1½ TO 2 YEARS

I am growing and learning every day.

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
  • Let me use my spoon, fingers, or both. I learn by smelling, tasting, and touching food.
  • If I don’t like a new food right away, that’s ok! Offer it again at another time. It might take 10 or more times before I decide to try it.
  • Please don’t force me to eat. Let me eat my way – fast or slow.
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.
WHERE
  • Eat with me. Learning new things can be scary. I feel safe with you and will learn best with your support.
Let me decide what and how much to eat.
Please don’t make me eat more or less than I want.

Here are some examples of what meal and snack portion sizes might look like on my plate.

Breakfast

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

Lunch

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

Snacks

½ cup dry cereal
2 to 3 whole grain crackers with cheese
¼ cup cooked, chopped carrots
water between meals and snacks

Dinner

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

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!

  • 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.

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 me during screen time and interact with me. Remember, to schedule plenty of non-screen time into my day.

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position