Looking after a little one is a pretty tough task. Children are unable to care for themselves and will rely on you to provide them with everything they need to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle. This can feel like a lot of responsibility, but it’s what you sign up for as a parent! Of course, there’s plenty of guidance for you along the way. One thing you should make sure to keep on top of is health checks. These are scheduled and recommended for your little ones to ensure that they have the best health possible. There are a number of them, but here are a few to prioritize!

Vaccines

All children need an array of vaccines to prevent a host of conditions that could otherwise negatively impact their health and wellbeing throughout their lives. Vaccines are also important for herd immunity and protecting those who can’t have vaccines due to allergies or other conditions. Here’s a brief guide of the vaccinations your children should be having throughout their childhood to teen years.

Before the age of 8 weeks

• 6 in one vaccine (protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib, polio, tetanus and whooping cough)
• Rotavirus vaccine
• MenB

Before the age of 12 weeks

• 6 in one vaccine (second dose)
• Rotavirus vaccine (second dose)
• PCV vaccine

Before the age of 16 weeks

• 6 in one vaccine (third dose)
• MenB (second dose)

1 year old

• Hib/MenC
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• PCV vaccine (second dose)
• MenB (third dose)

2 – 10 years old

• Flu vaccine (annually)

3 years and four months

• MMR (second dose)
• Pre-school booster

12 – 13 years old

• HPV vaccine

14 years old

• Teenage booster
• MenACWY

Hearing Examinations

Most kids can hear fine. But it’s important to ensure that your kids have hearing tests carried out if you have any concern about their sense of sound. Whether you notice changes to their responsiveness to noises, or whether they complain of tinnitus symptoms or other issues, it’s important to act fast whenever you’re worried. A professional audiologist will be able to identify issues and provide the support or equipment required to help them lead an easier day to day life with optimal hearing.

Dental Checkups

You may think that your little ones don’t need dental checkups, as they only have their baby teeth, which will fall out and be replaced anyway. But poor dental health can result in unnecessary dental decay, pain or other problems for your children. Dental checkups also encourage children to learn about oral hygiene and can give your dentist the chance to show them how to care for their teeth properly as they grow up. This gets them into good habits when it comes to their adult dental health too!

These, of course, are just a few recommendations. There are even more health checks you’ll find yourself taking your kids along to over the years. But these are some important ones that you should really schedule into your diary!