WHEN it comes to raising a healthy and happy child, most parents go out of their way to ensure their little one receives adequate nutrition and care every day. Apart from a healthy diet, other things such as moderate exercise and disease risk management are also important for the overall growth and development of a child.
While the nutritional needs of little boys and girls are the same, the dietary requirements of girls change when they start hitting puberty. Having a balanced diet becomes more crucial during these years to prevent nutrient deficiencies, stress and anxiety. What is more, timely medical advice and treatment may also be required in some cases to ensure the good health of your child.
A health insurance plan ensures financial protection against various healthcare expenses and saves policyholders from paying exorbitant bills. If you have a critical illness insurance cover, you can add your child to that as well, especially if there is a family history of critical illnesses.Here are some tips to take care of your girl child through her growing years for good health and overall wellbeing.
The important first yearsAccording to the World Health Organisation and Unicef, a child should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their life. Ideally, breastfeeding should initiate within 1 hour of birth.
This is important to protect the new-born from infections and other conditions. Timely breastfeeding after birth also reduces the likelihood of new-born mortality.
Six months old childOnce the child is 6 months old, parents can gradually introduce safe and nutritious solid foods. However, breastfeeding should continue up to two years of age or beyond.Breast milk provides energy and important nutrients to a child in their initial years. It also contributes to the overall development of a child for a happier and healthier life.
VaccinationTimely vaccination or immunisation is also important during the first years of your child. Talk to the doctor about your child’s vaccine schedule and make sure the little one receives them on time.Toddlerhood to childhood
This is the time when you should take good care of your child’s nutrition needs. You can include fresh and home-cooked foods in your child’s diet but without any salt or sugar. Here are some things to keep in mind:
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- Since a toddler can eat solid foods, you can give them infant single-grain cereal mixed with formula.
- Toddlers can also be fed steamed, mashed and pureed foods, starting with fruits and then moving to boiled lentils.
- Boiled and mashed rice and ragi are also nutritious options for little ones.
- You can give unflavoured and unsweetened whole cow’s milk to your child once they are 1 year old.
- When your child is a little older, say 2 to 3 years old, you can also include cheese and yoghurt in their diet. These foods will provide additional protein to the toddler and support muscle growth, tissue repair and immune function.
- Fresh fruits, like bananas, apples and oranges are some safe and nutritious options for kids. You can also feed them certain boiled and steamed vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini and sweet potatoes.
- Since a toddler may crave unhealthy packed foods and fizzy drinks at times, look for ways to replace these with healthier alternatives.
Toddlers going to play school are often prone to common cold, cough, infections and other conditions.This happens due to the new environment and increased contact with other children.
Hence, make sure you talk to the paediatrician about important vaccines that your child may require at this age. Also, take a health insurance plan for your child or cover her under your family health insurance. Health insurance comes in quite handy during medical emergencies. You can also opt for cashless treatment at network hospitals and save yourself from the hassles of filing a reimbursement claim.
Teenage to young adulthoodThe nutrition needs of a girl child chances once she starts nearing her teenage years. This is the time she hits puberty and you may notice a significant change in her routine and lifestyle.
Your girl child may either become livelier or prefer a less active lifestyle. Hence, it is important to be more understanding towards your child during this phase to make the transition into adulthood easier.
- According to experts, a teenage girl requires an average of 2 200 calories every day. Hence, make sure you add plenty of fresh fruits and green vegetables to your child’s diet along with suitable amounts of protein, fats and carbohydrates for boosting energy levels. Some healthy options are eggs, chickpeas, tofu, paneer, beans, lentils, cheese, fresh and dry fruits, whole-grain baked snacks and yoghurt.
- A girl child starts menstruating during her early teenage years. Hence, she needs to consume a balanced diet and increase the intake of iron-rich foods. Green leafy vegetables, beans, iron-fortified cereals and red lean meat are good sources of iron. These small dietary changes will help prevent nutrient deficiencies in her body and keep away associated health issues, such as anaemia, mood swings, stress and anxiety.
