Download Health & Your Child

Health & Your Young Child
WELCOME
• Who we are
• Why we are here
• What to expect:
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Starting questions
Short presentation
Q&A
Closing questions
• Questions?
Getting Started: True or False?
1) On average, babies are walking by 10
months.
True or False
2) The measles vaccine has been proven to
cause autism.
True or False
3) Dairy is an excellent source of calcium –
especially for growing children. True or False
Healthy Pregnancy
• Regular visits with a doctor
1 – 27 weeks: once visit/month
28 – 35 weeks: every 2 weeks
36 weeks – Delivery: every week
 Care providers during pregnancy:
 Family doctor
 Midwife
 Obstetrician/gynecologist
1st Prenatal Visit
• Important as doctor can identify high-risk
pregnancies
• Discuss birth plan with doctor
• Lab tests – blood test, STD testing, PAP smear
Healthy Pregnancy
• Healthy eating
– Balanced meals
– Standard “prenatal” vitamin
– Cut down on coffee/caffeine
– Less junk food
 Exercise is good during pregnancy
 walking, swimming, flexibility programs.
 Ask your doctor about what you can do!
Avoid during Pregnancy
• Smoking
– Complications during pregnancy
– Affects baby’s development
– Second-hand smoke a risk for children
• Alcohol
– Affects baby’s development
– FASD
• Other substances - drugs
At Home with Baby
• “safe sleeping” area clear of hazards
• Place baby on back when sleeping
• Crying is normal!
– Check diaper, feed, walk with baby
• Smoke free environment
• Ask friends or doctor about “baby” groups
Breastfeeding
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Breastfeed for 6 months
Can “pump” into bottle
Young babies want to feed often
Ask nurse/doctor for more information on
breastfeeding
• Vitamin D supplements
**Some women don’t feel comfortable with
breastfeeding – that is okay! There are other
options.
Check-ups
• Schedule check-ups after birth with doctor
• Keep a list of questions to bring to ask doctor
during the visit
• Dentist – @ age 1
• Optometrist - @ age 3 (can be earlier)
Vaccinations
• Vaccinations = immunizations
• Vaccines prep your body to
deal with the disease if
infected later
• Prevents child from serious
harm or death
Developmental Milestones
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6 months: roll over & sit unsupported
8 months: crawls
9 months: “mama” & “dada”
10 – 11 months: stands up
11 – 15 months: walks
2 years: 2 word phrases
3 years: simple sentences
Questions?
Healthy Children
• Development through:
– Playing: acting out scenes with dolls, playing
house, interacting with other children
– Sports: learning coordination and team
participation
• Learning to ride bike
• Soccer, baseball, hockey etc.
Nutrition
• Proper nutrition is essential
during development.
• What is “proper nutrition”?
• How do I incorporate that
into my child’s diet?
Fruits and Vegetables
• Eat a variety of food, half of
the meal should be fruits and
vegetables.
• Try a variety of fruits and vegetables to
find their favorite.
• Make smoothies with fresh fruit.
• Provide tasty dip with celery sticks.
Portion Control
• Make sure your child’s meals
are the appropriate portion.
Excess amount of any food
can lead to childhood obesity.
• Know your child’s average meal size.
• Adjust meal size throughout the day.
• Avoid letting your child eat straight out
of the snack bag.
Calcium
• Calcium is crucial to bone
growth during childhood, and
dairy is an excellent source.
• Provide milk and yogurt with their
breakfast.
• Buy fortified foods if necessary.
• Add cheese to their snacks.
Fibre
• Fibre is just as important in
children as it is in adults.
Make sure your child gets
enough.
• Serve apple and leave the skin on.
• Add raisins to morning oatmeal.
• Try to serve a good portion of fruits and
vegetables daily.
Breakfast
• Breakfast is an important
meal during the day, and a
great time for your child to
get various nutrients.
• Milk and oatmeal can provide calcium and
fibre.
• Breakfast is also a great time for fruits.
• Try to avoid egg and bacon everyday.
Salt
• High salt diet increases risk of
dehydration and high blood
pressure in children.
• Avoid the salt shaker at the dinner table.
• Look for food and snacks low in sodium.
• Bread is a common source of salt. Try
whole wheat breads, which is also great
for fibre.
Pop and other drinks
• Sugary drinks are of little
nutritional value, and often
contain additives bad for
children.
• Limit the amount of sweet drinks you
buy from the grocery store.
• Try to replace fruit juice with fresh fruit.
• Decrease their intake slowly, or
gradually water down the drinks.
Vitamins
• Vitamins are important
during development, they
contribute to bone growth,
immune system and etc.
• Look for food fortified with vitamins.
• Vitamin D supplement can be appropriate
for areas without much sunshine.
• Fruits, dairy and leafy green vegetable
can provide a variety of vitamins.
True or False?
Answers:
1) On average, babies are walking by 10
months. True or False
2) The measles vaccine has been proven to
cause autism. True or False
3) Dairy is an excellent source of calcium –
especially for growing children. True or False
Resources
• BC Ministry of Health websites – guidelines.
• http://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca
• http://www.bestchance.gov.bc.ca
• http://immunizebc.ca/facts-onimmunity/how-vaccines-work