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2½ TO 3 YEARS

  • Home
  • Children
  • 2-5 Year Olds
  • 2.5 – 3 Years Old
  • Introduction
  • How much should I eat?
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Dinner
  • Food Groups
  • Family Meals
  • Let's Stay on Schedule
  • Look what I can do!
  • Let's Play
  • Keep Me Safe and Healthy
2.5-3-Years-Old-English-QR-code

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 feed myself. Help me learn to serve myself by holding the bowls or having small portions I can pick up.
  • Talk with me at the table.
  • 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 limited 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.

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 2-3 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

chopped peaches
mini pancakes with maple syrup
100% fruit juice
yogurt
- OR -
orange slices
milk in an open cup
ham, cheese, and red pepper omelet

Lunch

blueberries
cooked, chopped carrots
water in an open cup
cheese quesadilla
baked, chopped chicken
- OR -
sliced cucumber
grilled cheese and tuna fish sandwich
milk in an open cup
mixed fruit

Snacks

cold breakfast cereal with milk
water in an open cup
sliced strawberries
- OR -
crackers with cheese
water in an open cup
- OR -
graham crackers
milk in an open cup
pineapple tidbits
- OR -
applesauce
blueberry muffin with butter
milk 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

cooked, zucchini slices
cut up melon
milk in an open cup
brown rice with black beans
- OR -
cut up spaghetti with tomato and meat sauce and mozzarella cheese
mini breadstick
milk in an open cup
green beans
brownie

A serving at my age is about 2-3 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.
GRAINS
VEGETABLES
FRUITS
MILK & DAIRY
PROTEINS
DESSERTS
FATS & SAUCES
COMBINATION FOODS
GRAINS

Cereal

group grain cereal

group grain pasta

Pasta

Tortilla

group grain tortilla

group grain rice

Rice

Bread

group grain bread

group grain crackers

Crackers

Bite-sized pieces.

Examples: whole grain bread, white bread, tortillas, rice, noodles, cereals, crackers, pancakes, French toast, muffins, bagels, dry or cooked cereal.

Offer a variety throughout the week based on culture, family traditions, and budget.

VEGETABLES

Green beans

vegetables green beans

vegetables carrots

Carrots

Beets

vegetables beets

vegetables broccoli

Broccoli

Sweet Potato

vegetables Sweet Potato

Cauliflower vegetables

Cauliflower

Bell peppers

Bell peppers vegetable

Cooked and mashed, sliced, or chopped veggies.

Examples: beets slices, broccoli, cauliflower, yams, potatoes, carrots, green beans.

Offer a variety throughout the week based on culture, family traditions, and budget.

FRUITS

Kiwi

Kiwi fruit

Plum fruit

Plum

Nectarine

Nectarine fruit

Blueberries fruit

Blueberries

Apples

Apples fruit

Watermelon fruit

Watermelon

Avocado

Avocado fruit

Mashed, sliced, chopped, canned, or soft fresh fruit.

Examples: applesauce, apple wedges, bigger chunks of banana, pear slices, canned peaches, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew.

Offer a variety throughout the week based on culture, family traditions, and budget.

MILK & DAIRY

Breastmilk

Breastmilk dairy food

Yogurt dairy food

Yogurt

Sliced Cheese

Sliced Cheese dairy food

Milk dairy food

Milk

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese dairy food

String cheese dairy food

String cheese

Examples: whole milk, or low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese.

Offer a variety throughout the week based on culture, family traditions, and budget.

PROTEINS

Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter for protein

Tuna for protein

Tuna

Beans

Beans for protein

Eggs for protein

Eggs

Tofu

Tofu for protein

Beef for protein

Beef

Chicken

Chicken for protein

Examples: soft cooked pieces, mashed beans or peas, eggs, peanut butter, cut up hamburger, tofu, and cooked, chopped meat, poultry, or fish.

Offer a variety throughout the week based on culture, family traditions, and budget.

DESSERTS

Cupcake

Cupcake dessert

Pudding dessert

Pudding

Cookie

Cookie dessert

Ice Cream dessert

Ice Cream

Brownie

Brownie dessert

Offer 1 serving of dessert at the same time as the rest of the meal and allow your child to pick when to eat it at the beginning, middle, or end of the meal.

Offer cookies and other desserts as a snack on occasion. You can offer it with milk if you want.

Offer a variety throughout the week based on culture, family traditions, and budget.

FATS & SAUCES

Butter

Butter fat food

Cream cheese fat food
Cream cheese

Ranch dressing

Ranch dressing fat food

Gravy fat food Gravy

Children need some fat to grow, provide energy, and make food taste good.

Examples: butter, sour cream, cream cheese, ranch dressing, other sauces, gravy.

COMBINATION FOODS

Quesadilla with guacamole

combination meal Quesadilla with guacamole

combination meal Pizza

Pizza

Mac n’ Cheese

combination meal Mac n Cheese

combination meal Lasagna

Lasagna

Burrito

combination meal Burrito

combination meal Sandwich

Sandwich

Some foods are a combination of food groups and make for a tasty meal.

Examples: pizza, casseroles, soup, mac n’ cheese, spaghetti, lasagna, burritos, quesadillas, soft tacos, hamburgers.

Family Meals

  • I learn by spending time with you at the table for meals and snacks, so please make time to eat with me. Turn off the TVs and put the cell phones down while we eat. I like it when you talk to me during meals.
  • I need to sit while I eat and drink so I don't choke. Put me in my highchair or booster seat at the table with our family. I can eat most foods you do. Make sure my feet are supported. I want to be just like you!
  • Sometimes I like eating with my fingers. I like using my spoon and fork, too. I may still be messy when I eat. This is how I learn to feed myself.
  • Let's both wash our hands before and after we eat.

Let's Stay on Schedule

  • I am starting to learn how to wait for things. Following a routine helps me to learn when to expect things like meal or sleep time. When I get too hungry or tired, I might throw a tantrum.
  • Help me by offering me 3 meals and 2 or 3 snacks every day at about the same time.
  • When we are away from home, please take a snack for me.
  • Find a quiet place for my nap. Read my favorite book until I fall asleep.

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.
  • Watch out! I can reach the stove. Turn pot handles to the back.

I want to help

I want to please you. Here are ways I can help. Please say you are proud of me.

  • I can put foods in the basket when we shop.
  • I might not be neat, but I am doing my best. Sometimes I drop things because my fingers are still small.
  • When I help you, I feel good.

Let's Play

  • I run, jump, and climb. Let's plan to go to the park and play. Let's walk to the library to read a book.
  • If we get off schedule, remind me that we will be eating soon but make sure to have a plan for us to eat.
  • I might like to play pretend cooking, eating, shopping, and making food – to be just like you.

Keep me safe and healthy

Help me take care of my teeth. 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. Start to floss my teeth for me. Take me to the dentist to keep my teeth strong.

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.

Sharing food from your utensils spreads germs that can give me cavities; I learn by using my own utensils.

I’m still learning to use a cup to drink with. Give me water when I ask for a drink.

At my checkup with the doctor, ask if I need a lead test.

Watch me in the tub or near water.

Keep cords up so I can’t pull on them.

Lock up cleaners, sprays, and medicines.

Buckle me into a child safety seat.

Keep me away from smoke, matches, lighters, and vaping tools. I can be poisoned by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing e-cigarette liquid through my skin or eyes.

If you own a gun, please keep it locked in a safe place.

Keep my screen time to an hour a day.

Wyoming WIC WDH Public Health

CONTACT US

1-888-996-9378
health.wyo.gov/wic
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SIDE-LYING HOLD

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 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