Angela C. Mattke - Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child: Ages 3–11

Angela C. Mattke, M.D.

Paula M. Marlow Limbeck

Karen R. Wallevand

Rachel A. Haring Bartony

Christopher C. Frye

Jeanna L. Duerscherl, Joseph M. Kane, Joanna R. King, Michael A. King, Brenda S. Lindsay, Kent McDaniel, Matthew C. Meyer, Caitlin J. Mock, James (Jim) E. Rownd, Gunnar T. Soroos, Malgorzata (Gosha) B. Weivoda, Aimee L. Wood

Abbie Y. Brown, Eddy S. Morrow Jr., Erika A. Riggin, Katie J. Warner

Miranda M. Attlesey, Alison K. Baker, Nancy J. Jacoby, Julie M. Maas

Steve Rath

Devon O. Aganga, M.D.; Jyoti Bhagia, M.D.; Bridget K. Biggs, Ph.D., L.P.; Patricia M. Collins; Kari A. Cornell; Caroline J. Davidge-Pitts, M.B., B.Ch.; Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.; Jessica M. Davis, M.D.; Daniel R. Hilliker, Ph.D., L.P.; Flora R. Howie, M.D.; Robert M. Jacobson, M.D.; Alexandra C. Kirsch, Ph.D.; Kelsey M. Klaas, M.D.; Suresh Kotagal, M.D.; Seema Kumar, M.D.; Heather L. LaBruna; Jocelyn R. Lebow, Ph.D., L.P.; Jarrod M. Leffler, Ph.D., L.P.; Mark S. Mannenbach, M.D.; Sarah R. McCarthy, Ph.D., M.P.H., L.P.; Mark W. Olsen, M.D.; David B. Soma, M.D.; Tori L. Utley; Allison C. Van Dusen; Brett C. Vermilyea; Laura H. Waxman; Jennifer (Jen) A. Welper; Stephen P. Whiteside, Ph.D., L.P.; Paul E. Youssef, D.O.; Michael J. Zaccariello, Ph.D., L.P.; Katherine A. Zeratsky, RDN, LD

First electronic edition published 2019 by RosettaBooks LLC, New York.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in review.

2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

ISBN (epub): 978-0-7953-5229-4

Mayo Clinic Guide to Self-Care is designed to supplement the advice of your personal physician, whom you should consult regarding individual medical conditions.

MAYO, MAYO CLINIC and the Mayo triple-shield logo are marks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Raising a child is an adventure with a lot of rewards and many unknowns. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to provide your child with balanced, healthy life choices, and to build a strong foundation that allows your child to weather lifes inevitable ups and downs.

How you teach your child at an early age to face challenges and setbacks will prepare him or her to face bigger challenges in middle school, high school and beyond. Dont worry too much if your family encounters struggles ahead. Parenting in any shape or form is rarely an easy task, but a commitment to a loving and nurturing relationship with a child has profound and lifelong rewards.

We understand that every family is different in its makeup and how it functions to raise a healthy child. When we use the word parent, it means any loving and supportive person devoted to raising a child. We hope that no matter what your parenting situation, youll find the information in this book helpful and meaningful.

This book is the work of many individuals with a special interest or expertise in childhood development. A special thanks to all of those who helped make it possible.

Angela C. Mattke, M.D., is a pediatrician in the Division of Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic Childrens Center in Rochester, Minn. In her daily work, she most enjoys seeing her patients smile and helping families who are struggling with health challenges. Dr. Mattke has a special interest in using social media to connect with patients and families and hosts a Facebook Live show with Mayo Clinic called #AsktheMayoMom. She lives in Rochester, Minn., with her husband and two sons.

To help you easily find what youre looking for, Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child is divided into the following seven sections.

Here youll discover what to expect as your child moves through the preschool years all the way to getting ready for middle school. Check developmental milestones, read the latest recommendations on technology use, get a preview of puberty and much more.

Part 2 covers key elements to keeping your child healthy and safe. Get the latest information on child care, vaccines, dental health and sleep. You can also find out what to do in common first-aid and emergency scenarios.

These are big topics in raising a child. In this section, youll find trusted and up-to-date information on fitness and sports recommendations, commonsense guidelines for feeding your family a balanced diet, and proven strategies for preventing and treating childhood obesity and maintaining a healthy body image.

Part 4 gives you step-by-step instructions for helping your child develop positive behaviors, cultivate resilience and foster friendships. Also learn what you can do to help your child cope with tough times and how to address common childhood mental health concerns.

Here youll find helpful tips and remedies for managing conditions that commonly affect children, such as allergies, colds, stomachaches and others.

Some children need more care than others, whether it be medical, behavioral or school-related. Part 6 addresses some chronic conditions that occur during the preschool and school-age years, as well as tips for parenting a child with complex needs.

Families come in all shapes and sizes. But there are some fundamental principles that every successful family adheres to as they live and learn together. Heres what you need to know.

Youve made it through the all-consuming baby and toddler years with your child. Its been quite a ride exhilarating, exhausting and everything in between. Youve poured your heart and soul into this little being, who has required so much of your time and energy but has given you so much in return. Youve delighted in all the ways he or she has grown and changed. With each passing day, youve learned a little more about who your child is.

Throughout it all, your routines and parenting strategies have no doubt evolved to match your changing son or daughter. Adapting to these changes, youve realized, is a big part of being a parent.

Now youre embarking on a new phase: the preschool years. This period is sometimes called the wonder years. No longer in need of constant supervision, your child has become an explorer, filled with wonder and curiosity. Boundaries are being tested and the world beyond the family is opening up. Your little one is making friends and connecting with teachers or other adults. He or she is becoming much more talkative, expressing likes and dislikes often loudly and clearly! Youve noticed that your childs increasing ability to cooperate with daily tasks goes hand in hand with a desire for more independence. These changes can be both exciting and challenging.