Below are some tips for how to keep your children safe, healthy, and happy.
With everything going on right now, more and more parents are focusing on ways to keep their children healthy. Here at Pediatric Associates of Davidson County in Nashville, TN, our pediatricians are committed to ensuring that each and every child gets the proper care they need to grow up healthy and strong. Here are some tips to help keep your child healthy all year long:
Nutrition
What your child consumes on a daily basis can have a profound impact on their health. Since children are growing by leaps and bounds, it’s particularly important that they are receiving everything they need from their diet to reach these developmental milestones. While you do want to limit sugar and junk food, you don’t have to ban these foods completely (they can be a nice reward).
On a daily basis, children should be receiving protein, fruits, veggies, complex carbs, and healthy fats (think avocados and nuts, not processed foods and snacks). Also, opt for healthy snack options (e.g. almond butter on celery or hummus and carrots) rather than reaching for cookies or chips.
Physical exercise
Children and teens should be active for at least one hour every day. This is why it’s a good idea to get them involved in extracurricular sports to increase their activity levels throughout the week. Get their hearts pumping, reduce their risk for obesity, and promote strong, healthy bones and muscles.
Teach proper handwashing
You’ve probably been hearing a lot about the importance of handwashing lately. Knowing how to properly wash your hands is crucial for preventing the spread of germs. Your child should be washing their hands,
- Before eating
- After using the bathroom
- After playing with pets
- After sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose
Immunizations and Check-ups
It’s important that your child visits their Nashville pediatrician for routine checkups, immunizations, physicals, and other preventive tools to keep them healthy. Vaccines are particularly important for protecting children from dangerous and potentially life-threatening diseases. The CDC provides online vaccine schedules from birth to 18 years old here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/schedules/index.html
Prioritize Your Child's Health
Now more than ever, it’s important that you are keeping your children up to date on their immunizations here in Nashville, TN. To schedule your child’s next checkup or to inquire about the next round of immunizations they need, don’t hesitate to call Pediatric Associates of Davidson County at (615) 329-3595. Your child’s health is our top priority!
