Every child is different, but certain childcare tips are universal. For most parents, nothing is more important than their child’s health. However, not every parent knows the exact way to go about keeping their child healthy. Think of it as running a marathon. You know what to do, but when it comes actually doing it, it gets tough. The same is with parenting.
Our paediatric clinics, across Dubai, Sharjah & Ajman are well equipped to help you understand your child’s needs and how to keep them happy and healthy.
As one of the best paediatric specialists in Dubai, Sharjah & Ajman we’ve got you covered on childcare management. Here is a simple childcare guide that will make sure your child eats healthy, sleeps well, exercises enough, and indulges in intellectually stimulating activities like reading.
So let’s begin.
A is for Attention to detail.
Due to weather change, rise in pollution levels, and dust storms your child can suffer from prolonged cough. This cough can later turn into Asthma. A timely diagnosis with our paediatrician can help you tackle it better.
B is for Babies
Well-Baby Checkups are the best way to keep a tab on your newborn’s progress. Your paediatrician will help you understand the milestones and what needs to be done to achieve them and help your baby grow strong and healthy.
C is for Clean-Screens
Mobile phones, tabs and laptops have become the new-age toys for babies, toddlers, and even teens. A dirty screen can become a germ hotspot, spreading infectious diseases easier than you think.
D is for Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies in children, in Dubai.
Vitamin D is important for the growth and development of strong bones. On an average 2-3 hours of sunlight does good to children, keeps them away from diseases like Ricketts, and helps in strong bone development.
E is for Exercise
Exercise and intellectual stimulation often go hand-in-hand. A good way to begin is by reading to your infant from birth onward. And when it comes to exercise even jumping up and down counts.
F is for Flu Shot
Getting your children their flu shots is preparing their immune systems to generate antibodies for defense against a viral attack. By regularly visiting a paediatric specialist, will help your children get viral infection treatment in time and keep them healthy.
G is for Good Health
One of the easiest ways to make sure your child stays healthy is by teaching them healthy habits. Make them understand how exercise keeps diseases and illnesses away, while healthy food gives them the energy to play.
H is for Hydration
Water is important for everybody. More so for children. As a good rule of thumb, children up to 8 years of age should have a minimum of 4-5 cups of water a day. Those above 8 years require at least 6-8 cups of water a day.
I is for Immunization
Immunization is the stage when a vaccine starts working and protects them against diseases. Immunization not only keeps your child safe but also helps stop of diseases from one child to another.
J is for Juices
While some may argue that eating fruit is better than juicing it when it comes to kids, either way works. The point is to feed your child with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep their energy up and improve their overall health.
K is for Kids
Children are born curious. And curb that curiosity can affect their overall mental and physical growth. Therefore, it’s important to encourage outdoor play, imagination, and socializing among children, early on.
L is for Language Learning
Learning a new language does not only make your child smart but makes them culturally sensitive as well, teaching them new customs and points of view.
M is for Minimal Sugar Intake
American Academy of Paediatrics, suggests that children who get more than 10% of their daily calories from sugar are at greater health risks in the future. It is important to keep their sugar intake in control and not let them go overboard with it.
N is for Nutritious Food
Make sure your child’s plate has balanced nutrients- enough carbs for energy, healthy fats, calcium, and even cholesterol for brain, nerves, and healthy cell development.
O is for Oral Hygiene
Just like adults, even children need to brush at least twice a day. And those who have braces might need to brush a few times more. Speaking to a dentist can help your child understand the correct way to brush, which toothpaste to choose, and even which brush to pick.
P is for Posture
Most children end up slouching on their chairs. Encouraging them to sit up straight can help more than just the musculoskeletal system of the body. The right static posture keeps muscles flexible, reduces the risk of falling, and may even improve digestion and breathing.
Q is for Questions
As children grow older, their list of questions also grows. Keep an open mind and let your children not be afraid of your reaction.
R is for Reading
Reading is a great way to introduce intellectual stimulation to your child. Reading not only helps you bond with them but also gives your children a sense of intimacy and well-being.
S is for Salt
Children ideally need about 1500 mg of salt in their diet. Extra salt can lead to a number of health issues in their adulthood including high blood pressure, osteoporosis, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, stomach cancer, and obesity.
T is for Togetherness
Spending time together is the greatest gift you can give your child. Try and cook with them, take them out shopping, even if it is for groceries, and ask them to help you out with work. Involve your child in your daily activities to create that emotional bond that a child needs for healthy development.
U is for Unique
It is very important to understand that every child is unique. They take their own sweet time to bloom and develop their own personalities. As parents, we can only be encouraging, supportive, and complacent with their developments.
V is for Vaccination
On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
W is for Weight Watch
Childhood obesity has become a serious problem, especially in the last few years. The best way to tackle this is to encourage children to play outdoors, limit screen time, and make healthy eating a family habit and not just for your child. You can always visit your doctor for obesity screening and timely advice.
X is for (E)Xtra love
At times your kids will need a little extra from you- love, encouragement, time, attention. It is perfectly alright to indulge in a little extra pampering from time to time as it helps strengthen the emotional bond and makes them feel secure about having you around whenever they need you.
Y is for Yelling
Yelling at your kids is natural and perfectly normal if done in the right manner. Increasing your volume and changing your tone to a slightly stern one, can get your kids to listen and quiet down when you really need them to. Anything above that can get qualified as emotional abuse and have long-term effects like low self-esteem, anxiety, etc.
Z is for Zzzz
Routines can improve the quality and length of sleep. Getting a good night's sleep is essential to maintaining long-term healthy eating and physical activity habits.
To know more about child care, book an appointment with any of our pediatricians at Prime Hospital or Prime Medical Centers.
Book Your Appointment