Category: Healthy Child

AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits

Ref: AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits

Ref: Why Well-Child Visits Matter (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Don’t fall behind on your child’s routine care — a minor issue today could become a major problem tomorrow.

In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to make sure your child regularly visits the doctor – not just when they are sick, but also when they are well.

Well-child visits allow your pediatrician to examine your child holistically, assess their physical and emotional needs, support their growth and development, and intervene quickly if any issues arise.

Image from healthychildren.org

What are the risks of skipping well-child visits?

If your child is healthy, it can be easy to let well visits fall by the wayside. While those annual checkups may seem like just another thing to fit into your family’s hectic schedule, they play a crucial role in preventing future problems. Well visits are essential to ensure your child gets the required vaccinations to attend school, go to daycare and participate in sports. Visiting the pediatrician when your child is well also provides you with an opportunity to ask questions – and get expert answers – about your child’s health, development and well-being. Delaying these visits can put your child at greater risk of illness or delay needed interventions. For example, many common developmental delays are discovered during routine checkups with pediatricians – early intervention makes a big difference in getting your child the support they need before something small turns into a bigger issue.

Read More

What’s on MyPlate

Source: https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/what-is-myplate

Start Simple with MyPlate

The benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite. Small changes matter. Start Simple with MyPlate.

A healthy eating routine is important at every stage of life. It can have positive effects that add up over time. It’s important to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. When deciding what to eat or drink, choose options that are full of nutrients. Make every bite count

Read More

Habits to start NOW! At any age

Source: https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6213-7-healthy-habits-to-teach-your-kids

Start your children on the path to well-being

Parents can help their children develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits.

“Children look up to their parents, so parents can set a good example,” says Kimberly Leek, MD, a pediatrician at Scripps Clinic, Santee.

Try these seven tips to get you and your family started.

1. Keep it positive

“Helping your children develop a positive attitude can greatly contribute to their well-being throughout their lives and help them build resilience,” says Dr. Leek. “Tell kids what they can do, not what they can’t and celebrate successes.”

2. Limit screen time

Children and teens are growing up immersed in the digital world, exposed to digital media at all hours of the day, including computers, smartphones and television. Parents play an important role in teaching their children how to use screen time in a healthy way that can enhance daily life.

“Make your own family media use plan, set limits and encourage play,” says Dr. Leek. “Overuse of media can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and displace important social interactions, exercise and even sleep.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has tools to help you create a personalized family media use plan.

Read More

Teen depression

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20350985

Image: nationwidechildrens.org

Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how your teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems. Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and adults.

Issues such as peer pressure, academic expectations and changing bodies can bring a lot of ups and downs for teens. But for some teens, the lows are more than just temporary feelings — they’re a symptom of depression.

Teen depression isn’t a weakness or something that can be overcome with willpower — it can have serious consequences and requires long-term treatment. For most teens, depression symptoms ease with treatment such as medication and psychological counseling.

Symptoms

Read More