Kids and Preventive Health Care -: 10 Tips to Save Doctor Trips

You know what happens when you neglect preventive maintenance for your car, so don't forget your kids! Busy families are tight on time these days, but preventative health care for kids not only avoids trips to the doctor, it will have long-lasting benefits for your children as they get older. These tips for preventative health care will help you stay on track and keeping your kids healthy.

1. Even with your busy schedule, visit your doctor when recommended for regular checkups. That way, your doctor can make sure your child is immunized properly, and track his or her growth and development.

2. Make sure your kid gets to play, socialize, and have quality family time. This helps development, mental health, and confidence.

3. Keep aware of your child's abilities, and note anything that she or he seems to be struggling with, such as vision or hearing. Kids adapt and problems may be subtle, so your day-to-day observations may be the key to getting help with any problems that the doctor didn't notice.

4. See to it that your kid is a smart athlete or outdoors person, taking care of feet, joints, skin, and eating right and hydrating well. Especially make sure that they drink enough water, even moderate dehydration can have alarming symptoms.

5. Make sure your child not only is educated properly about sexuality and relationships, but has access to information if something happens that needs treatment - and be there to support him or her if needed.

6. Keep an eye on your child's nutrition, feeding good meals and encouraging healthy snacking, and watching out for unhealthy eating patterns or attitudes towards food, consulting your doctor if necessary.

7. Teach your child proper hand washing, bathroom use, covering the mouth to cough, food sanitation and other healthy habits.

8. Learn your child's medication and food allergies, any variations from normal vital signs, anything an emergency room doctor would need to know quickly. Keep these somewhere handy and make sure older children and group leaders have access to the information if needed, especially on trips or other times away from the family.

9. Make sure your child gets enough rest, even if other activities are pressing. Growing kids need their rest, and usually a lot longer than adults!

10. Gradually teach your children basic first aid skills, so they will always be resourceful in looking after their own health when necessary. They will also be aware that good health requires knowledge and care.

Follow these preventative health care tips for children of all ages, adding more responsibility and information for your kids as they get older. Remember, the habits they're learning now will serve them throughout their lives.