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new_0_year_baby.pngHelp Me Be Healthy: I am 1 1/2


Help me learn to eat new foods

 

  • Please let me try new foods. I need to taste them to know which ones I like.
  • Serve me foods I like along with a new food. You may need to offer me a new food 10 times before I will try it. This is normal. I am learning about food.
  • I learn by smelling, tasting, and touching. I will put food in my mouth and take it out again. Toddlers do this.
  • If I try many different foods when I am little, I’ll probably like more foods when I am big.


  • Offer me safe foods

     

  • Some foods are hard to eat. I can choke on them. Give me foods that are bite sized and soft enough for me to chew and swallow easily.
  • Foods that I can choke on:
  • Hard foods, like candy, peanuts, popcorn, and nuts
  • Raw vegetables and hard fruits
  • Slick, round foods like hot dogs or whole grapes. Please cut them the long way.
  • Sharp foods like corn chips
  • Sticky foods like peanut butter
  • Large foods like whole hamburgers
  • Chunky soup

     

  • Make our family meals relaxed

     

  • I like to be with you and talk at meals. Let’s turn off all our TVs and cell phones and enjoy our meal together.
  • I still need to sit in my high chair or booster seat when I eat or drink.
  • I can eat some of the same foods you do — I want to be just like you!
  • Please help me have good habits. Let’s wash our hands before and after we eat.
  • Let me try to use a small fork. I will still be messy when I eat. This is how I learn to feed myself.
  • I like to copy what you do. If you make healthy choices and try new foods, I will too!

     

  • Look what I can do

     

  • I can drink from a cup and use a spoon. I am still learning. I will be messy.
  • I can push and pull toys, stack blocks, and throw a ball.
  • I understand much of what you say. Please talk with me so I can learn more.

     

  • Please help me take care of my teeth

     

  • Brush my teeth, front and back,2 times a day.
  • Use a small, soft toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste.

     

  • ​​​* For details, please download Help Me Be Healthy : I am 1 1/2​​​​
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