Back to School Health Tips

Ashanti Woods, M.D., FAAP, a specialist in General Pediatrics at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, offers ways parents can prepare their kids for a healthy school year.

"The first thing is to make sure you're ready to go back to school. Make sure you've made an appointment with your pediatrician and have an annual physical. Also confirm that you're up to date with your vaccines," Dr. Woods said.

For kids who take medications or may need an EpiPen, parents should make sure to send the school the necessary forms. Also run through your child's school schedule to reduce back-to-school anxiety or do a dry run to the school. Finally make sure your children get enough sleep, about 10 hours a night.

"You want to make sure your child's book bag is appropriate to their size. You want it to have padding on the back and try to limit how many items you place in it. Maybe about 10 to 20 percent of the child's body weight. You also want your child to have a nutritious breakfast to get their day started off right. Children should always have access to water, so every child should have a water bottle and water bottle access," Dr. Woods said.

Dr. Woods added it is important to practice proper handwashing with your children to help limit the spread of germs.

View Mercy pediatrician Dr. Ashanti Woods' interview regarding back-to-school health tips.