Wyoming WIC

1½ TO 2 YEARS

1.5-2-Years-Old-english-QR-code

I AM GROWING AND LEARNING.

Trust me to TRY NEW FOODS when I’m ready. I will learn by watching you and I will try new foods when I’m ready. It helps me if you can learn to trust me.

WHAT

  • Offer me several different foods. If we are eating a new food offer a familiar food at the table. Let me use my spoon, fingers, or both. I learn by smelling, tasting, and touching food. If I don’t like a new food right away, that’s ok! Offer it again at another time. It might take 10 or more times before I decide to try it. Please don’t cheer, encourage, or pressure me to eat. Trust me to eat my way whether fast or slow, more or less.

WHEN

  • Routines are good for me. Let’s eat at about the same time every day. My stomach is still small, and it’s smaller than yours, so I get hungry more often, about every 2 or 3 hours. I do best with 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks. Offer me mostly water to drink between meals and snacks.

WHERE

  • Eat with me at the table. Learning new things can be scary. I feel safe with you and will learn with your support and trusting me to eat. I enjoy meal time conversation.

TRUST ME to DECIDE WHAT AND HOW MUCH TO EAT FROM WHAT YOU OFFER.

PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME EAT MORE OR LESS THAN I WANT.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I EAT?

During my second year of life, less of my nutrition is still coming from breast milk or formula and more 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. So, 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. My tummy is small, so I need snacks between meals to give me energy and to grow.

Create a satisfying meal or snack by offering 3-5 foods at meals and 1-2 foods at snack time. 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

cubed potatoes with diced red and green peppers
mini muffin
fried egg
breastmilk or whole milk in an open cup
- OR -
french toast sticks with maple syrup
fruit smoothie
hard-boiled egg wedges

Lunch

pudding
watermelon
green beans
mac n’ cheese
water in an open cup
- OR -
pinwheel burrito
pita triangles
sliced cantaloupe
hummus
breastmilk or whole milk in an open cup

Snacks

peanut butter on banana slices
breastmilk or whole milk in an open cup
- OR -
crackers with cheese
water in an open cup
- OR -
graham crackers
breastmilk or whole milk in an open cup
- OR -
blueberry muffin with butter
breastmilk or whole 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

applesauce
cooked, cut up broccoli
tortilla slices
mashed pinto beans
breastmilk or whole milk in an open cup
- OR -
diced strawberries
mashed peas
pasta with butter
chopped chicken
breastmilk or whole milk in an open cup
A serving is approximately 1-3 tablespoons of a food. Offer 3 to 4 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.

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

  • Let's enjoy eating together.
  • Please turn off all our TVs and cell phones; it helps us relax and focus on our meal.
  • Put me in my highchair or booster seat, support my feet, and sit at the table with me.
  • I'm learning to eat and develop lifelong positive eating habits by eating with you.
  • I am learning to eat by myself. I need lots of practice using my hands and my spoon. Let me touch my food. Don't worry if I get messy – that's how I learn.

I Do Best with Meal and Snack Routines

  • Offer me 4-5 different foods at meals and 1-2 foods at snack time. Variety makes my meals more satisfying and gives me a chance to try new foods.
  • Offer me breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 to 3 snacks a day.
  • I like to eat my meals and snacks at about the same time every day. If I wait too long I get tired and cranky. This makes it hard for me to eat and enjoy mealtime.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!​

  • I understand a lot of what you say. Read, talk, and sing to me so I can learn more!
  • I like to copy what you do. Let me play with a bowl and spoon. I will pretend to stir food just like you do.
  • I am still learning how to use a spoon and cup. Please be patient with my mess.
  • I can use my hands to stack blocks, throw a ball, and push and pull toys. Play with me!

I can help:

  • I like to go with you to the grocery store or farmers' market and look at all the foods.
  • Please teach me the names and colors of foods.

Let's Play

  • Playing is my job for now. I will play anywhere.
  • Chase me! Chase me, but keep me safe. Hug me when you catch me.
  • Please watch me when I play. I will need your hand when I jump and climb.
  • I love to play every day. Let's dance, play follow-the-leader, play hide-and-seek, roll a ball, take a walk, or climb the stairs.

Keep me safe and healthy

I love to run, jump, and climb. Watch me when I’m active so I don’t get hurt.

I like to explore. I open doors and drawers to see what’s inside. Let me learn, but keep me safe.

Please DON’T give me foods I could choke on like whole nuts, whole grapes, seeds, hot dogs, or hard candies.

Take me to my doctor for my checkup at 18 months. Ask the doctor about vitamin D.

I need a nap every day. I learn to fall asleep when you lie me down when I’m tired but not so tired I’m already asleep. This is another way for you to learn my cues and trust me to fall asleep.

Please help me take care of my teeth. Brush my teeth, front and back, 2 times a day. Use a small, soft toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste. If I haven’t seen the dentist yet, make my first appointment.

Be with me during screen time and interact with me. Remember, to schedule plenty of non-screen time into my day.

Always buckle me into my car safety seat when we are in the car.

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

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