Four health checks every children should have done

Having children is one of the best things in the world. There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing them grow up, taking their first steps, learning to talk and discovering their interests - You can have three children and all of their interests are different as they all have their own little minds. 

When you have children, there are several health checks which you should be doing regularly. Some checks will be every three months, others every six months and some every twelve months or more - when you have your first check, they will guide you on when you should be attending the next appointment.  

Some checks are more important than others, however, to give you some guidance, we have put together four health checks every child should have done. From going to the dentist to having an eye test, keep on reading to learn more. 

Visiting the dentist 

Going to the dentist will always be important and will never change, no matter your age. Children should be going to the dentist at least once each year to have a check done on their teeth. The check is quick but it will cover all the basic health recommendations for their teeth. If there are any issues, you want to catch it as soon as possible as the treatment can be a lot easier and quicker than if it’s left too late. 

Having an eye check-up

Another health check which should be on your children's agenda each year is an eye check-up. When going for an eye test, they will look at your children's overall eye health, to ensure they meet the minimum requirements and if not, they will make recommendations on changes they should be making to help their eyes. In a lot of cases, if a child's eye isn’t at its best, they may recommend they wear glasses to help their vision. Glasses vary in price from very affordable to very expensive. If they enjoy their fitness, make sure you take this into account if you need to purchase some glasses as some are specifically designed for sports. 

Getting their vaccines 

Depending on the age of your children and their lifestyle, there are different vaccines which they should be getting as they get older. Ensure you reach out to your local medical practice and ask them which vaccines they should be having. They will be able to make recommendations and book your children in. When they are on the system, they will be able to send you reminders for future vaccines so you can prepare your children for them as the day approaches for them to get the vaccine. Knowing what vaccines your children are due to have, also gives you plenty of time to research them yourself and understand why they are important. For example, your child may be due a 6-in-1 vaccine. This vaccine is good as it covers key illnesses such as diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, tetanus and whooping cough. Vaccines can have some side effects on your children, but these side effects are a lot better than if they caught the illness they are protecting. 

Having a hearing test 

Hearing tests are important as they allow you to monitor your children's ear health and if it’s not performing as it should, you can find solutions early. When taking your children to a hearing test they will do several tests, which are designed to test different parts of their hearing, whether it’s their lower ear or middle ear. Tests can be done every couple of years, however, if you suspect they are having issues with their hearing, you can book one for a couple of days, just to be on the safe side. Hearing tests are very affordable and can be free if done through the correct health body. 

The above four suggestions are very important, however, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other checks you should be doing. Ensure you do your research to make sure you have everything ticked off. As we mentioned above, some checks are vital, however, others aren’t as important. Your local doctor's surgery is always a good place to start if you want a rough guide on checks they should be getting. 

What health checks have you taken your children to in the past? Have we missed any health checks which you think are very important? Which of the tips above do you think is most important? Let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you. 

Related Article:

• Health Benefits of Outdoor Exercise
• 10 Health Recommendations for the New Year