Keeping your kids healthy is essential in reducing the amount of time they get sick. It also helps ensure that they grow and develop without conditions that may affect them later in life. Children pick up a lot of germs while playing, which may cause infections and illnesses. They can also easily transfer those infections while in the classroom or on the playground. 

Growing healthy children involves giving kids proper diets, teaching them how to clean themselves properly, and promoting healthy mental growth. A healthy diet is fundamental in maintaining weight and helps reduce the risk of illnesses. Children need nutrients for proper growth and development. These also ensure that kids have appropriate body weight, high self-esteem, strong muscles and bones, and plenty of energy to be active. Here are 10 tips from mom-pediatricians on how to keep kids healthy.

1. Encourage Imaginative Play and Exercise

It is important to encourage your child to play to prevent conditions such as childhood obesity. Parents should encourage old-fashioned play by reducing TV and gadget screen time. This involves taking the kids out to play in the yard and doing activities that promote physical and mental stimulation. If the weather is favorable, let your kids play at least once every day after they are through with their homework.

2. Wash Hands Frequently

Washing hands frequently is essential in growing healthy children. Children should wash their hands before meals and after touching or playing with pets and animals. They should also wash after using the bathroom, coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. It is important to constantly remind your kids to wash their hands as they may downplay the purpose of it. Washing hands is a very effective way to prevent the spread of disease-causing germs.

2. Wash Hands Frequently

3. Limit the Use of Antibacterial Soaps and Chemical Cleaners

Some parents may be overprotective and employ high standards of hygiene. This involves using antibacterial soaps and strong cleaners to inhibit or kill bacteria. While using these measures is beneficial, it also kills some essential bacteria that help keep kids healthy. Simple measures such as water and soap are adequate for washing hands, and gentle cleaners such as water and vinegar are fine for cleaning surfaces.

4. Keep Kids Home When They Are Sick

It is advisable to keep kids at home when they develop illnesses like a fever or a cold. Staying at home ensures that they get plenty of rest and fluids and increases the chances of a quick recovery. It also prevents them from catching a secondary infection or spreading their virus to other children at school.

5. Keep Vaccinations Up to Date

Parents should also make sure their children are up to date with all vaccines and immunizations. Vaccines help protect kids against the risk of developing or spreading diseases. Healthy happy children pediatrics insists on getting all immunizations, including the seasonal flu vaccine, to ensure kids are healthy. 

It is also important for parents to learn about common childhood illnesses. Children are faced with various common diseases and conditions as they grow up, including strep throat, the flu, pink eye, and lice. Knowing about these and how best to care for kids when they get sick will help stop the spread of illnesses and keep children healthy. Parents should also keep an eye on any allergies their kids might have and get the necessary treatment to prevent a severe reaction.

6. Eat Healthy Meals and Drinks

Offering kids healthy meals and drinks are important for growing healthy children. A healthy diet consists of food full of nutrients necessary for growth and a strong immune system. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. They promote good health by offering protection against diseases. Poor diets cause inflammation and stress the immune system. 

Children who lack healthy foods tend to be irritable, moody, or aggressive. They are also unable to focus or concentrate on tasks and have less energy for daily activities. These kids usually do not perform well in school and stand at a higher risk of developing dental health problems, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes and becoming overweight and obese. 

It is also important to keep children hydrated. Staying hydrated has many benefits, including preventing fatigue, improving brain function, and aiding in digestion and weight maintenance. Children should be offered healthy drink choices like milk and lots of water. Beverages like sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, and coffees that have sweeteners are not healthy for kids. They contain caffeine, sugar, and unwanted stimulants and ingredients that can lead to weight gain. Other effects include increased heart rate, interrupted sleep, irritability, and nervousness.

7. Allow Occasional Junk Foods

Junk foods are unhealthy due to their high levels of cholesterol and fat, among other things. However, forbidding kids from eating certain foods has a psychological effect. Children will crave the foods they can’t get, which may lead to problems later in life as they overindulge. It is important to allow kids to eat junk foods and snacks occasionally. However, this should be supervised as too much can lead to other health problems.

7. Allow Occasional Junk Foods

8. Give a Daily Probiotic

Probiotics consist of yeasts and live bacteria that are good for kids’ health. They are especially useful for increasing the efficiency of the digestive system. These are good bacteria since they help keep the gut healthy. There is also recent research that suggests probiotics are good for the immune system. They can be administered in larger doses when kids have illnesses.

9. Let Kids Feel Their Feelings

Poor emotional health can be linked with a weak immune system, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other effects include increased susceptibility to colds and other illnesses. Recognizing and respecting your child’s feelings can help boost their health. It is better to give kids space to connect and feel their emotions rather than dismiss them.

10. Insist on Sleep

Sleep enables the body to restore and repair itself. Adequate rest and good sleep habits help kids to be less susceptible to germs and viruses. Research has shown that kids who get sufficient sleep have improved behavior, attention, learning abilities, memory, and overall mental and physical health. Lack of enough sleep can lead to obesity in children. It is essential to establish a consistent bedtime routine for your kids and limit screen time. 

Increased screen time on phones, tablets, video games, or computers can have health effects on kids. Screen time that is not spent on doing homework or learning should be reduced to less than two hours a day. The light emitted by screens can lower melatonin levels and make it difficult for children to sleep. It also can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm.

Promoting good habits in children ensures that they grow happy and healthy. The average child gets infected by illnesses about five to seven times a year. This number may increase due to unhygienic and poor health standards. If you are looking for more ways to keep your child healthy and safe, contact us at the Worldwide Pediatrics Group for more information. We help parents and caregivers achieve their goals with a caring, patients-first approach to diligent medical care.