Useful health tips for children

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Updated on 29/04/2025

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A mother breast-feeding her child.

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Are you a young parent with questions about your baby's health and well-being? Find advice on how to best meet your child's needs: diet, sleep, health, prevention of domestic accidents…
Mother and Child Protection (PMI) professionals are on hand to answer all your questions!

Practical tips

The carnet de santé - Health booklet - is a document that brings together all the events concerning a child's health since birth. It also contains a wealth of advice for parents of young children, particularly on nutrition, well-being and safety.

Its power supply

Milk is the most suitable food for your child during the first 6 months.

If you are breast-feeding

Your milk is the food best suited to your child's needs. Continue breast-feeding for as long as you wish or are able.
  • Initially, breastfeed on demand
  • For at least the first 4 or 6 weeks, avoid mixed breastfeeding (breast and bottle) if possible.
  • Any alcohol you drink passes into your milk. So don't drink alcoholic beverages (beer, cider, wine, aperitifs, etc.) while you're breast-feeding.
  • Similarly, do not take any medication without medical advice.
  • If you need encouragement, advice or answers to your questions, or want to talk about breastfeeding, doctors, midwives, PMI professionals, other breastfeeding women or associations promoting breastfeeding are there to help.

If you're bottle-feeding

  • Your doctor or the PMI consultation will provide guidance on the appropriate type of milk for your baby, along with the recommended quantities and composition methods.
  • You can use tap water (unless it has been filtered or softened) or bottled water labelled "suitable for the preparation of food for infants".
  • Milk can be fed at room temperature
  • If you reheat milk, do not use a microwave oven:
    - nutritional quality may be altered
    - there is a risk of serious burns to the mouth and throat.
  • Always shake the bottle, then check the temperature of the milk by pouring a few drops onto the inside of your forearm.
  • Use BPA (bisphenol A)-free baby bottles, and glass ones if possible.
  • Do not give honey to infants under 1 year of age (risk of infantile botulism).

Diversification

As soon as your baby is 4 months old, you can start giving him foods other than milk, in conjunction with and on the advice of your doctor. On pages 30-31 of the health booklet, you'll find guidelines for introducing foods to children aged 0 to 3.

Well-being

  • From the moment of birth, a privileged encounter is created between you and your child, through looks, smells, touch and voice: get into the habit of holding your baby in your arms and talking to him or her.
  • When your baby is awake, place him on a firm surface in a protected area and let him move around freely. Let him/her sleep on his/her back and play on his/her tummy.

Babies and screens (TV, computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.)

Interacting directly with your child is the best way to foster his or her development.
Before age 3: avoid putting your child in a room where the TV is on, even if he or she isn't watching it.
Whatever his age, avoid putting a TV set in the room where he sleeps; don't give him a tablet or smartphone to calm him, either during meals or before sleep; don't make him use headphones or earphones to calm him or put him to sleep.
Never smoke in the presence of your baby. Tobacco is dangerous.
Smoking in the presence of your baby, or in the baby's living environment, is very dangerous for his or her health. The arrival of a baby is a good reason to stop smoking. Find out more at www.tabac-info-service.fr or from a health professional.

Bathing

  • The correct water temperature for baby's comfort and safety is 37°C. Always check the temperature with a bath thermometer before gently immersing your baby in water.
  • Always hold your baby when he's in the bath and never leave him alone.

Crying

  • On average, your baby can cry up to 2 hours a day. It's a way for him to express himself and get your attention. You'll gradually learn the meaning of his cries: hunger, sleep, discomfort, the need for a cuddle, etc.
  • If you're disconcerted, if you can't stand him crying, don't shout and, above all, don't shake him.
  • Shaking a baby can leave him disabled for life
  • In case of exasperation: put your baby to bed (on his back), leave the room and ask for help from a relative (family, friend, neighbor…) or a professional.
Shaken baby syndrome
Every day in France, 1 baby falls victim to Shaken Baby Syndrome.
In 1 out of 10 cases, the baby will die. If they survive, they will suffer serious after-effects.

