5 Tips for Raising Healthy Kids at Every Age

As a new parent, you’re learning something new about your baby every day. You’re also making big decisions about their well-being on a daily basis. Figuring out how to plan an appropriate diet for your child as their needs change can be challenging, but with a little guidance, you can ensure that your child learns healthy eating routines.

Resources like Babies’ First Food are indispensable when you’re learning about nutrition for your new addition! Plus, here’s how to illustrate a positive example for your kids, introduce solids, support your toddler when they’re picky and more.

Set a Positive Example

No matter how old your children are, it’s important to serve as a role model for them when it comes to healthy habits. Demonstrate that you’re willing to try new foods, make sure to stock your plate with vegetables, and avoid making negative comments about your own weight. 

You can also act as a role model in other areas of life! For instance, you can set goals regarding your career or education. If you want to earn your bachelor’s degree but you don’t have time to attend classes at a physical campus, you may consider this – you can enroll in an online program instead.

Deciding How to Feed Your Newborn

Maybe you’re struggling with breastfeeding your newborn, and you’re not sure whether you should continue trying or switch to formula. It’s best to consult with your doctor to decide what would suit you best. Remember, as long as your baby is fed; they will be happy and healthy either way – neither choice is better than the other.

Introducing Solids to Your Baby

Baby Center states that parents can typically introduce solid foods into their babies’ diets between four to six months. You can start giving your baby tastes of solid foods like mashed bananas or avocados, pureed butternut squash, peaches, or pears, and even special cereals for babies. If you have questions about offering your baby any specific foods, reach out to your pediatrician. Your baby will let you know what they like and what they don’t like!

Expanding Your Toddler’s Palette

Sometimes, the baby who happily eats everything placed in front of them turns into a toddler with picky eating habits. This does not mean that you’ve done anything wrong as a parent! Lots of kids go through this phase. To help your toddler get comfortable trying new foods, Kids Eat in Color recommends encouraging them to try just one bite of a dish – that way; they don’t feel pressure to eat a whole large portion.

Teaching Your Child Basic Cooking Skills

As your child gets older and heads off to school, you can start teaching them simple cooking skills that will serve them well for life! Baketivity states that you can walk your school-age child through tasks like using plastic knives, cleaning up their cooking areas, washing fruits and vegetables, and properly stirring ingredients in a bowl. You can also show your child how to assemble and pack their own lunches for school, like making sandwiches and putting them in their lunchbox the night before. This will save time for you during busy weeks.

Parenthood is a learning journey, and over time, you’ll find ways to ensure your child eats a nutritious diet that suits their tastes. Their habits and preferences will naturally change as they get older. With these tips, you’ll be ready to make dietary choices that work best for your family and create a positive example that you would be proud of for your child to follow.

Curious about when you can give your baby certain foods? Turn to Babies’ First Food! Browse my blog today to figure out when it’s appropriate to give your baby specific foods.