Worrying about your child’s health is completely natural, especially when you’re a first-time parent. It can feel like you’re winging it a lot of the time!
If anyone can provide comforting advice, it’s paediatrician and presenter Dr Ranj Singh.
In the CBeebies Parenting Helpline podcast, Dr Ranj talks to hosts Charlie Hedges and Holly Hagan-Blyth about everything from fevers, coughs and colds to parental health anxiety and taking your little one to the doctors.
Caller Rachel also has a question about developmental milestones.
Here are Dr Ranj’s top tips to help you look after your child’s health and manage your worries about their wellbeing too…
1. Trust your parental intuition – it’s one of the best tools you have
“As a parent, the best thing you can probably do is trust your intuition,” says Dr Ranj.
However, trusting yourself is easier said than done, especially in the early days of parenting, explains Holly. “I had a very anxious beginning with a newborn. That kind of ruined that first year a little bit for me.”
Your intuition develops over time, reassures Dr Ranj.
“When your gut is telling you something's not right, it doesn't necessarily mean something is seriously wrong. It could just mean that you need reassurance.”
“Your intuition comes from years of experience in your brain, homing in on certain signals and behaviours and thinking ‘That doesn't feel right’.”
Dr Ranj talks about spotting subtle cues that could indicate problems with your child’s hearing and sight, for example. If your internal alarm bells are ringing, seek professional advice.
“And if you've been to see someone, but you go back home and things still aren’t getting better, come back,” he adds.
2. that your child’s development is unique to them
In Dr Ranj’s experience, parents frequently worry about their child’s developmental milestones, especially the big ones like starting to walk.
“People fixate on developmental milestones but there's actually a bit of leeway in them.
“Because every child is different, not everyone goes by the textbook. Children’s brains develop at different rates, so they achieve their milestones at slightly different times or sometimes a slightly different order.”
If you've got genuine concerns about your child's development, best to speak to a professional. Avoid the natural urge to compare your child to others, adds Dr Ranj.
“You're not going to enjoy your parenting if you're constantly comparing your child to somebody else’s - every child is different.”
3. Only use trusted online information and use it wisely
It’s second nature to reach for your phone and search for your child’s symptoms.
“Then before you know it, you're freaking out more than your child is,” adds Charlie.
If you want reassurance online, follow some golden rules, says Dr Ranj.
“Always check your sources, make sure you're going somewhere official. There are loads of NHS-accredited and fact-checked sources out there.”
If your intuition is telling you something is wrong, speak to a professional before getting lost down an internet rabbit hole.
You don’t necessarily have to see anyone in person – there’s NHS 111 helpline or you can use 111 online if your child is over five.
4. Help your child feel at ease about medical appointments
It can be a struggle to stay calm when your child is ill.
“I had to send my husband with my son whenever he had a doctor's appointment because I just knew that I was gonna cry,” recalls Holly.
Although it comes from a good place, your child will pick up on your stress and it could create fear around going to the doctors.
“You've got to be a bit brave, as well as your little one,” says Dr Ranj
He also recommends bringing them to your appointments, so they get used to doctors and trying medical play at home.
“Also check out shows like CBeebies Get Well Soon, which I was part of. It was created to allay children’s fears about their health and doctors.”
When they have an appointment, chat to them beforehand about what’s going to happen in an age-appropriate, ive way.
“If you surprise them, they won't trust you next time.”
5. Talk openly to build your child’s health and body awareness
As your child’s language skills develop, you can them to communicate about sensations and symptoms in their body.
Often kids will say their tummy hurts as a catch-all, but in time they’ll be better at pinpointing what’s wrong, says Dr Ranj.
“It's about keeping conversations open, where nothing's too embarrassing.
“If they feel they can come to you, then that's the kind of relationship that you want to maintain.”
Dr Ranj says honest, age-appropriate conversations with your child about their body parts and what’s private can also foster confidence as they grow up.
“You’re creating a non-judgmental safe space and that’s really important. The PANTS campaign from the NSPCC, that teaches around safeguarding and body awareness, is a really good guide.”
6. Know what’s normal with common illnesses
Fevers are probably the most common thing Dr Ranj sees when he’s working in A&E.
“A fever temperature is a normal response to something foreign, usually an infection and it's your body's way of fighting it off,” he explains.
Dr Ranj understands the worry around fevers.
“A lot of my job actually is reassuring people - saying don't panic about the number, look at the child.”
NHS advice is to call 111 or your GP if your child is…
Under three months old and has a temperature of 38°c or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
Three to six months old and has a temperature of 38°c or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
Having a temperature that has lasted five days or more
Always feel like your little one is ill? You’re not alone.
As their immune system develops, they’ll be picking up bugs frequently, says Dr Ranj. He reckons that, “toddlers get sick once a month on average.”
“I know it's frustrating and it is hard work. Parents will say to me, ‘They're just constantly sick’.
“But it’s probably a succession of different things that they're picking up, especially if they're in nursery. It is a way of them building up their immune system to prevent problems later.”
7. Encourage healthy hygiene habits
Little ones, including Holly and Charlie’s children, love interacting with the world, putting things in their mouths and getting hands-on in nature.
It’s lots of fun and can help build their immune system, says Dr Ranj.
But also instil everyday hygiene habits to help them stay healthy.
“Handwashing at appropriate times, such as when you’ve been out and your hands are dirty, before eating and after going to the toilet. Taking off shoes when you come into the house. If they're coughing and sneezing, try do it into a tissue and clean their hands afterwards.”
Dr Ranj talks to Holly and Charlie about one of the biggest milestones - learning to walk!
