Tag Archives: parenting

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle, Parenting

Health Habits Parents Need To Start With Early

01/26/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Every one of us has some bad habits that we would rather not. In fact, you may have experienced how difficult those habits can be to get away from and this can be the case because they have been ingrained in us since childhood. Rather than letting your kids pick up bad habits that they would rather get rid of, here are a few healthier habits that you can ingrain into them while they’re still young.

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Get up and get moving

Exercise is one of the most difficult habits for even adults to pick up, themselves when they’re not accustomed to it. Getting the motivation and getting used to being more active can be quite the hurdle. Your kids are likely to already be quite active, with playtime doing a lot to keep them moving for the first few years. However, as they get older, if they’re not getting into sports teams, then it’s a good idea to find ways to be active together. Whether it’s with bike rides, walks, or anything else, your kids are a lot more to keep up if you’re there taking part with them.

Taking care of their teeth

The impact that dental neglect can have on a child’s self-esteem and confidence in the future can be devastating. Your child isn’t to blame if this happens, it’s usually due to a poor enforcement of dental hygiene habits as a child. Make sure that you visit the dentist with them early and often, taking care of their teeth and getting all of the oral care advice that you need. If they get into the routine of brushing, and then later flossing and rinsing once they have their adult teeth, it’s not a habit that they’re likely to lose as they get older. If they don’t get that habit early, they might not get it at all.

Making good eating choices

A lot of parents feed their kids all manner of unhealthy snacks, like candy, soda, chips, and more, that are going to do very little to give their body the nutrients it needs. It’s easy to use snacks as a reward or a way to placate them. However, these can soon become everyday parts of their lifestyle. You should start making efforts to direct the family’s diet in a healthier direction. Employ some helpful tricks such as offering choices of healthy foods and finding vegetable alternatives to ensure they’re eating better.

Recognizing risks

Children do not have the same sense of risk or danger that adults have. In a lot of cases, they may not truly get the consequences of certain health risks until they experience them. However, while trying not to give them a fearful disposition, you should try to teach them to recognize and avoid potentially harmful things. There are plenty of good kids’ books about these.

If you can turn good health practices into learned behaviors for your kids, they’re a lot more likely to stick with them as they go through life. Keep that in mind with the tips above.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Parenting, Tips

How to Help Your Kids Achieve Strong, Healthy Teeth and Gums

01/21/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

When it comes to oral health, there’s no substitute for good habits. Kids need proper dental hygiene and regular check-ups to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy. Parents play a significant role in helping their children achieve strong and healthy teeth and gums, especially when they are young. If parents take the right steps early on, they can set their kids up for a lifetime of healthier smiles. Here’s how:

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Via Pexels

Brush and Floss:

Making brushing and flossing part of your child’s daily routine can help them establish good dental habits that will last them a lifetime. Therefore, it’s important to teach your children the importance of keeping their mouths clean every day by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.

Make sure that you buy age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes for your kids, as they are specially formulated to help protect their growing teeth. Showing them how to brush properly will also be beneficial: have them start on the outside of each tooth, then use a circular motion around the inside.

Eat Healthily:

A healthy diet is essential for strong teeth and gums. Limiting sugary snacks and drinks will help your child avoid cavities and other dental issues. Instead, please encourage them to eat more crunchy fruits and vegetables, which can act as natural toothbrushes in the mouth, scraping away plaque and bacteria. An apple, for example, can help stimulate saliva production and cleanse the mouth of harmful bacteria.

Visit the Dentist:

Routine trips to the dentist are an essential part of keeping oral health in check. While it’s normal for children to feel anxious about visiting the dentist, it’s important you take them to the dentist twice a year for regular cleanings. Regular visits will help keep their teeth and gums in top condition and also give the dentist an opportunity to spot any potential issues early on.

Use Fluoride:

Fluoride is a mineral that is essential for strong teeth and gums. Fluoride needs to be ingested daily in order to keep teeth healthy and prevent cavities. Fluoride also helps strengthen your children’s tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. You can ensure that your kids are getting enough fluoride by giving them water from the tap or using fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash when brushing their teeth.

Check for Signs of Gum Disease:

Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause pain and discomfort, as well as tooth loss. As part of your child’s regular check-ups with the dentist, you should ask them to screen for signs of gum disease. If caught early on, it can be treated effectively with antibiotics and other treatments. Symptoms include bad breath, red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, receding gums, and loose teeth.

