Children, unlike adults, should not be treated by a general physician or a family practitioner. They should be treated by a doctor who is specially trained to manage behavioral, physical, and mental care for children below 18 years. Your child needs someone who is trained and experienced in treating childhood illnesses. This doctor is known as a pediatrician.

Here are four reasons why you should always have a family pediatrician:

1. Teach You About Healthy Lifestyles for Your Child

Currently, obesity affects about 14.4 million children in the United States. Although this condition is attributed to genetics, lifestyle plays a vital role, mainly unhealthy eating patterns and lack of physical activity. A pediatrician can be a reliable source of information about how you can promote a healthy lifestyle for your children. They can give you nutritional and exercise advice that can help prevent obesity and its related diseases.

2. Treat Common Childhood Conditions

Every year, about 12 million children die globally due to childhood illnesses. The common killer diseases are diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia. Young children are also highly susceptible to cough, fever, bronchitis, and skin infections. Having a standby pediatrician ensures prompt treatment when your child displays symptoms of any of the above diseases, which may make a difference between life and death.

3. Prevent Injuries and Illnesses

Injuries are common in children, especially when they are between 6 and 9 years. Childhood injuries mainly emanate from falls and cuts. The most frequently injured body parts are the legs, hands, and head. Most injuries and childhood illnesses are preventable. However, you need pediatrician advice on best prevention practices.  Regarding diseases, a pediatrician can give you essential insights on the diet that boosts immunity in children as well as proper dressing code during warm and cold seasons to prevent weather-related diseases.

4. Learn How to Anticipate Your Children's Needs

As a parent, you may not understand your child's needs. To most people, children only have basic needs, mainly food, shelter, education, clothing, and medical care. However, young ones also have emotional needs, such as attention, love, affection, and freedom of expression. Sometimes, children get stressed or depressed without their parents' knowledge. A visit to a pediatrician could be the starting point towards understanding how your child grows and how their needs change as they advance in age. Anticipating your child's needs is one way of ensuring proper physical and psychological health.

By having a family pediatrician, your children can receive proper treatment and you can learn even more about taking care of them. For more information, contact services like Better Family Care.

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