Everyone wants to have their little ones grow up in the best physical condition they can be. However, as a new parent, you might be overwhelmed with the amount of solicited and unsolicited advice you’re given. Instead, stick to the basics of raising healthy children in your home. Learn what should be the best for you and your kids. Here’s how you can take good care of them.
Use Sunscreen
Children are prone to getting sunburn. Apply sunscreen on their bodies and use other preventive measures as much as possible. Newborns and young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight at all times. Meanwhile, kids aged six months or older should have a layer of sunscreen on whenever they come in contact with sunlight.
Maintain a Set Bedtime
As much as you want to keep spending time with your children, encouraging them to stay up past their regular bedtime is detrimental. Sleep deprivation can make them hyperactive and perform worse in their studies. Plus, sleeping beyond 9 PM adds a few more behavioral changes.
Give them an environment that’s conducive to quality sleep. Consider placing a white noise machine, a reliable blanket fan, pretty star projectors, and other tools in their room. Then, establish a regular bedtime routine that your kids can follow with you every night. Remember that the younger your child is, the more sleep they will need. After kindergarten, young children require nine to 11 hours. Meanwhile, preschoolers should get at least ten to 13 hours, and toddlers need 11 to 14 hours, plus naps.
Have Them Vaccinated
The human immune system starts responding to vaccines and other changes before babies and toddlers even turn two years old. It is during this stage where the immunizations given to children will be most effective. This is why it’s best to get them vaccinated before even becoming at risk from various dangerous diseases they may encounter later on. Keep in mind that delaying or deviating from the schedule may also cause more unpleasant side effects.
Encourage Physical Activity
There are plenty of health benefits children can gain simply by being physically active. First and foremost, it strengthens their hearts, lungs, muscles, and bones. Beyond that, it also keeps them at a healthy weight and boosts their flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Encourage various opportunities for movement such as going on a walk, dancing, riding a bike, or engaging in organized sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Instill these habits in them early on and get them to participate in energetic play. In doing so, they will have a reduced risk of developing cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Give Them Fruits and Vegetables
Teach your children to eat fruits and vegetables as early as possible. Don’t be discouraged when they reject some food choices. Oftentimes, this is mainly because they are unfamiliar to them. However, after roughly 15 attempts, they may start to tolerate the fruits and vegetables they initially disliked. Keep in mind that, ideally, your children should be eating five servings daily. This helps their body protect themselves from cancer, avoid obesity, and keep their heart in great condition.
Have Their Teeth Brushed Regularly
When your child begins developing teeth, make it a priority to educate them on proper brushing. Protect their teeth with fluoride toothpaste that builds and preserves the enamel covering. This allows them to actively avoid developing tooth decay that may become painful infections that disturb their sleep and appetite.
Practice Proper Handwashing
Teach your children the basics of proper healthcare, focusing on the little ways they can avoid getting sick. Proper handwashing is one of the essential skills they can have that prevents germs and diseases. Make it fun for them by singing a nursery rhyme while demonstrating how to wash their hands properly. Once the song is done, they will know that it’s time to rinse with water.
Instill the Importance of Emotional Health in Them
Overall wellness requires both good mental health and physical health. Teach your children the social skills they require to express their feelings. Likewise, guide them on how to process and cope with their emotions when they face difficult situations. Learning how to be emotionally healthy while they’re young will allow them to manage stress better when they grow older. This then helps them avoid developing mental health issues and chronic problems.
Raising a Healthy Child
First-time parents receive a lot of unwanted advice on how to raise their kids. On top of that, you also have a lot of new duties and responsibilities that add up. Stick to the basics, and in no time, you can make sure that your kids will grow up equipped to stay in tip-top shape.
