Wellness Wisdom: Activities for Building Happy, Healthy Families
Tips for Raising Healthy Eaters
Happy encounters with food at any age help set the stage for sensible eating habits. Handling food and picky eating situations positively encourages healthful food choices. Picky eaters can be a challenge. Parents—you are not alone. Stay positive!
The #1 key to raising healthy eaters is the division of responsibility – Parents Provide, Kids Decide!
- Parents and caregivers are responsible for what, when, and where.
- The child is responsible for how much and whether to eat.
The division of responsibility applies at all ages, infancy to early childhood to adolescence.
- In infancy, it is important to feed your baby on demand, letting him/her determine the timing and tempo of feeding.
- As baby develops and becomes more regular in his eating patterns, you gradually take on responsibility for when and where to feed.
- Most children are ready to join in with family meals and snack routine by the end of the first year. At that point parents focus on what, when, and where.
Breastfed From the Start: Helpful Tips for Mastering Breastfeeding
What is Normal?
It is important to remember that not all babies are the same, especially when it comes to breastfeeding. Contact your WIC clinic or your Peer Counselor if you have questions!
Latching can take some practice for both mom and baby to be positioned correctly and comfortable. Keep trying! Check out the WIC Library for examples of various positions.
Babies feed frequently! It is not uncommon for babies to feed every 1-3 hours, even during the night. Their frequency will also increase during growth spurts.
Your body does not need to make gallons of milk each day. Breasts are designed to make only the amount that baby needs. That’s why it is so important to feed on-demand when your baby shows signs of hunger.
Babies DO burp and pass gas. They also get hiccups. Burp baby frequently during and after feedings if baby is uncomfortable.
Babies’ stools can change color and consistency from day to day. However, contact your WIC office if you notice bloody, foamy, or lime green stools.
Delicious & Nutritious Recipes: Simple, Kid Approved Dishes to Try at Home
Frozen Yogurt Pops
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen berries
- 1 tablespoon honey (CAUTION: Never serve honey to children under age 1)
You’ll also need:
- Paper cups
- Aluminum foil
- Popsicle sticks
Directions:
- Peel banana
- Toss all the ingredients into a blender and puree them
- Divide the puree evenly between paper cups
- Cover the cups with aluminum foil and pierce the center of each with a popsicle stick. The foil will hold the stick in place.
- Freeze 4-5 hours or until solid.
Tips:
You can use any yogurt!
If you don’t have a blender, use fresh berries instead and mash everything together by hand.
You can buy fresh, frozen, or canned fruits with your WIC card.
This post was last updated on June 30th, 2022 at 2:39 PM
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