As children’s immune systems are still being formed, the first months of life represent a great challenge for their health and the family needs to be attentive to child care. childhood immunity to prevent disease and infection. In this battle, pediatricians and obstetricians are fundamental allies and can help to go through this phase of life with more tranquility.
Care for Life, in partnership with pediatrician Patricia Terrivel, prepared a quick guide with practical and effective tips to avoid common childhood illnesses and keep children healthier, especially during the winter and throughout the school year. Get ready to learn and put into practice these simple yet powerful strategies that will help keep your flu, cold and other illnesses away from babies and children. Let’s go!
How to prevent common illnesses and keep children healthy?
Taking care of a child’s health should begin even before birth. According to the doctor. Patricia, measures in favor of the baby’s health begin during pregnancy, during the prenatal. That’s why it’s so important to go to all obstetrician appointments, do all the tests, eat right and take all the vitamins necessary for the development of the fetus. The pediatrician also recommended other tips that help keep your children healthy and prevent common diseases:
– Prioritize the exclusive breastfeeding, since breast-fed children are less sick. “This in the long term, not only while they are breastfeeding, because they acquire immunity over time”, added the doctor;
– maintain monthly routine appointments with the pediatrician;
– supplement the child with mandatory vitamins;
– carry out routine examinations, in the case of older children;
– ensure a healthy diet rich in fruits, proteins, vegetables and salads;
– having vaccines up to date, both in the mandatory calendar and in the campaigns.
Know the most important vaccines for children’s health
Keep the childhood vaccination schedule up to date is a measure that makes all the difference throughout life, even in adulthood. “Since the child is born, he will need to be vaccinated practically every month: BCG, hepatitis A and B, chickenpox and others present in the calendar are fundamental. In addition to these, there are two that are also very important, but which are not available in the SUS: meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY. Therefore, parents who have conditions should include these two more”, recommends the doctor.
Hygiene care and disease prevention measures in children
Vaccines are a great help in preventing these most common diseases in children, but they are not the only way to avoid them. The pediatrician states that it is also important to include care with hygiene, such as daily nasal wash with saline solution: “When the child comes home from school, it is necessary to wash the nose well, because if there is any leftover secretion, any virus in that secretion, the serum can already be washed. When the child has a cold, it is recommended to do this ritual several times a day. In cases of prevention, wash only once a day”. Other prevention tips that should be practiced by children and their caregivers are:
– Wash your hands whenever possible;
– use gel alcohol when you are on the street;
– sanitize toys frequently;
– keep windows open and environments well ventilated.
Balanced eating and physical activity in childhood are essential!
Insisting on a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is also key to strengthening the immune system and preventing disease. “It’s better to invest in foods rich in vitamins than to buy industrialized ones at the pharmacy. No need to buy vitamin C, for example. Instead, offer citrus fruits for the child to eat for lunch”, recommended the doctor.
A practice of physical activities is another pillar in the prevention of common childhood illnesses and should be encouraged from an early age, both for the intellectual development and for the physiological health of the little one. “We talk a lot about the first 1000 days of a child’s life. So, if she doesn’t have a proper diet, if she eats a lot of sweets and processed foods, she has a greater chance of developing obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes as an adult, as well as cardiovascular risks. Most children nowadays, especially in the post-pandemic period, have been showing an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and the practice of physical activity helps a lot in this matter ”, concluded Dr. Patricia.
The post Care for Life.
Source: cuidadospelavida.com.br
