Toddler Tip of the Day

Let your child explore food by touching, and expect some mess.
From: Better Health Channel

Toddlers, who are being introduced to table food and to eating utensils, will make a mess; prepare for it and consider what you use as a floor covering.
From: Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project

Food for the first year is not important nutritionally because they are drinking breastmilk and/or formula. The first year is really just an introduction to food, and letting them get acclimated to eating solids.From: A Child grows in brooklyn.com

Be a food role model by eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet.From: Better Health Channel

Toddlers rarely follow a traditional meal pattern. They tend to need small and regular snacks. This suits small tummy sizes and provides the energy to keep moving all day. The amount eaten at mealtimes, in particular the evening meal, may be smaller than parents would like. However, children can balance the amount of food eaten with exactly how much they need if they are not forced to overeat or finish all the food on the plate.

From: Better Health Channel

Eye contact and calm, soft interactions while feeding aid in digestion as well as in establishing trusting relationships with caregivers.

From: Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project

We bought a Tupperware container that stayed in the car unless and until we were planning to eat in a restaurant with our toddler. In it were always crayons, markers, paper, and tape.

From: GrasshopperNewMedia.com

Do not place hot fluids on tablecloths in case the child pulls on the tablecloth.
From: ParentingToddlers.com

After mealtime while your child is still in the high chair - give them a warm washcloth to play with and you’ll be amazed at how much they will have cleaned themselves up after about 10 minutes of playing with it!
From: MomsOnTheMove.com

If your child is unable or unwilling to tip up a sip cup try a reusable straw drink container. Small children tend to suck more readily than tip up a cup and this will encourage less bottle use!
From: MomsOnTheMove.com