While many childhood illnesses cannot be avoided, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of certain conditions affecting your child.
All babies receive some immunity from their mother’s placenta, but these antibodies decrease within a few weeks of birth. Childhood immunizations start at birth in the UAE and offer childhood protection against a number of illnesses. Talk to your pediatrician to make sure your child’s vaccines are up to date. More information on childhood vaccines can be found here.
Your pediatrician will advise routine screenings throughout early childhood to observe how your child is growing and developing. Also called developmental monitoring, your pediatrician will check things such as speech, eyesight and hearing as well as milestones like learning, behavior and movement. Learn more about childhood screenings here.
Encourage the whole family to practice good basic hygiene and your children will follow. As most childhood illnesses are caused by contagious bacteria and viruses, good hygiene habits can help reduce the risk of illness. Encourage them to wash their hands properly and teach them how to cover their mouth whencoughing and using a tissue when sneezing. Keeping kids away from nursery and school when they are sick is also very important.
A mother’s milk contains lots of natural antibodies which will help your baby to fight common infections. This will reduce the risk of things like diarrhea, ear infections and tummy bugs. If possible, aim to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months.
Practice healthy habits at home. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet and try and exercise every day. A healthy lifestyle has been proven to reduce the risk of many illnesses and will set your child up for a healthy future.
Sleep is so important for children’s development and overall health. Get in the habit of putting them to bed and waking them at the same time every day, to ensure a healthy routine. When children sleep, their cells have time to repair and grow, helping them to fight infections and stay well.
Newborns are highly susceptible to infections as their immune systems have not yet fully developed. Never be afraid to say no to seeing people who you know are sick.
Protecting your child against childhood illnesses is very important. To discuss immunization, screening or any other health concern, talk to our pediatricians in Dubai today. Provide a safe and healthy physical and mental state for kids at home
