About Dr. Sumit Chakravarty

It's best to visit a pediatrician within the first few days after birth—usually around 3 to 5 days old. After that, regular well-baby check-ups are scheduled to monitor your child's growth, development, and vaccinations.

Your child should have regular check-ups as recommended:

• Every few weeks or months during infancy
• Annually from age 2 onward

These visits help track physical and mental development, address any health concerns, and keep vaccinations up to date.

Vaccines protect children from serious diseases. The routine schedule includes vaccines for polio, hepatitis B, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), measles, mumps, rubella, rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, and more. Your pediatrician will guide you based on age and national immunization guidelines.

Yes, especially in the first few years, it's normal for children to get 6–8 colds or infections a year as their immune systems are still developing. Most are mild and treatable at home, but consult your pediatrician if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Monitor the temperature, keep your child hydrated, and give fever-reducing medicine (like paracetamol) only if recommended. Seek medical help if the fever is high, lasts more than 3 days, or your child seems very unwell.

Be patient and consistent. Offer a variety of healthy foods, avoid forcing meals, and set regular mealtimes. Toddlers are often picky, but most will meet their nutrition needs over time with gentle encouragement.

Sleep needs vary by age:

• Infants: 14–17 hours
• Toddlers: 11–14 hours
• School-age children: 9–11 hours
• Teenagers: 8–10 hours

Good sleep is vital for healthy growth and development.

Too much screen time can affect sleep, attention, and behavior. It's best to:

• Avoid screens for children under 2
• Limit to 1 hour/day for kids 2–5
• Encourage healthy screen habits for older kids with supervision and breaks

Balance with physical activity, reading, and play.

Most babies start walking between 9–15 months and begin using words around 12 months. However, every child develops at their own pace. If you notice delays in speech, movement, or interaction, consult your pediatrician early.

Childproof your home by:

• Covering electrical outlets
• Keeping sharp or hot objects out of reach
• Using safety gates near stairs
• Storing medicines and cleaning supplies securely

Supervision and creating a safe environment go a long way in preventing accidents.