Dr. Sachinder Jain Nawal

You’re so happy your little boy or girl is growing up, becoming more sensitive and mature and suddenly showing a lot of responsibility. There are simultaneously a lot of bodily changes your kid is grappling with. You want to be there for your child and lend a helping hand with the physical upheaval and emotional overhaul that your young one’s system needs.

One of the most common concerns with growing kids is the issue of gaining a good height. Since this is a detrimental age for physical growth, it is justified for you to be concerned.

Height is mainly governed by genetics of the family. Your height and your spouse’s height will be a major factor determining the upward distance your child’s body is set to traverse. Both you and your spouse being short does not imply that your child is ordained to that height. At the same time, both the parents being tall doesn’t necessarily mean that your little one will stretch and grow 6 feet tall in no time! Medical science claims that physical growth does not stop till mid-twenties.

Your child’s (3-12 months) average body temperature is about 37°C. If your child’s temperature is higher than 38°C for 24 hours or more, she/he probably has a fever. A fever is a sign of illness.

Babies under three months of age who develop a fever must be seen by a doctor immediately, because it’s harder to tell if they have a serious underlying illness.

In children under 12 months, fever might be a sign of a more significant illness, and you do need to seek medical advice.

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In general, there is a higher risk for most vaccine-preventable diseases when travelling abroad and these diseases tend to be more severe in children than in adults. If you are planning to travel, discuss with your health care provider.

You want to be the kind of parent who takes the time to instill in your child good manners, habits, and behavior....
"Listen to him at play when he's alone. He may babble happily then."

You can help your child develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. As a parent, you can encourage your kids to evaluate their food choice and physical activity habits. Here are some tips and guidelines to get you started.

Be a good role model
Keep things positive
Get the whole family moving
Be realistic
Limit TV, video game and computer time
Encourage physical activities that they’ll really enjoy
Make dinner time a family time
Make a game of reading food labels

Dr. Nawal

Breastfeeding can improve IQ, educational attainment, and monthly income among adults nearly 30 years later, says a new study