Find out ways to keep your family healthy. Balancing all the demands of life alongside being a parent is tough. A healthy diet, exercise and sleep can all get disrupted. If you can, talk to your partner about ways you can both have some time and space as well as enjoy quality time together. Keeping yourself fit and well is important for your family - you can't pour from an empty cup. You can find out more local support for healthy lifestyle below.
Healthy lifestyle
Change 4 Life - lots of advice, recipes and tips to eat well, move more and live longer, including games, information and ideas to be a healthier family.
Eating well is one of the best ways to reach a healthy weight and feel better about life. Check out One You Kent's exclusive 'Food Smart' film series for some great healthy eating ideas, top tips and advice on food labelling, cooking on a budget, snacking well and watching your sugar intake. We recommend all women who are breastfeeding take vitamin D supplement to stay healthy. You can get vitamin D drops from your local pharmacy. Children's dietetics have useful resources and information on healthy eating, fussy eating, allergies and constipation.
Small changes can make a big difference and One You Kent advisors can support you to make the changes that will work for you. So whether you want to quit smoking, lose weight or just generally feel better about life, One You Kent lifestyle advisors can help. This is a free service from the NHS offered over six sessions. You and your partner can both be referred for support but will be seen separately. Please call 0300 123 1220 or email oneyou.kent@nhs.net for more information.
Keeping active
Being active is good for your mind and body. Every minute of activity counts and the more you do, the more you'll benefit, physically and mentally. Try to build activity into your daily life. Start gently and build up gradually with smaller goals to keep you motivated. Try a walk - it will boost your energy, lift your mood and make everyday activities easier. Once you start achieving things you will want to do more. Think of exercise as time to focus on you and the chance to try something new.
Smoking and alcohol
If you smoke, now is a great time to try to quit. Smoke irritates your child's airways and may cause breathing problems as well as chest and ear infections. Quitting will also save you money and help you feel healthier and reduce stress levels. For free stop smoking support, including nicotine replacement treatment and weekly sessions where you can talk about your quit journey with someone who can help you get through any tough times contact One You Kent. You can visit One You for advice on reducing your drinking and to download the new app 'Lower My Drinking'. Kent County Council has more information about local drug and alcohol services.
Sexual health
The Kent and Medway Sexual Health Service can provide contraception, STI testing and treatment, psychosexual therapy services as well as care for people living with HIV.
Your mental health and wellbeing
Mental illness might make it harder for you to navigate the challenges of family life. If you've been experiencing negative or frightening feelings and thoughts for more than a couple of weeks and these feelings are getting in the way of your daily life, it's a good idea to seek some help. Your GP or health visitor is here to support you if you are struggling.
Visit our mental wellbeing section for more information and support.
Keeping active
The terrific twos are an exciting time for little ones, running, climbing, playing all support their development. Join in and have fun! Play provides children with the opportunity to learn new skills. It also gives them a chance to socialise with other children, develop coordination, balance and body awareness.
Allowing your toddler to explore is exciting and let's your child feel independent and gain understanding of their place in the world. Playing in the house or garden can support imaginative play and creativity. Say things like, "Let's try to stand on our tiptoes to reach up as high as we can." "Let's count the stairs as we go up to the bathroom, one, two, three, four..."
Give your toddler opportunities to play alongside other children. This is really helpful for both physical and social and emotional development. Going to the park or attending groups at your local children's centres will allow your child to play alongside others and take part in physical games and activities.
Swimming can give you and your toddler time together and the chance to play and enjoy water.
Your child should be physically active for around three hours every day. You can have bursts of activity throughout the day both indoors and outdoors. Using a climbing frame, running and chasing are a great way for toddlers to get active but light activities such as rolling or dancing are also great. Change 4 life has great 10 minute shake up games you can do with your child.
Find more ways to have a great time with your toddler with the Born to Move app. The app supports parents and carers on the amazing journey from pregnancy all the way to their child starting school. Find out more wherever you get your apps from.
If you have any worries about your child's development at any stage, you can speak to your health visitor for advice and support.
Feeding your toddler
Find out more about feeding your child on our 'your toddler's diet' page.
If you are on certain benefits and are pregnant or have children under the age of four, you can claim Healthy Start vouchers. Find out if this applies to you at Healthy Start. These weekly vouchers can be used to buy milk, fruit and vegetables, pulses, and infant formula milk. You can also get vitamin supplements.
Dental health
You can find lots of tips to keep your child's teeth healthy at NHS.uk Children should be supported to brush their teeth until age seven. Your child is entitled to free dental NHS treatment up to the age of 19. Ring 0300 123 4412 to find your nearest NHS dentist.
Immunisations
One of the best ways to protect your child against diseases like measles, rubella, tetanus and meningitis is through immunisation. Start4Life has a full list of the all the vaccinations your child is entitled to and the diseases they will be protected against.
All two and three-year-olds are offered a free flu vaccination at your GP surgery. This is given as a painless, nasal spray.
Your child won't have any other standard vaccinations between two and three but if you think they may have missed some previously, contact your GP to book them in. Details of vaccinations your child has already had will be in their Red book if you are unsure.