Healthy
from the Start
How feeding nurtures your young child’s
body, heart and mind
Here are some ways to tines help children look before he will eat it.
help your child become forward to each meal.
a healthy eater: 6. Turn off the TV (com-
puters, etc) at mealtime.
1. Remember: Meals are Healthy The television
about more than food. can distract
They are a time to con- eating and children from
nect with your child and
exercise eating. It also takes time
F eeding is one of a
parent’s most impor-
tant jobs. It is how we
to support her overall
development. Talk with
your child during meals
go hand in
away from talking as a
family.
help our children grow and don’t let her eat hand. 7. Healthy eating and
healthy and strong. alone. This helps build exercise go hand in
But mealtimes are strong family relation- hand. So make active
about much more than ships. 3. Offer 3 to 4 healthy play a part of everyday
food. Meal and snack food choices (that your family life.
times give you a chance 2. Create routines child likes) at each meal.
to help your baby or around mealtime. Research shows that
toddler: Routines make children children will choose a
• Learn healthy eating feel loved and secure. healthy diet when they
habits Establish regular meal are offered a selection of
• Feel important and and snack times begin- different healthy foods.
loved ning when your child is
• Feel understood and 9-12 months old. Rou- 4. Don’t force your baby
respected or toddler to eat. This
• Trust that others will often results in children
care for her refusing the food and 8. If you are concerned
• Feel good about her eating less. about your child’s weight
body or activity level, talk to
5. Don’t give up on new your child’s health care
foods! Patience is the provider. To learn more
To see full booklet on
key. You may have to about feeding and young
feeding, go to
offer your child a new children, visit www.
www.zerotothree.org
food 10 or 15 times zerotothree.org.
Published by:
Generously supported by Endorsed by:
MetLife Foundation
®
www.zerotothree.org