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1.5 TO 2 YEARS

I am growing and learning every day.

If we are breastfeeding, I still may want to nurse daily or just a few times per week. Breast milk still protects me from germs and is nutritious. Breastfeeding helps you stay healthy too, mom!

When it’s time for me to wean, patience is best. Think of another activity we can do – like reading a book, so we still have that special time together.

I need your help to be a good eater and TRY NEW FOODS!

WHAT
  • Offer small amounts (1 to 2 tablespoons) of several foods, even ones you don’t like.
  • Offer me a new food along with a familiar food.
HOW
  • Wash my hands before I eat. I am learning to use a spoon, but I still use my fingers, too.
  • If I don’t like a new food right away, that’s okay! Offer it again at another time. It might take 10 or more times before I decide to try it. I learn to like these foods by smelling, tasting, and touching.
  • Please don’t force me to eat. Let me eat my way – fast or slow.
  • Serve all my drinks in a cup. If I’m still drinking from a bottle start to decrease the number of bottles I have in a day.
WHEN
  • I need a routine. Let’s eat at the same times every day.
  • My stomach is still small, so I get hungry every 2 or 3 hours.
  • I do best with 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and 2 or 3 snacks.
  • I only need water between meals and snacks. A small amount of juice is fine, but no more than 4 ounces a day. Too much juice will fill my small tummy.
WHERE
  • Eat with me. Learning new things can be scary. I feel safe with you and will learn best with your support.
  • Let me eat at the table with everyone. I need to be safe, sitting up, supported, and if I have a highchair, buckled in.
Girl

Let me decide what
and how much to eat.

Please don't make me eat
more or less than I want.

Below are examples of meal/snack ideas and portion sizes to serve on my plate.

Here’s what my BREAKFAST might look like...

¼ cup diced strawberries
½ cup breast milk or whole milk
Breakfast Dish
½ slice, cut up whole grain toast
1 cooked, cut up egg

Here’s what my SNACKS might look like...

½ cup dry cereal
¼ cup cooked, chopped carrots
snack Dish
2 or 3 crackers with cheese
water between meals and snacks

Here’s what my LUNCH might look like...

½ medium sliced banana
¼ cup cooked, chopped green beans
Lunch Dish
¼ cup whole grain macaroni and cheese
½ cup water

Here’s what my DINNER might look like...

¼ cup applesauce
½ cup cooked, cut up broccoli
dinner Dish
1 medium, cut up corn tortilla
½ cup breast milk or whole milk
¼ cup cooked, mashed pinto beans

Daily Suggested Food Group Amounts

Fruits

2 servings a day
1 serving = ½ cup
(1 cup total)

Cooked or soft, raw fruit.
Mashed, sliced, or chopped.

Offer a variety: red, yellow, orange, blue, and green.

Vegetables

2 servings a day
1 serving = ½ cup
(1 cup total)

Cooked and mashed, sliced, or chopped veggies.

Offer a variety: dark green, orange, red, yellow, and purple.

Grains

6 servings a day
1 serving = ½ ounce
(3 ounces total)

Bite-sized pieces.

Whole grain bread, tortillas, rice, or noodles.

Dry or cooked cereal.

Proteins

2 servings a day
1 serving = 1 ounce
(2 ounces total)

Cooked, chopped meat, poultry, or fish.

Eggs.

Cooked, mashed beans, or peas.

Peanut butter.

Dairy

4 servings a day
1 serving = ½ cup
(2 cups total)

Breast milk (at breast or expressed) or whole milk.

Yogurt.

Cheese.

Look what I can do! Bulb

  • I understand a lot of what you say. Read, talk, and sing to me so I can learn more!
  • I like to copy what you do. Let me play with a bowl and spoon. I will pretend to stir food just like you do.
  • I am still learning how to use a spoon and cup. Please be patient with my mess.
  • I can use my hands to stack blocks, throw a ball, and push and pull toys. Play with me!

Keep me Safe and Healthy. Heart

I love to run, jump, and climb. Watch me when I’m active so I don’t get hurt.

I like to explore. I open doors and drawers to see what’s inside. Let me learn, but keep me safe.

Please DON'T give me foods I could choke on like whole nuts, whole grapes, seeds, hot dogs, or hard candies.

I need check-ups and shots to stay healthy. I should visit the doctor at 18 months and 2 years.

If I haven’t seen the dentist yet, make my first appointment. I should be brushing my teeth twice a day. Ask my dentist how to keep my teeth healthy.

Be with young children during screen time and interact with them. Remember, to schedule plenty of non-screen time into my day.

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