2½ TO 3 YEARS

I am a toddler.

I learn when WE EAT TOGETHER.

Family meals help me grow in many ways. I learn language skills, social skills, and I eat better when we eat together. Let’s eat family meals together as often as possible.

Here are some ways to make family meals relaxing and enjoyable:

  • Take a break from screens and other distractions so we can focus on the family. Turn off TVs, computers, and phones.
  • Allow me to serve myself. Teach me to take small amounts at first. Let me know I can have more if I am still hungry.
  • Talk with me about positive or neutral topics like what I did, who I talked with, and what I learned that day.
  • Let me eat at my own pace and in my own way. Please be patient with me.
  • I do better with a routine and with limits. Offer meals and snacks every 2-3 hours at about the same times every day. I do best when I have choices. For example, at snack time you could ask me “would you like peaches or strawberries?”.
  • Water is all I need between meals and snacks.

Teach me how to behave at the table.

  • Give me simple, clear rules that work for you and me. Be consistent with rules so I know what to expect.
  • Learning to eat can be messy, but don’t allow me to make messes on purpose. I should not throw food or dump it on the floor. If I do these things, I am probably not hungry and should be excused from the table.

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

Breakfast

¼ cup chopped peaches
½ cup low-fat milk
1 slice, cut up whole grain french toast

Lunch

¼ cup chopped blueberries
½ cup cooked, chopped carrots
¼ quesadilla
with cheese
2 tablespoons baked, chopped chicken
½ cup water

Snacks

½ cup dry cereal
with ½ cup low-fat milk
¼ cup crushed pineapple
with ½ cup low-fat yogurt
 ½ cup sliced bell pepper
water between meals and snacks

Dinner

1 medium edge, cut up melon
½ cup cooked, cut up zucchini
½ cup low-fat milk
½ cup cooked brown rice
¼ cup cooked black 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

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, 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 run and play with others. Let’s be active together for 30-60 minutes every day.
  • I can help with simple chores, like putting toys away. Please tell me I’m doing a good job!
  • I learn a lot from messy play. I can mix, pour, stir, and make shapes. Let me explore sand, clay, and water play.
  • I love to sing. Teach me songs like “Old McDonald” and “The Wheels on the Bus.”
  • When we read together I may start to read to you or tell you a story with the pictures in the book.

Keep me safe and healthy.

Keep harmful things out of my reach such as hot pots and pans, batteries, medicines, detergents, and anything I could choke on.

Take me to the dentist to get my teeth checked. Help me brush my teeth at least twice a day with a small, soft toothbrush and smear of toothpaste. Teach me how to spit out the toothpaste.

We need to wash our hands often. Teach me how to wash my hands with warm water and soap. I need to wash them for at least 20 seconds.

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