Everyone wonders if their child is normal. We all hope that our children grow up to become unique, interesting individuals. It’s easy to feel concerned that they’re not meeting the milestones normal for their age.
We’re fortunate today that there is so much parenting information available to ensure that our children grow up healthy and strong. Every child is different, but there are milestones such as smiling or taking a first step that every parent looks forward to. Some kids get there sooner, and some get there later.
In that same way, you can look at the typical signs of healthy growth in your children and watch out for any areas of concern. This can give you a sense of control and predictability. Being attentive can give you forewarning if something seems off, and you can enjoy the pride of watching your happy, healthy child making progress.
There are a lot of ways you can help this along, whether it’s reading to your child or giving them a toddler multivitamin. Let’s take a look at 10 signs of healthy growth in children.
1. Growth
By this, we mean physical growth, such as height and weight. It will be different depending on how old they are, but your child’s weight should be within the normal range for their height. Being underweight could be a sign of a lack of nutrients. A toddler multivitamin can be a way to supplement this. If they’re significantly over or underweight, it may be time for a visit to your pediatrician.
2. Active And Alert
Playful activity for at least 15 minutes several times per day is a good indication that they’re getting enough nutrients and rest. Make sure older children drink enough water to stay hydrated for all that activity.
3. Quick Learner
While “quick” may be subjective, the main idea is that they’re curious about the world around them. Giving your child the support to be a secure learner can make them feel empowered to explore.
4. Appetite
Most children will eat from a variety of food groups, though they will often express preferences for one kind over another. Allow that it’s normal for your toddler to be a picky eater and try a variety of foods. They may also not be consistent with how much they eat at first.
5. Healthy Teeth
Teeth can reveal a surprising amount about your child’s health. Baby teeth don’t normally start falling out until around age six; missing teeth at a younger age can affect your child’s ability to produce some sounds and pronounce words correctly. It may also impact their ability to chew certain foods and obtain the necessary nutrients from them. A toddler multivitamin may be able to help with this.
6. Posture
Poor posture can be a sign of insufficient diet. Their growing body needs enough nutrition to ensure strong bones and muscles; if in doubt, try a toddler multivitamin. Proper posture can also be indicative of healthy self-esteem. Good posture habits can help prevent health problems later and reduce headaches and neck pain.
7. Adequate Sleep
We all love a restful night’s sleep, but it’s even more important for a growing child. Lack of sleep can result in decreased brain development, crankiness, and difficulty learning. Longer-term problems include weight management issues, impacted growth, and more frequent illness.
8. Bowel Movements
One bowel movement per day is about average for most kids, but the frequency is only a small part of what bowel movements can reveal. Different colors such as white, red, or black can be associated with medical conditions. There’s usually no reason to panic, but if it keeps happening or there are other problems, it’s probably time for a doctor’s visit. If you’re concerned about enough nutrition, consider a toddler multivitamin.
9. Eyes
Most of us take our eyes for granted every day, but it’s astonishing how much we rely on them from even the earliest age. If left uncorrected, vision problems can impair learning, impact development, and lead to worse vision problems later. Academic performance is frequently dependent on good vision. Noticeable problems like one of the eyes turning in or out should be looked into right away.
10. Skin
Your child’s skin should be free of injuries, rashes, or dry patches. Bumps, scrapes, and cuts are going to be a fact of life for an active, growing child, but keep an eye on them and note any abnormality. Watch out for sunburns or insect bites during warmer weather; take preventive measures if concerned, otherwise, most over-the-counter treatments will be enough to keep your child’s skin in good shape.
Happy And Healthy
Raising a happy and healthy child may not be the world’s easiest job, but it may be the most rewarding. Just follow our 10 tips and you’ll go a long way to making a hard job that much easier.
