Toddlers are a handful, and this extends to keeping them healthy. Health is especially important for toddlers since they are growing and developing at such a rapid rate. Many toddlers also can go through a period of picky eating, which can worry parents. There is no need to worry, though; there are plenty of steps you can take to help your toddler grow, develop, and stay healthy.
Mealtimes
Mealtimes should be a happy time and not a power struggle. Eat together as a family as much as possible. When you allow your toddler to eat many of the same foods as the rest of the family, they are much more likely to try new things as they see siblings and parents eating.
You should also choose foods that will be easy to eat for your toddler. Finger foods will allow them to feed themselves, which will help foster their need for independence. It may take several introductions of a certain food before they try new food, so don’t give up and keep trying!
Well-Rounded Diet
You should include foods from all the four main food groups to your toddler each day. Fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, dairy products, and protein all contain necessary ingredients for your growing toddler. Incorporating all the food groups every day will also help your toddler not fixate on one group and ignore the others.
Doctor Visits
It is also important for your toddler to have regular check-ups with their pediatrician. If you need to find a new pediatrician, you can look online at https://southwestcare.org/services/pediatrics/ or other websites to narrow down your search.
Regular appointments will allow you to stay on top of your toddler’s health, ask questions about ways to encourage a healthy lifestyle and catch possible developmental issues before they become a big problem.
Aside from finding a reliable pediatrician, a visit to a dentist also plays a part in your child’s holistic health. That’s why it’s important to find an expert like this cosmetic dentist in denison who also provides services such as tooth extraction and full mouth reconstruction.
Hydration
Along with eating healthy, it is important to make sure that your toddler is sufficiently hydrated during the day. Your toddler still needs plenty of milk. If you can, breastfeeding until your child is two is preferred, but if not, cow’s milk is fine. If you have switched to regular milk, but make sure it is full-fat to ensure they are getting the nutrients they need.
You should also get your toddler accustomed to drinking water. This should be given in a free-flow beaker or cup, not in a bottle, to encourage good drinking habits. Juice should only be offered sparingly at mealtimes, and if you do offer juice, water it down (10 parts water and 1 part juice) to make sure it is not bad for their teeth.
Vitamins
It is recommended that all children take a vitamin supplement. This doesn’t have to be a complete multivitamin when they are still toddlers, but it should still offer vitamins A, C, and D, which are especially important for their growing bodies. The supplement should be designed for children and should not pose a choking hazard. Gummy vitamins or liquid vitamins that can be mixed in with milk or water are ideal.
Leave a Reply