Early life diet and feeding behaviors play an important role in establishing healthy food preferences and behaviors and are crucial for preventing childhood overweight and obesity. Early Care and Education (ECE) providers are key players in the implementation of feeding and dietary guidelines targeting infants and toddlers. This issue brief provides guidance for ECE providers on what and how to feed infants and toddlers ages 2 or younger. It is based on a full report of guidelines developed by an expert panel convened by Healthy Eating Research, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The brief also highlights related behaviors such as physical activity, screen time, and sleep, as well as important considerations including food allergies and food safety for this age group.
Published: May 2017
ID #: 1095
Publisher: Healthy Eating Research
Authors: Sigman-Grant M, Pérez-Escamilla R, Segura-Pérez S, Lott M
Race/Ethnicity: African American or Black, American Indian, Asian, Latino(a) or Hispanic, Multi-racial/ethnic, White
Keywords: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Child Care/Preschool, Fruits and vegetables, Home, Infant Feeding, Media, Physical activity, Snacks
Focus Area: Early Childhood
Age Group: Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2)
Resource Type: Research Brief
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