s a parent, you hold one of the world’s most important jobs. Here are 10 tips to help you succeed: Choose breast over bottle. Breast milk provides all the nutrients a newborn needs, and its antibodies help limit infections, allergies and diarrhea. Be wise: immunize. Immunizations head off serious diseases. Children should get most of their shots before age 2, but older children also need shots. Your doctor can give you a list. Get checkups. Ask your doctor for a schedule of routine checkups to track your child’s development and spot potential problems early. Buckle ’em up. Car accidents kill and hurt more children in the United States than any other injury. Use a carseat as long as possible — then fasten kids’ seat belts each time you drive. Start dental care early. Before the first tooth, wipe baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeding. Begin brushing when the first tooth appears and flossing when two teeth touch. Visit a dentist within six months of the first tooth. Put safety first. Accidents can happen in seconds but cause problems that linger for years. Take steps to keep kids safe, such as supervising your children and storing household products out of their reach. Hand out healthy food. Don’t give children younger than 2 low-fat foods, but by age 5, a child’s diet should resemble a healthy adult’s: high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains; low in fat, sugar and meat. Encourage exercise. Daily exercise boosts cardiovascular fitness and overall health. Join your kids in physical play — you can enjoy tag, swimming, bicycling and walking as a family. Save children’s skin. Skin cancer relates directly to childhood sun exposure. Have kids wear a hat and sunscreen every day. For sensitive areas such as the nose and ears, use a sunblock. Be a role model. Choose a healthy, active, smoke-free lifestyle — and include your children in it.