27 brilliant health tips every Utah parent should know
Being a parent isn’t easy, but there is no more rewarding job. Follow these 27 tips to keep your children happy and healthy.
1. Start thinking about your child’s health early. During pregnancy, speak to a professional about healthy living lips. You can learn more about OB/GYN and women’s services from Revere Health if interested in setting up a consultation.
2. Follow a healthy pregnancy plan. Healthy kids start in the womb. Keep all screening appointments during and after pregnancy.
3. Create a medicinal home. A medicinal home is a term coined to describe a household that ensures a child receives regular medical care from a family practitioner.
4. Find a family physician you can trust. For instance, learn more about Dr. Brandon Hall with Revere Health if you want a family doctor who will take a vested interest in your child’s health.
5. Recognize developmental milestones. Alerting your family doctor about any developmental delays is essential.
6. Consider breastfeeding. For babies, breast is best to help meet their nutritional needs.
7. Make your car safe. Follow all manufacturer guidelines to keep your child secured by car seats and safety belts while driving.
8. Keep your home safe. Protect your children from possible dangers such as exposed outlets and heavy furniture pieces that could fall.
9. Get vaccinated. The bottom line is vaccines save lives.
10. Communicate face to face. Focus on developing language skills by back and forth conversations.
11. Be a health-conscious role model. Lead by example.
12. Teach basic hygiene principals such as hand washing and tooth brushing.
13. Protect your children from second-hand smoke. Exposing children to smoking puts them at risk for asthma, SIDS, ear problems, and upper respiratory infections.
14. Control their media consumption. Set limits and encourage playtime outdoors to stimulate creative impulses.
15. Make mealtimes count. Eat as a family and keep the table a “no tech zone.”
16. Keep healthy, nutrient-dense food on hand such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products.
17. Read food labels. Make a game of having your kids check food labels to uncover any potentially unhealthy ingredients.
18. Promote a positive body image. Don’t focus on weight, instead concentrate on nutritious habits.
19. Don’t rely on supplements for your child’s nutrition. Only use vitamins at your doctor’s recommendation.
20. Get moving. Utah is the perfect place to get outside and stay physically fit.
21. Require at least one hour of physical activity each day. Make a game of it by using fitness trackers to encourage exercise goals.
22. Ask your child to wear a helmet while riding a bike or using a scooter.
23. Address any sports-related injuries, no matter how small they seem. Children in Utah live very active lifestyles, so it’s important to get them checked out if they sustain any injuries on or off the field. A doctor like Dr. Ryan Slater specializes in treating youth athletes. Learn more about Dr. Ryan Slater with Revere Health through the health center’s website.
24. Celebrate good behavior with positive rewards. Don’t rely on candy and video games.
25. Be a homework helper. Support children as they struggle through their homework assignments.
26. Boost your child’s self-esteem. Enforce rules, but catch your kids behaving as well.
27. Foster your child’s independent side. Give your child the power to make certain day to day decisions.
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