Best Pediatric Tips for Parents in Siliguri – From Dr. Jawed Akhtar

As a parent, nothing matters more than your child’s health, growth, and happiness. In a fast-growing city like Siliguri, where families balance busy lifestyles with raising children, it’s important to have access to reliable, practical pediatric advice.

I’m Dr. Jawed Akhtar, a practicing pediatrician in Siliguri, and I’ve worked with hundreds of families to ensure their children grow up healthy, strong, and emotionally confident. In this blog, I’m sharing some of my top pediatric tips for parents in Siliguri — from newborn care to adolescent health.

🍼 1. Start Strong with Newborn Care

The first 30 days of life are critical.
✔ Ensure exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months.
✔ Keep the baby warm, clean, and well-hydrated.
✔ Avoid outside visitors and public places during the first few weeks.
✔ Follow the birth vaccination schedule — especially BCG, Hepatitis B, and Oral Polio.

Pro Tip: Never ignore signs like persistent crying, poor feeding, or fever in a newborn. Seek medical help promptly.

💉 2. Don’t Miss the Vaccination Schedule

Vaccination is non-negotiable.
In Siliguri, we often see late or skipped vaccines due to travel or lack of awareness. This increases the risk of preventable diseases.

Follow the IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) and Government of India immunization schedule.

Key vaccines include:

• DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

• Hepatitis A & B

• Pneumococcal (PCV)

• Typhoid

• HPV (for adolescents)

📌 Pro Tip: Maintain a digital or physical vaccine chart. Don’t wait for illness to occur — prevent it.

🧠 3. Track Growth & Development Milestones

✔ Record your child’s height, weight, and head circumference at regular intervals.
✔ Monitor motor, speech, and cognitive milestones.
✔ If your baby is not sitting by 9 months or walking by 18 months, consult your pediatrician.

Growth delays are common but often correctable if caught early.

🍎 4. Feed Smart – Nutrition is Key

In Siliguri, many children face iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, or undernourishment.

✔ Avoid giving biscuits, processed snacks, or sugary drinks.
✔ Start complementary feeding at 6 months with home-cooked, soft foods.
✔ Encourage seasonal fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
✔ Keep your child hydrated, especially in the summer.

Pro Tip: A balanced thali (plate) is better than packaged formulas or supplements.

😴 5. Build a Sleep Routine Early

✔ Infants need 14–16 hours of sleep per day.
✔ Toddlers need 11–13 hours.
✔ Avoid screen time at night, even for cartoons.
✔ Set a bedtime routine: bath → story → sleep.

Poor sleep affects growth, immunity, and behavior.

😷 6. Know When to See a Pediatrician

Don’t hesitate to seek help if your child has:

• High fever (>101°F) for more than 2 days

• Breathing difficulty or chest in-drawing

• Loose motions, vomiting, or dehydration

• Rashes with fever

• Poor appetite or lethargy

📍 Parents in Siliguri often wait too long — early intervention prevents complications.

💬 7. Talk to Your Child – Not Just at Them

Communication matters at all ages.
✔ For toddlers: Name objects, read books, use simple language.
✔ For school-age children: Encourage sharing, listen to their worries.
✔ For teens: Talk about mental health, peer pressure, and healthy boundaries.

A child who feels heard is more likely to thrive emotionally.

🌱 8. Outdoor Play Over Screen Time

In an age of mobile phones and video games, children are becoming sedentary and irritable.
✔ At least 1 hour of physical play every day
✔ Limit screen time to <1 hour/day for ages 2–5, and 2 hours/day for older kids
✔ Encourage sports, cycling, running, and nature walks

Siliguri’s green spaces and nearby hills make outdoor play easy — make the most of it!

👨‍👩‍👧 9. Don’t Forget Parental Self-Care

Your health affects your child’s well-being.
✔ Rest when your baby sleeps.
✔ Share duties with your partner.
✔ Ask for help when needed — from family or professionals.
✔ Practice mindfulness, even for 5 minutes a day.

A happy parent = a happy child.

💡 Final Thoughts from Dr. Jawed

Parenting is a journey filled with love, learning, and sometimes, confusion. The good news is — you’re not alone.

As your trusted pediatrician in Siliguri, I’m here to support you at every stage — with advice that’s medical, practical, and compassionate.