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Adult reading to a curious baby, colorful book

Books to Encourage Healthy Eating for Your Toddler

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  • Books to Encourage Healthy Eating for Your Toddler
September 20, 2023 Children
Father reading a book with his daughter

A visit to your local library can be a fun, healthy, and educational way to get your toddler excited about trying healthy foods. There are many children’s books that can encourage healthy food habits. Below are a few examples:

I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato

by Lauren Child
(©2000, Candlewick Press)

Lola is a fussy eater until her big brother, Charlie makes up inventive names for vegetables and other foods.

Two cartoon children stare at a large tomato
Vegetables surrounding book titled Rah, Rah, Radishes!
Colorful fruits and title of childrens book
Colorful cookbook cover featuring various seeds and nuts

Books by April Pulley Sayre are written in rhyme, with vivid colored photos that will delight both kids and parents.

Rah, Rah Radishes!
(©2011, Beach Lane Books)

Go, Go, Grapes!
(©2012, Beach Lane Books)

Let’s go Nuts! Seeds we Eat
(©2013, Beach Lane Books)

Handa’s Surprise​

by Eileen Browne
(©1999, Candlewick Press)​

This is a delightful tale of a young Kenyan girl on her way to visit her friend in a nearby village. On the way, seven different animals eat the seven varieties of fruit on her head. Children love seeing the beautiful and colorful illustrations and delight in the surprise twist at the end of the story.

Colorful book cover depicting girl carrying fruit basket
Vegetable face with diverse healthy foods around it

Healthy Foods from A to Z:
Comida sana de la A a la Z.

by Stephanie Maze and Renee Cornet
(©2012, Moonstone Press)

This bilingual picture book features fabulous color photos of faces made from fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and beans. It also has fun food activities to do
at home.

If you can’t make it to the library, there are a number of resources online too! Discover MyPlate has mini eBooks available to download for free:
https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/discover-myplate-emergent-reader-mini-books.

Abstract blue wavy pattern with overlapping lines

Reading books like these with your child shows them that choosing healthy foods is important and can also be a lot of fun. When you make healthy eating a priority, your child will too!

Smiling carrot character promotes healthy eating initiative

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    Cartoon vegetables with leafy tops gather playfully together.

    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
    Yellow circle with abstract, jagged shapes and patterns.

    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
    Cat playing with butterfly in a garden.

    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
    Peach circle with abstract shapes radiating outward.

    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
    Smiling peach character waving cheerful hello.

    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