Every parent wants the best for their child! Most have an instinct built inside of them to care for and provide for their children. This is why the minute you embrace parenthood, you have no trouble prioritizing your child. You may find yourself staying up through the night to care for your baby, have no qualms in attending to your child as often as they need, and become fiercely vocal if you notice your baby gets mistreated.
So how do you use these skills positively towards your baby’s health and wellbeing? There are many ways you can exercise your parental authority to ensure your child stays healthy, and here’s what you need to know about them:
1. Understand That Healthcare Is Not Isolated
The healthcare sector brings in a lot of money for the economy, and it is one of the most important industries in the world. However, many people do not realize that healthcare is not isolated. It is connected to many other industries and relies on them for its success. One of the most important industries that healthcare relies on is the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry is responsible for developing and manufacturing drugs that are used to treat various diseases and conditions. Also, the law plays an important role in the healthcare sector. The legal system helps to regulate the industry and protect patients’ rights. In the situation of malpractice or negligence cases, the legal system can compensate patients. Therefore you can contact birth injury lawyers if your child experiences a traumatic delivery or another type of birth injury. As a parent, you must try your best to provide the best possible care for your child.
Birth injuries are not something that any parent wants to experience. Unfortunately, they do happen, and it is important to have a good lawyer on your side when they do.
Such cases can be complex, and you will want to ensure that you have the best legal representation possible. Hospitals often are quick to settle these cases out of court. However, an experienced birth injury lawyer will not let the hospital take advantage of you and your family.
2. Never Hesitate To Ask For Second Opinion
You have every right as a parent to seek another opinion when looking after your child. You should always maintain the quality of healthcare for your child. Even the best pediatricians can make mistakes, and your child can get severely hurt if you’re not vigilant from the get-go. Always trust your gut instinct. If you feel as though the doctor is not giving your child enough attention, isn’t listening to your concerns, or seems to be checking them over hastily, speak up and look for a new doctor. Once you are happy with the care your child is getting, keep going to request a qualified doctor.
The healthcare sector has a minimum margin to make mistakes. And unfortunately, children are the most common victims. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), medical errors are one of the leading causes of death in children. In the United States, it’s estimated that approximately 4500 kids die every year because of medical errors. Now that’s a number that nobody wants to hear.
3. Pay Attention To Your Baby’s Health
There are instances when a doctor may not catch your baby’s health issues. This usually occurs if the signs are too subtle and not noticeable enough to show up on your doctor’s radar. But because your doctor missed it doesn’t mean it’s not a cause of concern for you. Numerous health conditions, like cerebral palsy, don’t express themselves till later in life. If your child sustains cerebral palsy at birth, the signs become more prominent after your child turns two.
You must be extra vigilant about your child’s health and development in those first few years. For instance, if your baby isn’t gaining weight as it should or they’re not meeting the milestones, these could be early warning signs that something is wrong. Also, take note of your baby’s sleeping and eating habits. If they suddenly change, this could also be a sign that your child is unwell.
4. Mind Your Baby’s Surroundings
The way you look after your baby at home also impacts their health. Suppose you’re used to being slightly dismissive of their welfare and not taking care of your hygiene. In that case, you’re inadvertently damaging your baby’s health. While it’s unrealistic to expect that you’ll be able to achieve maximum standards at your house, try to keep your space as clean as possible. You must train your animals and younger children to mind how they interact with the baby. Don’t let pets near your child until their immune system kicks in.
Furthermore, you must make sure that your home is childproof. Electrical sockets, medicines, and staircases should be out of reach. Keep potentially harmful cleaning products and chemicals locked away. Babies are inquisitive and touch and put anything they can find in their mouths. It would be best if you also thought about the people who come into your home. If possible, only allow close friends and family with no health issues around your baby.
Final Thoughts
Your child deserves the highest standard and form of healthcare which only you can help provide. It would be best to do your due diligence in the healthcare industry before blindly trusting medical care providers. This is because, despite their purpose, hospitals make several mistakes and end up neglecting their patients’ health, including birth injuries. Therefore, as a caring and doting parent, don’t worry about going the extra mile for your child.
You must maintain your household’s quality and hygiene standards to ensure that you’re not contributing to your child’s declining health. This may involve getting the legal bodies inserted into your situation, asking for a second opinion, and being attentive to your child’s symptoms. Lastly, you must apply the same standards you hold for others to yourself.