Taking these steps will help ensure your child’s teeth and gums stay healthy from early on. As a parent, it’s essential to lead by example and develop good dental habits yourselves. By setting a good example, your children will learn the importance of looking after their teeth—setting them up for healthier smiles in the future.

Going Green, Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle, Parenting, Tips

Basic Preventive Home Care Steps for Toddlers

01/18/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Since we all know that preventive care is better than cure, it’s important to start early with our toddlers and teach some basic preventative home care steps right from the beginning. This blog post will discuss some easy-to-follow tips that can help keep your toddler healthy and safe at home. So without further ado, let’s get started!

1) Basic hygiene:

Teach your toddlers to practice basic hygiene, such as washing their hands after every diaper change, before eating and after playing outdoors. Please encourage them to use soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds and also make sure that they dry their hands with a clean towel or paper towel. Furthermore, it is also important to ensure that your toddler does not put anything in their mouth, such as toys or objects that might have been contaminated.

2) Proper nutrition:

Provide a balanced and nutritious meal for your toddlers at regular intervals. Make sure that their meals are nutrient-rich with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Also, remember to include dairy products, proteins, grains and healthy fats in their diet according to the recommended dietary guidelines for children.

3) Exercise:

Exercise is an essential part of preventive home care for toddlers. Please encourage them to be physically active by engaging in fun activities like running, jumping, and playing outdoors. Make sure that they get at least one hour of physical activity daily, such as walking, biking or swimming. Limiting children’s time on electronic devices, including television and phones, is also important.

To encourage healthy eating habits, you can involve your toddler in cooking meals and grocery shopping trips with you. Furthermore, make sure that your child gets enough sleep (11-14 hours a day, depending on age) to ensure their physical development and cognitive functioning remain intact.

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V i a Pexels

4) Vaccinations:

Vaccinations play a crucial role in preventive home care for toddlers. All recommended vaccines must be given to your child on time and according to the pediatrician’s advice, as this will help protect them from dangerous diseases. Vaccinating your toddler early can provide immunity from severe infections like measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis B, etc., and significantly reduce the risk of developing long-term health complications. Make sure that you adhere to all instructions provided by the doctor while giving these vaccinations and examine any potential side effects or reactions that may occur post-vaccination.

5) Clean surroundings:

Maintaining a clean environment at home is an essential part of primary preventive home care for toddlers. Ensure that your toddler’s living space has minimal clutter to reduce the chances of infection and allergies. Regularly vacuum, dust and mop floors, carpets, furniture and other surfaces in your home.

Additionally, bathroom areas should be kept clean with disinfectants to minimise any potential risks from bacteria and germs. Avoid leaving toys or objects lying around the house, which can cause trips or falls. Lastly, ensure that all windows are tightly closed to keep away insects and pests from entering your home.

6) Necessity of visits to the dentist:

Visiting the dentist regularly is a major part of preventive home care for toddlers. Regular checkups help detect and prevent potential issues arising from poor oral hygiene. It also helps to establish healthy dental habits and teach toddlers about proper brushing techniques, proper diet for teeth and gums, limiting sugary foods, etc.

Furthermore, visiting the dentist regularly will also ensure that your toddler does not suffer from cavities, gum diseases or any other periodontal issues due to inadequate dental care. This can help avoid costly treatments and maintain good overall health in the long run.

7) Mental health and emotional wellness:

In order to ensure optimal mental and emotional well-being, it is important to be attentive to your toddler’s needs. Show them kindness and compassion and engage in activities that make them feel loved. Spend quality time with them daily by reading stories, playing games or doing crafts together — this will help foster their creativity and boost their self-confidence.

In addition, try to create an environment of support for your toddler where they feel safe expressing their feelings without feeling judged or criticised. This will help them develop a positive outlook towards life which can go a long way in maintaining good mental health.

In conclusion, providing the proper preventive home care for toddlers is essential to ensure their physical and mental well-being. From providing a clean and safe environment to ensuring that they get enough sleep, eat healthy food, exercise regularly and receive all recommended vaccines on time, these are just some ways you can provide your toddler primary preventive home care. However, it is also important to remember that creating an atmosphere of trust and love is the most important factor in providing good preventive home care for toddlers, so make sure you nurture this bond with your child too!