With the start of the new school year, parents can help their children adjust to their new lifestyle by emphasizing a healthy sleep schedule, making sure they are vaccinated, and keeping an eye out for mood swings.
Dr. Anthony Hudson, chief of pediatrics at East Jefferson General Hospital, said one of the biggest changes this year is that schools in Louisiana will require students to get the hepatitis A vaccine. A two-dose series is usually given to young children, but because requirements have changed, most teens today probably aren’t getting the vaccine, Dr. Hudson said.
“Most high school students are likely to need the hepatitis A vaccine, but they can get infected quickly,” Dr. Hudson said, adding that vaccinations should be spaced about four weeks apart. pointed out that there is “Parents can notify the pediatrician and have an appointment made.”
The start of the school year is also a good time to ensure that your children receive other necessary immunizations such as measles, mumps, rubella and polio. COVID-19 vaccine is not currently required in public schools in Louisiana, but if parents choose to be vaccinated, they can talk to their child’s pediatrician about a COVID-19 booster. said Dr Hudson.
Aside from vaccinations, Dr. Hudson said getting enough sleep is one of the best ways for children to stay healthy and look their best.
“Most school-age children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. ,” said Dr. Hudson. “If you’ve been going to bed late during the summer, it can be difficult to drastically change your sleep pattern. So, in order to get closer to your ideal bedtime, he’ll go to bed half an hour earlier at a time, or in small increments.” We recommend that you change it.”
Dr. Hudson says exposure to artificial light at night can be difficult for children and teens, so parents should be determined to turn off phones and other devices before bed, ideally during the day. She adds that cutting at the end of the day can help children prepare for sleep. fall asleep.
“I think it is important to allow children to use mobile phones because they can be positive from a social point of view, but there are limits to that,” he said. Told. “Children need time to use their phones to communicate, but they also need a routine to turn off their phones in the evening and prepare for rest by immersing themselves in dinner, bathing and reading. “
Dr. Hudson also gave parents the following suggestions to help keep their children healthy during the school year:
Try to eat a healthy breakfast every day.
Plan your breakfast in advance as mornings are often busy. Avoid breakfasts that are high in carbohydrates and sugars, and instead choose foods that are high in macronutrients, protein, and healthy fats.
Make time for one-on-one discussions.
Some children may feel anxious about returning to school for a variety of reasons. Set aside time during the week to talk about your child’s concerns and what’s going on in their school day. These conversations can be done during activities such as walking outdoors or watching movies to reduce pressure.
Emphasize the importance of hand washing.
Washing your hands regularly is one of the easiest ways to prevent illness. Start teaching your children from an early age. Proper hand washing takes about 30 seconds. Encourage children to sing “Happy Birthday” while washing their hands. After the song ended, they took plenty of time to wash their hands.
Talk to your pediatrician about screenings and physical exams.
Most pediatricians perform vision and hearing tests on children ages 3 to 8, but if you notice that your child has vision or hearing problems, or your teacher , the parent should request testing. Also, if your child plans to play sports in the fall, be sure to schedule an up-to-date checkup.
If you need medication, please discuss it with the school nurse or staff.
Some children may need to take prescription medications during the day or as needed due to conditions such as ADHD, asthma, and allergies. Make sure staff at your child’s school are aware of these things, have prescriptions on hand, and have a schedule for administering prescriptions at school. Consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
LCMC Health offers a wide range of pediatric services at multiple locations in the New Orleans area. These professionals are trained in everyday health, chronic illness, mental health, and more. Virtual visits are also possible in some locations.visit www.lcmchealth.org/our-services/pediatrics/ Learn more or find a provider near you.
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