Wyoming WIC

4 TO 4½ YEARS

4-TO-4½-YEARS-EN-QR

I am 4 and want to do more!

I am 4 and want to do more!

I am becoming MORE CONFIDENT.

I like to try new things. You are my teacher. I try to do what you do, so eat a variety of foods, and I will too.

I like to help you in the kitchen. Give me chores I can do. Remember to wash our hands after we handle any foods.

With your help, I will learn
more! Show me how to
measure ingredients.
This helps me learn math.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I EAT?​

As I continue to grow, I continue to learn about new foods. I’m trying new tastes and textures. My foods will change as I learn.

For me, the 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 eating times.

I eat small portions. A serving is about 3-4 tablespoons or a half 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

mixed fruit
ES_4-4half_Breakfast_english-muffin_mixed-fruit
milk in an open cup
English muffin with ham, egg, and cheese
- OR -
hard-boiled egg
sliced strawberries
ES_4-4half_Breakfast_strawberries_egg_pancake-juice
100% fruit juice
pancakes with maple syrup

Lunch

sliced avocado
pasta salad
water in an open cup
cheese quesadilla
- OR -
halved grapes
sweet potato fries
ES_4-4half_Lunch_turkey-burger_grapes_sweet-potato
milk in an open cup
small turkey burger with pickles and ketchup

Snacks

cup up cheese stick
ES_4-4half_Snack_apple-slices_string-cheese
water in an open cup
apple slices
- OR -
sliced cucumbers and carrots with hummus
ES_4-4half_Snack_hummus-cucumber-carrot
milk in an open cup
- OR -
graham crackers
ES_4-4half_Snacks_graham-cracker_blackberries
milk in an open cup
blackberries
- OR -
pita wedges with refried beans
ES_4-4half_Snacks_pitas_wRefried-Beans
water in an open cup

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

Dinner

pudding
blueberries
ES_4-4half_Dinner_curry-blueberries-pudding
milk in an open cup
chicken curry with peas, potatoes, and rice
- OR -
sliced red and yellow peppers
ES_4-4half_Dinner_Soft-taco_baked-apple_red-yellow-peppers
milk in an open cup
baked cinnamon apple slices
soft taco with ground beef, shredded cheese, and lettuce

A serving at my age is about 3-4 tablespoons of a food. Offer 3-5 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

Look what I can do!

I learn a lot from being with you and being active. Let’s be active as a family! We can:

I Can Help You In The Kitchen

Let's Play

Keep me safe and healthy

Take me to my doctor for a checkup. Ask how I am growing. I might need a shot or a lead test.

Remind me to wash my hands before eating and when I help prepare foods. I’m learning about safety and hygiene by helping you in the kitchen.

I need simple rules. Please help me limit my screen time to one hour or less per day. Set limits on when, where, and how often we have screen time. Talk about what I’m learning as we watch together and keep me safe from what I shouldn’t see. Let’s focus on each other during meals and snacks, not a screen.

Buckle me into my car seat or booster seat when we drive.

Put sunscreen on me when I play outside.

Always watch me around water.

Keep me away from tobacco smoke, matches, and lighters.

Stay close when I try foods I can choke on: raw hard vegetables, grapes, nuts, popcorn, dried fruits, hot dogs, and pieces of meat.

Help Me Keep My Teeth Healthy

Sun Safety

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.

Sun Safety

Install this web app on your iPhone: tap ios-share and then Add to Home Screen.

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:

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:

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:

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: