Nutrition plays a key role in building a solid foundation of health in our children. Our pediatricians are not just here to help in case of accidents or to treat diseases, but rather to create the perfect circumstances to protect your kids before something can hurt them in any way. Pediatrics in Lamesa, Texas, focuses on giving you the proper guidance needed to help your children grow strong and healthy. Today we want to break down how our specialists can assist you when assessing your child’s diet.
Pediatrics in Lamesa, Texas: Why Proper Nutrition Matters
We need to understand one thing: Children’s nutritional needs are different from those of an adult. As an adult, you are already a balanced being. However, your child’s body is constantly evolving, developing the brain, immune function, and growth, among other things.
It may seem to some parents that diet is not as relevant as other health issues, but in fact, this is the root of the primary defenses of your child and the one responsible for healthy growth, academic performance, and even social interactions.
Age-Specific Nutritional Guidelines for Your Children
Tracking your children’s growth is essential for fostering a healthy lifestyle; every stage requires a unique approach, tailored to the specific needs of each stage.
Infants (0-12 Months)
When treating infants, our primary priority is to ensure optimal nutrition. Both breastfeeding and formula feeding are equally valid choices. If you opt for the formula route, we recommend consulting with your pediatrician to select the appropriate formulas for your infant.
Toddlers (1- 3 Years)
After 12 months of care, your baby starts a new phase, one that comes with the consumption of solid food. We recommend setting the basis for a healthy diet from the get-go, avoiding excessive sugar consumption, and focusing on ensuring adequate calcium for bone development, as well as iron.
School-Age Children (4-12 Years)
Things start to ease up a little, but don’t get too comfy. In this phase, we recommend establishing healthy eating patterns that can significantly support your child’s school performance and physical activity.
Adolescents (13-18 Years)
The teenage years present unique challenges; work in this phase is a lot about managing expectations, reviewing caloric needs, and providing practical guidance for making nutritious choices.
How Pediatrics Addresses Common Nutritional Challenges
Parents and healthcare providers must work together to develop a successful nutritional plan for the children. Nonetheless, sometimes you can find obstacles at the moment of feeding your child, such as the following:
Picky Eating Behaviors
Children can be challenging to treat at times, we know it from firsthand experience. Taking the time to find, plan, and prepare a nutritious meal is already a job. But if your child is a picky eater, it can make all the work you do ten times more. We will always give the same advice: don’t force it, be patient, and try to make mealtimes positive experiences for your child.
Balancing Convenience with Nutrition
The main issue with meal preparation is the amount of time it requires. We make an effort to help you with the creation of meal planning strategies and quick nutrient-dense recipes that can work for you and your toddler.
Managing Sugar Intake
We always have an eye on childhood obesity, a problem that a diet of sweet treats and sugary beverages can greatly influence. Responsible parents should limit added sugars to support their children’s healthy weight management.
Pediatrics in Lamesa, Texas with South Plains Rural Health Services
Your priority is your child’s health; we recommend that you regularly check with their pediatrician at South Plains Rural Health Services (SPRHS)
You don’t need to wait for them to feel sick, as you can get preventive or routine check-ups for your child with a variety of options for treatment near your home. Schedule a visit via the online booking system or call us today.
South Plains Rural Health: Caring for your family, growing with your community.