Children always wonder what it would be to have a stethoscope dangling around your neck or what it’s like getting to wear the white coat each day. Which we can see in their child plays as well when they imitate their doctor visits. In the same way, even adults are curious as to how it feels to park their car in the area reserved only for doctors and go home at the end of the day knowing that you played an intrinsic role in helping save the life of a child.

Among the finest Paediatricians in the city, Dr. Shailesh Barot (Sahayog Hospital & Research Centre) in Virar West, Palghar, Mumbai is known for offering excellent patient care in neonatology and pediatric care for the past 25 years. Being a specialized pediatrician, the doctor offers a number of medical services. These include Immunisation/Vaccination, NewBorn Care, Infant, And Child Nutrition, General Pediatrics among others and he speaks about how to be friendly with the kids to help them grow.

Vaccinate your kids

Vaccinations are as important to the children as they are precious and valuable to their parents. Vaccination is important for the child’s health and safety from diseases. But many parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children during this pandemic due to fear of infections to which Dr. Shailesh convinces the parents by making them aware of the diseases, the complications of the disease, and how there is no relation of vaccines with COVID. He speaks how he manages to vaccinate the kids in spite of their fears.

“I convince them about the importance of vaccination and while talking and playing with the child during the vaccination, they get distracted and the work is done,” he says.

BCG might help in COVID infection

Dr. Shailesh opines that the BCG vaccine and the studies done are promising to help fight the coronavirus infection. “But still, the final judgment is yet to come,” he says.

COVID19 and Indian healthcare

Dr. Shailesh agrees that there has been a substantial effect of COVID on Indian Healthcare. “There is economical as well as patient load and even the doctors are getting affected while helping the already affected,” he says.

Physical activity for kids at home

Since the schools, playgrounds, and other activity centers are closed, Dr. Shailesh advice on how to ensure the good physical and mental health of the child. “Engage them in household activities and indoor games. Also, this is a good time to increase the family bonding,”  he says.

Be as friendly as possible

As per the New Normal, you have to wear protective gear such as gloves, masks, and PPE suits which leads to children experiencing worry, anxiety, and fear looking at these attires. And as a pediatrician, they need to be close and sometimes pacify the crying and fearful kids with their facial expressions. iN such a scenario Dr. Shailesh advises, “Try to be as friendly as possible.”

Balanced nutrition tips

Dr. Shailesh advises the working parents on taking care of the balanced nutrition of their children by:

• Preparing home-cooked meals,  
• Prepare a different variety of food for each meal,
• Try to keep the meals balanced in nutrition, 
• No extra food for kids or overfeeding thinking that the child is not eating

Metabolic disorders on the rise in kids

In this fast-moving world, kids consume a lot of processed food and ready-made foods. “The impact of such a lifestyle on our children's health is leading them to be at higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc. Thus a need for balanced nutrition from early on in life is of utmost importance,” he says.

Dealing with coronavirus 

“The impact of a coronavirus outbreak in the life of doctors has led to lesser practice time so as to maintain social distancing and safe practice,” says Dr. Shailesh.

(Edited By Rabia Mistry)