At CHOC, our pediatricians partner with parents and caregivers to help ensure kids and teens are staying healthy and well throughout their childhood.
Although there are many different aspects of a child’s health and wellness, Dr. Reshmi Basu, a pediatrician in CHOC’s primary care network, outlines six things she wants parents to remember when caring for their kids.
Six ways to help make sure your child is staying healthy
1. Get your flu shot.
The flu can make kids and adults much sicker than a regular cold and can have more complications, like pneumonia, so it’s important that everyone in the household over 6 months old receives a flu shot.
If there is a new baby in the family, you can protect the baby by making sure anyone in contact with the baby has received the flu vaccine too.
2. Wash hands often to keep germs away.
Proper handwashing is especially important during cold and flu season. And remember to wash for at least 15 to 20 seconds and make sure to scrub between fingers and under nails.
3. Protect your child’s skin.
During the winter, it’s important to moisturize your child’s skin frequently throughout the day, especially after baths or showers, to treat and prevent it from becoming dry.
If you’ll be out in the sun, don’t forget sunscreen. It’s best to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply often.
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4. Make well-child appointments and stay up to date on vaccinations.
When children are young, there are frequent well checks with the pediatrician; these appointments usually include vaccines.
As children get older (after 5 years old) and vaccines are not a part of every visit, it is easy to forget the well checks. They are still important, however, to see how your child is growing, how they are doing in school and to discuss any concerns. It’s also a good opportunity to get the flu shot (depending on the time of year) and ensure all other vaccines are current.
5. Stay active.
Find time to be active. Make it a family activity — go on a hike, ride bikes together or play in the park.
6. Read aloud to young children, starting at birth.
Try to read together for at least 15 minutes every day. Reading to your kids from a young age can help them with their speech development, communication skills and even academic performance. And it’s a fun way to spend time together!
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Find a CHOC Primary Care Pediatrician
From babies to teens, pediatricians from CHOC’s Primary Care Network partner with parents to offer immunizations, sick visits, sports physicals and more.
