2 TO 2½ YEARS

I feel proud when I get to choose.

I need your help to LEARN TO MAKE CHOICES.

WHAT

  • I can eat what everyone else eats. You don’t need to make something special for me.
  • Let me decide what I will eat from the foods you offer.
HOW
  • Give me a choice when possible. Ask me, “do you want peas or carrots with dinner?” or “Would you like red or green apple slices?”.
  • Offer me a variety of foods, even ones you don’t like. Let me try them to learn if I like them.
  • 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.
WHEN
  • My routine is important. Let’s try to eat at the same times every day.
  • If I don’t want to eat at a meal or snack, tell me I will have another chance to eat at the next meal or snack time.
  • Remember, I only need water between meals and snacks.
WHERE
  • I learn by watching you. Sit and eat the same foods that you offer to me.
  • Teach me I am part of the family. I can help by wiping off the table and tearing lettuce or greens for salad.
I am learning how to do more, like feeding myself and cleaning up my toys.
I love when you tell me you are proud.

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

Breakfast

¼ cup diced raspberries
½ cup low-fat yogurt
½ slice, cut up whole grain french toast
½ cup water

Lunch

¼ cup diced kiwi
½ cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
1 slice whole grain bread
with 1 tablespoon peanut butter spread thin
½ cup low-fat milk

Snacks

snack
½ cup dry cereal
½ cup cooked, chopped carrots
½ cup chopped blueberries
½ cup shredded cheese
water between meals and snacks

Dinner

½ cup cooked, chopped green beans
½ cup low-fat milk
½ cup cooked, diced tomatoes
with ½ cup cooked whole grain pasta
with 2 tablespoons baked, chopped chicken

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

3 servings a day 
1 serving = ½ cup
(1½ cups total)

Raw or cooked, 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)

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 beans, peas, or tofu.

Peanut butter.

DAIRY

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

Low-fat milk.

Yogurt.

Cheese.

Look what I can do!

  • I can feed myself with a spoon or a fork. I still use my fingers so help me wash my hands before I eat.
  • I can run, jump, and climb. Let’s be active together!
  • I learn new words from you. Teach me the names and colors of foods and other objects. I still love it when you read to me.

Keep me safe and healthy.

Now that I am 2 years old, it’s time for me to switch to low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt.

I’m still learning to chew food properly. Please DON’T give me foods I could choke on like whole nuts, whole grapes, seeds, hot dogs, or hard candies, and sit with me while I eat.

Help me brush my teeth at least twice a day with a small, soft toothbrush and smear of toothpaste.

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