King's Daughters' Health

Healthy Kids = Hay Kid Helping your children reach their full potential starts with building the foundation for good health. Here's what our experts recommend for each age and stage. RIGHT ON TIME Some parents fear children receive too many vaccines in too little time, but unless a child has a disorder that prevents his or her immune system from working correctly, there's no cause for concern. If you're worried, talk with your child's pediatrician before skipping or delaying an immunization. "Every time a new vaccine is added to the recommended schedule, it's tested to make sure it doesn't interfere with the immune response or safety of other vaccines," says Susan Berns, APN, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at King's Daughters' Health. "Schedules that differ from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations aren't tested. Even more important, they extend the time children are susceptible to vaccine- preventable diseases." Ages 0–2: Early Starts Well-child visits: Visiting a doctor regularly is very important for infants and toddlers, as it is for kids of all ages. Well-child visits help pediatricians identify potential developmental delays and other issues. Your child should see a doctor at age 1 week and at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months. Visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines for a complete, easy-to-read immunization schedule for kids of all ages. Sleep: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that during newborns' first three months, they will sleep 16 to 17 hours per day. From age 4 months until their first birthday, babies need 12 to 16 hours. Toddlers need 11 to 14 hours of shut-eye. "Healthy sleep habits should start on day one," says Diamond Harris, MD, pediatrician at King's Daughters' Health. "During the first six months, establish a bedtime routine – for example, a soothing bath and story time – and put baby to bed in his or her own crib, without any toys or loose blankets. Around age 6 months, set a specific sleep schedule." Vaccines: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends kids in this age group receive: • Hepatitis B – once at birth with a booster at 1 to 2 months old and another at 6 to 18 months. • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) – once each at 2, 4 and 6 months and again between 15 and 18 months • Hib – once each at 2, 4 and 6 months and a booster between 12 and 15 months; Hib protects against a bacterial infection that can lead to pneumonia and other severe complications. • PCV – once each at 2, 4 and 6 months and again between 12 and 15 months; this vaccine protects against a type of bacteria responsible for illnesses including pneumonia and ear infections. • IPV (polio) – once each at 2 and 4 months and again between 6 and 18 months • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) – once between 12 and 18 months • RV (rotavirus) – once each at 2, 4 and 6 months • Varicella – a first dose between 12 and 15 months • Hepatitis A – once between their first and second birthdays • Flu – once a year, starting at 6 months old Diamond Harris, MD, pediatrician at King's Daughters' Health, with one of her patients SPRING •• www.kdhmadison.org

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