Healthy Habits for a Happy Family

(ARA) - If you're the parent of a toddler, whether he is in preschool, daycare, or at home, it is important to incorporate healthy habits at an early age. Between hectic work schedules, school, play dates and activities, health and nutrition can sometimes take a backseat to convenience for busy parents.

MommyDocs.com, a new resource for parents, offers practical medical advice about children's health issues. Cofounder Jamie Freishtat is a board certified pediatrician, and cofounder Rachel Schreiber is board certified in both allergy/immunology and internal medicine. Their advice comes from the understanding of being doctors, as well as parents themselves.

While many parents recognize the importance of health and nutrition for their children, it is easy for any mom or dad to get caught up in the stress of tight schedules. However, it's necessary to find some time to focus on healthy habits and nutrition so our kids can learn the best ways to take care of themselves starting at a young age. "Good habits can last a lifetime." says Dr. Freishtat.

Integrating healthy habits into families' lifestyles can be beneficial for everyone. After all, it's not only important to keep your own child healthy, but to also prevent the spread of illness to others. "You want your toddler to share -- but not when it comes to germs. The best and easiest way to stop the spread of infection is by washing hands, multiple times throughout the day," adds Dr. Schreiber. "Another great tip I teach my children to keep unwanted germs from spreading throughout the classroom and our home is to sneeze into their elbows -- not their hands."

The MommyDocs are arming parents with ways to incorporate a healthier lifestyle into their children's routines, whether in the classroom, daycare center or at home. Here are some practical tips you can start using today:

Keeping Germs at Bay
Teaching your child about good hygiene will not only help him stay as germ-free as possible, but may just keep him from catching that next cold or illness.
* Make a habit of having your child wash his hands after going to the bathroom, playing outside, coming home from school or daycare, sneezing, and coughing.
* Schedule an appointment to receive the influenza (flu) vaccine because flu season is right around the corner. The new recommendation is for all children between 6 months of age up to 19 years old to get the vaccine (there are a few exceptions, so talk to the doctor).

Healthy Eating For the Whole Family
Instill healthy attitudes about food, talk to children about meal planning and come up with foods everyone can agree upon.
* Make a habit of eating three meals a day; this includes never skipping breakfast and eating nutritious foods. Parents need to set an example for their children and follow this recommendation as well.
* Avoid consuming empty calories while on the go, by providing healthy snacks, such as fruit and vegetables that are high in important nutrients. Another good choice is Yoplait Kids yogurt, which contains the Omega-3 essential fatty acid, DHA, which helps support healthy brain development in children (and to keep your budget healthy too, Yoplait Kids is now offering a $1.50 off coupon available at www.yoplaitkids.com).

Routines and Sleep Schedules
Sticking to a schedule helps children remain calmer, happier and healthier.
* Maintain a consistent morning plan, dinner time and bed time. Kids do best when they know what to expect, and the entire family will find it easier to navigate through the day.
* Keep in mind that all schedules need to account for some flexibility. If plans need to be changed, try to let the children know as soon as possible to give them time to prepare and adjust.

Following these tips will help families lead a healthier lifestyle and prepare children to make healthy choices for themselves in the future. For more information please visit www.MommyDocs.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent