During this time unique time as the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 situation, Quincy Medical Group’s Dr. Samuel Healy provides simple tips to keep kids healthy and encourages parents to keep their child’s healthcare a priority.
When you ask parents what they want for their kids, the common response is for them to be healthy and happy. Quincy Medical Group Pediatrician Dr. Samuel Healy says the first and most important step toward this is love and support.
“Every interaction with your child is important. Children are taking in cues from their parents all the time, and having love and affection will make all the difference in a child’s life,” he shared. “Spending quality time together will have a lasting impression on both you and your child.”
Dr. Healy offers the following tips for parents.
Schedule Regular Well-Child Visits
Pediatrician visits are not just for times your child is sick. During well-child visits, your pediatrician will track your child’s growth and development, provide preventive screenings, and answer questions or concerns parents may have.
“Regular well-checks are important to make sure your child is healthy and to make sure there’s nothing going on we might be missing,” explained Dr. Healy. During well-child visits, your pediatrician will track your child’s growth and development, provide preventive screenings, and answer questions or concerns parents may have.
During this time unique time as the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 situation, Dr. Healy said it is important to not delay your child’s healthcare and QMG is here to offer a safe environment for families.
“The pediatrics team is taking extra precautions to ensure your family is safe. This includes offering Telehealth visits, or virtual visits, for many issues including medication checks, hospital follow-ups, rashes, constipation, and mild illnesses. We have also implemented car waiting allowing families to check-in from their car and wait there until an exam room is ready.”
Read to Your Child
Reading to your child and limiting screen time helps children develop critical language and listening skills.
“When a child is given screen time for several hours a day, they are just listening and not talking, which could potentially lead to speech delay,” Dr. Healy shares. “Reading to kids is so important, no matter how old they are. I recommend reading every single day and making it part of your routine.”
Establish a Routine
Structure is important for children and families, especially when it comes to nighttime. Throughout the day, Dr. Healy recommends keeping your child’s naptimes at the same time each day. This routine will help when bedtime comes.
“Start with bath time or quiet time, turn down the lights a little, and read to your kids right before bed. Then put your infant or toddler to bed without being fully asleep, so they can self-soothe and fall asleep on their own,” he said.
Healthy Diet
Kids should get five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Dr. Healy explains it can take 10 to 15 times of a child having and looking at something before they’ll actually try it and like it.
“Offer your child fruits and vegetables at every meal. Even if they don’t want to eat them, it’s important that you continually offer them,” he said. “It takes persistence, and you have to do it over and over again to develop the taste.”
Monitor Screen Time
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for kids under 18 months. Those recommendations change as children grow, but Dr. Healy says being active and limiting technology is beneficial for all ages.
“Playing with your child helps develop their physical capabilities, including their fine and gross motor skills. Simple activities such as playing games or going outside will help enhance those skills and provide some quality time for you and your child.”
For more information on our pediatrics team and services, call 217-222-6550, ext. 3333 or visit quincymedgroup.com.