I have met some parents who are against vaccination. They advocate theories that promote natural immunity, and express reservations against vaccine safety. Please advise if vaccines are safe for children.      

— Mithila Nagarajan, Hyderabad

In recent times, there’s conflicting information especially on the Internet and social media about vaccination, and it’s natural for parents to be confused. Therefore, it’s important for parents to access information from credible sources and judge risks vs. benefits. Please note vaccines are very safe and many vaccine-preventable diseases are life-threatening and difficult to treat. The side effects of vaccination in children are minimal. Moreover, by not immunising children, parents are posing danger to their local communities as unimmunised children easily transmit diseases.

Vaccines are very efficient, cost-effective, and in my opinion safe for providing immunity to children. Don’t hesitate or delay scheduled vaccinations. You can get your child vaccinated either in a government hospital or by your family paediatrician.

 We live in a joint family, and there are multiple caregivers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a nanny) spending time with our children. As both of us are working, it is hard to regulate what food is being given to our children. Please advise.

— Karthika Umesh, Bengaluru

It’s natural that multiple caregivers will have diverse opinions on health and nutrition. I advise that you sit down the entire family and resolve to follow a standard meal plan to ensure your children’s nutritional and physical well-being. Here are some suggestions:

• One parent should play the anchor role and ensure nutritious/well-balanced meals are being provided daily to children.
• Respect home remedies advised by grandparents but approved by a pediatrician.
• Explain to caregivers why they should avoid giving sugary/packaged/junk foods to soothe cranky children.
• Ban a milk-predominant (mother or animal) diet to infants over six months of age. Instead include non-milk complementary foods.

You can rope in your family paediatrician to counsel grandparents/parents on the optimal nutritional plan for your children.

 My children’s digital screen time has increased substantially due to online learning and entertainment. What are some effective strategies to prevent digital eye strain and ensure healthy vision development in children?

— Malini Rao, Mumbai

First we need to understand the reasons contributing to children’s increased screen time:

• Parental screen time (work and non-work-related) has increased substantially.
• Substantial educational and non-educational learning has moved online.
• Working parents often provide mobile phones/electronic gadgets to children to keep them engaged.
• Many parents don’t discourage children watching a screen at meal times.
• Cultural and behaviour transition in a society where parents take pride in their two-year child knowing to scroll through online content/ operate electronic gadgets.

Increased screen exposure can lead to children experiencing eye-related problems, cognitive delays, virtual autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and poor scholastic performance.

Here are a few suggestions to reduce children’s screen time:

• Minimise your own screen time. Children emulate parents.
• Ban screens during mealtimes. Instead encourage conversations at the dining table.
• Ensure zero screen exposure before two years of age, as 80 percent of brain growth occurs in the first two years.
• Encourage free play/ outdoor play.