How to prevent growth defects in children

Seeing their child grow every day is every mom's joy. Parents see to it that their children are happy, secure, and well-fed so that they can grow up healthy.

However, as a concerned parent, moms occasionally cannot help but compare their child's development against their peers. Moms often worry if their child is growing in the right pace or if they are falling behind. But once children are forced to stay at home due to the current pandemic, parents have no point of comparison and they might not notice the slow growth of their children.

Knowing how to measure children's growth can help prevent them from falling behind. Parents, together with their family physician, can address growth problems before it is too late if they know how to be observant about growth indicators in their children.

Watch the weight

One of the indicators of a healthy growing child is their weight. Knowing whether the child is underweight, healthy, overweight, or even obese will let parents know how to adjust their meals according to their needs.

Healthy authorities suggest that parents need to provide children with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain in their daily meals. Avoid giving them sweets and snacks that contain processed sugar and salt as they will get used to the taste and choose these snacks over whole food.

Also, encourage the entire family to drink lots of water and limit sugary drinks. The child needs to see adults in the home making healthy choices in order for them to do the same. Live by example and see the entire family's health and wellness change.

Measure the height

Knowing a child's height will help determine if their weight is beyond healthy levels. It can also help alert parents to signs of growth delay.

Early intervention may help any child reach normal or near-normal height.

Measuring the height can even be a fun activity. Place a height chart on a wall and regularly record their height to create a memorable experience while also keeping track of these growth indicators for the next doctor's visit.

Encourage movement

According to health authorities regular physical activity in children can help improve their cardiorespiratory fitness. It can also help them develop strong bones and muscles, control their weight, and reduce the risk of developing several illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Boost their vitamins

It is important to give children the essential vitamins and minerals paired with proper nutrition, to help aid their growth. These essential vitamins help support height, immunity, strong bones, and growth for development. Along with three balanced meals a day, lots of water, and exercise, moms can add vitamins and minerals to help make sure their child is well nourished.

PediaSure Plus encourages parents to watch the growth of their children and to monitor if they are on track with the right development through the Growth Watch program. Children 3 years of age and above can take PediaSure Plus with three balanced meals or in between their meals. It contains a triple protein complex that helps boost growth, a unique synbiotic blend (a combination of prebiotics and probiotics) for immunity, natural Vitamin K2 and Arginine for strong bones and increased growth.

PediaSure Plus has a total of 37 essential growth nutrients that help promote 1.5 times growth (versus no supplementation) in children with nutritional risks. Within four weeks, a child may possibly regain their appetite, increase weight in eight weeks, improve height within 12 weeks, and boost the immune system with 16 weeks of consistent feeding along with three balanced meals a day.

By closely monitoring the child's growth and development, early detection and intervention for growth and developmental problems may be addressed so they can continue enjoying their childhood and later life in good health.

Want to know if your child's growth is on track? Try the PediaSurePlus Height and Growth Tracker. To know more about PediaSure Plus, visit its website or Facebook page.