Doctor: These are three health tips every parent must follow for their children in 2023

A GP and a mom have revealed the three health tips every parent needs to be aware of for 2023.

Melbourne doctor Preeya Alexander said all parents should think about their children’s sun safety from birth. You need to make sure you have administered allergens to your children and you may consider additional vaccinations on top of those required.

“These are my three gold nuggets of child health advice for the New Year,” posted Dr. Preeya – who goes by the nickname “The Wholesome Doctor” – on Instagram.

A GP and a mother have unveiled the three health tips every parent needs to be aware of for 2023 (Dr Preeya Alexander pictured)

1. Sun protection begins at birth

dr Preeya’s first – and perhaps most important – piece of advice is that parents should remember that sun protection in Australia starts at birth.

“Remember that sunburn in children can increase the risk of melanoma later in life,” she wrote.

“For children under six months, ideally avoid sun exposure by covering skin and seeking shade.

“For children over six months old, you can use sunscreen (either physical or chemical is fine) but don’t forget to test the sunscreen on an area like the forearm (about 20 cent piece size) and monitor for a reaction over 24 hours.” ‘ before using it all over your body.’

If you use mosquito repellent and sunscreen, according to Dr. Preeya wait until your child is older than three years and then apply it to the sunscreen.

“The Royal Children’s Hospital has excellent information on this subject,” she added.

dr Preeya (pictured) advises all parents to remember that sunscreen starts at birth and you need to introduce allergens early

2. Introduce allergens early

The second piece of health advice every parent needs to remember, said Dr. Preeya, is that allergens should be introduced early – ideally before your child is a year old.

“If you’re introducing solids, try to eat those allergy foods before the age of one, and if you manage to start them with no reaction, don’t forget to continue to include them in your diet consistently,” she said.

“They do all this to reduce the risk of food allergies.”

The most common allergy-causing foods, added Dr. Added to Preeya are eggs, cow’s milk, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, soy, fish and shellfish.

“Often patients tell me they’ve successfully introduced foods like egg or peanut protein, but then they stop,” added Dr. Added Preeya.

“You want to keep offering the foods to reduce the risk of food allergies, try giving them twice a week if you can.”

Remember, you don’t have to introduce all the allergens at once and it’s best done slowly so that if you have an allergy, you can identify the trigger.

Finally said Dr. Preeya (pictured) that while you may think your baby or child has all the recommended vaccinations, you can consider additional ones that aren’t on the schedule

3. Consider additional vaccinations

Finally said Dr. Preeya, while you may think your baby or child has all of the recommended vaccinations, you may consider additional ones that are not on the schedule.

“People like your GP, your pediatric nurse and your pediatrician can advise you here, but there are additional vaccinations you can consider for your child over the schedule,” she said.

For example, meningococcal B immunization is scheduled in some states but not in Victoria, while meningococcal ACWY immunization may also be considered from six weeks.

“Children receive a dose of this at 12 months of the schedule, but earlier protection can be considered,” said Dr. preeya

“Many of my patients address this when we do the six-week check-ups.”

She added, “There are ways to further reduce the risk, so check with your doctor.”