3 common parenting concerns you probably don’t need to worry about

Allyson Price, MD

Pediatrics

You’re doing your best to make sure your child is healthy and safe, but it feels like the things to worry about are endless. Are they getting adequate nutrition? Should I be concerned if they’re snoring? Is it okay for my teen to wear shorts in freezing temperatures? Pediatrician Allyson Price, DO, addressed three common parenting concerns that you probably don’t need to worry about.

Does my child need a multivitamin?

“This is a question I get pretty often from parents, especially those with toddlers or preschool aged children,” Dr. Price said. “But most healthy kids who eat a varied diet don’t need a multivitamin.”

Parents are usually concerned because their child is a picky eater who’s not a fan of fruits and vegetables. However, kids don’t need to eat a lot of fruits and veggies to get their daily recommended vitamins.

“Our bodies store vitamins, so you don’t necessarily have to have every single one every single day to keep your levels where they need to be,” she said.

There are certain patients who do need supplemental vitamins, however, including kids who are suffering from chronic diseases like liver disease, cystic fibrosis and anorexia. Also, babies under 12 months who are breastfed may need a vitamin D supplement. Your pediatrician will discuss with you what is needed and how to provide it.

If you feel like your child may need a multivitamin, talk to your doctor first.

“Most over-the-counter multivitamins for kids don’t really pose any significant risk, but I would always discuss it with their pediatrician before starting them just in case the child is taking a medication that could interact with the multivitamin,” Dr. Price said.

If a child snores, is that a sign there’s a problem?

“This is another question I get asked a lot, especially at well visits,” Dr. Price said. “Most pediatricians will discuss sleep at every checkup because it is such an important part of a well visit, and we’ll ask about snoring.”

Snoring is common in kids, especially after an illness like a respiratory infection, and snoring on its own is nothing to worry about. It’s only a concern if other symptoms are present.

“If a parent says their child snores, I’ll ask if they notice that the child is not well rested throughout the day,” Dr. Price said. “Are they having a hard time focusing at school or at home? Are they restless while they sleep? Are they having some problems with bedwetting? Or – and this is a big one – I’ll ask if they notice any regular pausing in their breathing when the child is sleeping, or if they hear the child gasping regularly during their sleep. If the answer is yes, that’s when we start having concerns for possible obstructive sleep apnea where the tonsils and adenoids can somewhat obstruct breathing patterns in kids while they’re sleeping.”

In those cases, children may be referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist or to a sleep specialist for a possible sleep study.

Whether the child has other symptoms or not, it’s always good to talk to your pediatrician about your child’s snoring. They can ask you some follow up questions and determine if any further steps are needed.

Should I force my teen to dress appropriately for the weather?

“My short answer for this is usually no,” Dr. Price said. “In the grand scheme of things, you have to pick your battles, especially with teenagers.”

The only situation that might require some discussion is if the child is going to be outside in below freezing weather for a prolonged time. But if they’re going from the house to the car and into school, it’s not worth the battle. Also, kids learn through experience.

“If they get cold or wet, they’re more likely to learn from that experience and maybe change what they decide to wear in certain situations going forward,” Dr. Price said.