Wyoming WIC

2 TO 2½ YEARS

2-TO-2½-YEARS-EN-QR

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. You may need to cut it in smaller pieces for me.
  • Let me decide what I will eat from the foods you offer.

HOW

  • 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 consistent times every day. I like to eat about every 2-3 hours.
  • My tummy is small. I need to eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day.
  • If I don’t want to eat at a meal or snack, remind me that I can eat at the next meal or snack time.
  • Serve me mostly 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 by eating together. I might like to pretend cooking and eating with toy plates and foods.

I am learning how to do more, like feeding myself and cleaning up my toys.

I love when you tell me you are proud.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I EAT?​

During my second year of life, less of my nutrition will come from breast milk or formula and more will come from table foods. I continue to learn about new foods. I’m trying new tastes and textures. My foods will change as I learn and grow.

For me, amounts are still small. I may be eating more whole foods that are soft, cut up, or foods I can pick up by myself.

My appetite can change from day to day. Don’t worry if I eat more one day and less the next. Keep offering me new foods and add on to favorites I enjoy. We’ll learn together. Eating together should be enjoyable for both of us.

Offer meals and snacks about every 2-3 hours, including something before bedtime.

Create a satisfying meal or snack by offering me a few different foods at snack time.

I eat small portions. A serving is 1-2 tablespoons or a quarter slice of bread. Let me eat until I show you I am full.

Here are some examples of what meal and snacks might look like on my plate.

Many of these options can be made with WIC-approved foods!

Breakfast

diced strawberries
Breakfast_french-toast_strawberries-yogurt
milk in an open cup
yogurt
french toast sticks with maple syrup
- OR -
peeled apple slices
Breakfast_eggs_apple_bacon_juice
100% fruit juice
scrambled eggs with cheese
turkey bacon

Lunch

diced kiwi

water in an open cup
ham sandwich
cooked, mashed sweet potatoes 
- OR -
sliced banana
Lunch_banana_carrots
milk in an open cup
peanut butter and jam sandwich
cooked, chopped carrots

Snacks

peanut butter on banana slices
Snacks_banana-peanut-butter_6-slices
milk in an open cup
- OR -
crackers with cheese
water in an open cup
- OR -
watermelon
Snacks_graham-cracker_watermelon
milk in an open cup
graham crackers
- OR -
applesauce
milk in an open cup
oatmeal cookie

Offer snacks between meals. They help tide me over between meals. Plan for two during the day and one before bed.

Dinner

pasta with butter and grilled, chopped chicken
cooked, halved cherry tomatoes
milk in an open cup
cooked, cup up broccoli
- OR -
quesadilla with guacamole
mandarin orange slices 
Dinner_beans-rice_quesadilla_madarin-oranges
milk in an open cup
black beans and rice

A serving at my age is about 1-2 tablespoons of a food. Offer 2-3 food items at a meal and build from there. Let me eat until I show signs I’m full. I might close my lips, turn or shake my head, or raise my arm. Let me stop eating and get down when I’m done.

My eating might vary from day-to-day. Don’t worry, that’s normal for me.

Food Groups

These are examples of foods that are in each food group. I may eat more or less than the amount of each food shown.

Family Meals

  • I like to be with you. Let's enjoy eating together. Please turn off all our TVs and cell phones and any other things that might distract me.
  • Put me in my highchair or booster seat at the table when it's time to eat a meal or snack. Make sure my feet are supported.
  • Treat me like the rest of the family by offering me what everyone else eats. Cut or soften it if need be.
  • Put each food on my plate. As I grow, you can help me serve myself. I love my small plate, cup, fork, and spoon. They are just the right size for me.
  • Trust me to eat what and how much I need from what you offer at the table.

Help me to like new foods

  • Keep offering me new foods along with foods I already like. Please don't force me to eat them. It might take many tries before I taste or learn to eat the new food.
  • I change my mind a lot. I might like a food today, but not tomorrow. I might eat only one food. This is normal.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!​​

  • I like to do things for myself. Please say you are proud of me.
  • I can build a tower out of blocks.
  • I love to run, jump, and climb. Please watch me and keep me safe.
  • I am learning new words. I can even put words together like "Want snack, Mommy" or "Where ball, Daddy?". Talk, sing, or read to me so I can learn more. Teach me the names of things like elbows, knees, and toes.

I am learning

  • Please don't worry if I get messy. This is how I learn to feed myself.
  • I like new words. Point to foods and help me name them. Teach me the colors of foods.
  • I like to copy what you do. Let's wash our hands before and after we eat.
  • I can feed myself with a spoon or a fork and will still use my fingers.
baby-girl-eating
baby-spoon-purple

Let's Play

  • Please plan time for me to run around and play at safe playgrounds.
  • I want to kick and throw a ball. I like to do it over and over again so I can do it well.
  • When you play with me, I get stronger and smarter.
  • We'll get to know each other better when we play.

KEEP ME SAFE AND HEALTHY

Look how many teeth I have! Please brush my teeth, front and back, 2 times a day. Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles and a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Take me to the dentist to keep my teeth strong.

Do not share food, spoons, or forks with me. Taking things from your mouth and putting them in mine spreads germs that can give me cavities.

Please help me give up my sippy cup and use a big kid cup instead.

Offer me safe foods

  • Give me foods that are bite-sized and soft enough for me to chew easily. Cut grapes and hot dogs the long way.
  • Don't give me foods that I can choke on: raw hard vegetables, whole grapes, spoonfuls of peanut butter, chips, nuts, popcorn, dried fruits, hot dogs, chunks of meat, or hard candy.

Sun Safety

  • It's better to dress me in sun-protective clothes, like hats, shirts, and swimsuits with UPF 50, instead of relying only on sunscreen. If you don't have special sun clothes, use tightly woven fabrics and a hat with a wide brim.
  • Try to keep me in the shade from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest. You can check the UV index on your phone; if it's 3 or higher, I need full sun protection.
  • Use mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, especially for my sensitive skin. Stick sunscreen is great for my face and ears. Reapply sunscreen every couple of hours and after I swim.
Even on cloudy days, UV rays can still cause burns, so protect me then too. If you have questions about my skin or sunscreen, ask my doctor.

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CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

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
CLUTCH OR “FOOTBALL” HOLD

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 Hold

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