead by example, to ensure they see you brush your teeth and floss twice a day, wash your hands after using the bathroom, and that you only form healthy relationships. They will be more likely to follow in your footsteps, as a result.
Respond to Their Emotional Needs
Every child needs to feel both loved and supported, regardless of their age. Provide your child with regular affection, so they feel happy and secure within the family home. You should also try to regularly talk to your child to learn more about their lives both inside and outside the home. The more you talk to your child, the easier it might be for them to open up to you to discuss their worries or problems.