Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) — Content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (public domain).
Key points
* Good nutrition is vital for a young child's healthy growth and development.
* There are practical strategies for breastfeeding and for feeding healthy foods and drinks to infants and toddlers.
* These tips can help parents and caregivers give their children a healthy start.
Why it’s important
Good nutrition during the first 2 years of life is vital for healthy growth and development. Starting good nutrition practices early can help children develop healthy dietary patterns.
Resource
Food Assistance. If you need help obtaining nutritious food, see resources at USDA Nutrition Assistance Program. Under “Nutrition Assistance,” you will find resources such as meal sites, food banks, and other social services.
Resources
Breastfeeding
****Breast milk is a great source of nutrition for your baby. Learn more:
* [Breastfeeding Facts](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/index.html>)
* [What to Expect While Breastfeeding](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/what-to-expect-while-breastfeeding.html>)
* [Newborn Breastfeeding Basics](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/newborn-basics.html>)
* [How Much and How Often to Breastfeed](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/how-much-and-how-often.html>)
* [Pumping Breast Milk](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/pumping-breast-milk.html>)
* [Travel Recommendations for Nursing Mothers](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/travel-recommendations.html>)
* [Breastfeeding and Returning to Your Workplace](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/returning-to-your-workplace.html>)
* [Weaning](</infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/weaning.html>)
**Tips for Infant Formula Feeding
** Learn about choosing an infant formula, preparing and storing infant formula, and how much and how often to feed.
Feeding From a Bottle
Feed your baby breast milk or infant formula from a bottle. Learn how to clean supplies and more.
Foods & Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds
Introduce children to foods and drinks other than breast milk and infant formula when they are about 6 months old.
Tips for Mealtime Routines
Learn how to tell when your child is hungry or full, about mealtime routines and tips, and more.
Vitamins & Minerals
Give certain vitamins and minerals to help your child grow healthy and strong.
Helpful Resources
Explore other websites that have information on nutrition, breastfeeding, mealtime, and more.
FAQs
Have more questions about feeding your infant or toddler? Visit our FAQ page.