>> Find out more about Shaken Baby Syndrome on the Ameli website
>> Leaflet

Sleep

Room temperature where your baby sleeps should be between 18°C and 20°C.
From birth, lay your baby on his back, flat, in his own cradle.
Never lay him on his stomach or side, even if he regurgitates.
Use a cot without a bumper, with a firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet. Do not use pillows, blankets or comforters.
It's also dangerous to add a mattress in an umbrella bed.
Adult beds, armchairs, sofas and footstools are not suitable for babies' sleep, even for a short nap.
Respect your baby's sleeping patterns.
Never give your baby sleeping pills.
Don't get him used to falling asleep with his bottle.
Let your baby move around in bed.
Soft objects that could cover your baby's head or face are dangerous (pillows, baby wedges, head restraints, nursing cushions, etc.).
If possible, it's best to place your baby's cot in your bedroom for at least the first 6 months.
Don't fall asleep with your baby in your arms.
Following this advice can help reduce the risk of unexpected infant death.

Health

To limit the transmission of infections:
  • wash your hands thoroughly before and after caring for your baby
  • avoid being kissed on the face and hands, especially if the person is ill or has a cold
  • if possible, avoid crowded public places (shopping malls, public transport, etc.), especially during bronchitis epidemics.
Do not give him any medication without medical advice.

Safety

Never leave your baby alone:
  • in the bath, on the changing table
  • at home, in the car
  • looking after another child
  • in a room with an animal, even a very familiar one.
Avoid new pets (especially turtles and reptiles) to limit the risk of serious infections transmitted by these animals.
Avoid chains, cords and amber necklaces around the neck. In any case, remember to remove them when you put your child to bed.
Don't let baby drink their bottle alone.
Make sure that the equipment used (seat, bed, toys, etc.) is recent, approved (NF or CE) and age-appropriate.
In the car, fasten your baby in a weight-appropriate device approved by the French road safety authorities.
When walking in a sling or baby carrier, place your baby in an upright position, face up and in the open air. Make sure his head is not bent too far forward.

Sensory disorders

Sensory problems (sight and hearing) can interfere with your child's development. In the event of a problem, early treatment is recommended.
Your baby's vision develops from the very first weeks of life. Be vigilant if :
  • you have a family history of eye problems
  • your child was born prematurely
  • one eye is red
  • your child is cross-eyed, permanently or occasionally
  • his eyes are always watering
  • you see a white reflection in the black of the pupil
  • you find that his gaze is inexpressive, that he blinks or squints often.
Any suspected abnormality requires consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Your baby's hearing is essential for learning to speak. If he doesn't hear well, there are many ways to help him.
From birth, be vigilant if :
  • your child does not react to unexpected noises
  • someone in your family wore a hearing aid before the age of 50
  • you have questions about your child's hearing.
Do not leave your child in a noisy environment for long periods.

Tips for a healthy environment

Certain allergens and chemicals lurking in the everyday environment are potentially toxic for babies. A few precautions can help limit the risks.

Inside the house

  • remember to air your child's bedroom and other rooms for 10 minutes every day, even in winter, to prevent chemical substances (varnish, glue, etc.) from accumulating in the air.
  • reduce the number of cleaning products you use, preferring single-component products (spirit vinegar, black soap, etc.) in moderate doses
  • don't use home perfumes, incense or candles, as they are often rich in harmful chemical compounds
  • avoid any work, especially painting, within 6 months of giving birth
  • check that toys and childcare articles (including pacifiers, playmats, changing mats, etc.) are CE or NF approved. Regulations on toys and their composition are not the same for children under 3 as for those over 3. It's important to comply with them
  • wash textiles (lint and clothing) before first use and regularly, as undesirable chemical compounds may be present
  • avoid using cosmetics in the first few months, both for yourself and your baby
  • plant treatment products (against insects or fungi) often contain pesticides that are harmful to you and your child: limit their use.

Outside the house

  • avoid taking your child out in hot weather or during pollution peaks (especially late afternoons).
  • avoid areas with heavy traffic, especially during rush hours.
The PMI department has produced advice sheets for parents of young children.

PMI multilingual glossary

Child accident prevention

Falling children: beware of windows and balconies

Every year, children, often toddlers, who like to explore their surroundings, accidentally fall from a window or balcony.

These everyday accidents are preventable, and mainly occur during meal preparation time in spring and summer.

Essential reflexes

  • keep an eye on your child: never leave a child alone near an open window or on a balcony
  • never leave a child in the care of another child; systematically close windows and patio doors in rooms where young children are present
  • keep furniture, chairs, beds, toy boxes or any other object that could be used as a stepping stone away from windows
  • if possible, block window openings with a security system. If your windows don't close securely, or if the balustrades make them difficult to climb over or pass through, talk to a professional about installing a security system.
  • explain the dangers to your child, and teach him to play away from windows.
Open window = danger Open window = danger

Domestic accidents

We invite you to consult the advice in the health booklet to protect your child from domestic accidents.