My SD Moms 
Eating
•Make meals a family time. Talk with your family at mealtime with the TV off.
• Avoid foods that may cause choking (whole hot dogs, nuts, chunks of meat, cheese, peanut butter, whole grapes, hard or sticky candy, popcorn, or raw vegetables).
• Juice is not recommended. If you do give your child juice, limit it to no more than 4 to 6 ounces in a day, served in a cup, not a bottle. Make sure the label says “100% whole fruit juice.” Do not give your child soda or other sweet drinks.
• Offer your child a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Serve nutritious foods. Even if your child doesn’t seem to like them at first, keep trying!
• Do not bribe your child using food as the reward.
Healthy habits
• Help your child brush his or her teeth every day using a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste (with fluoride).
• Limit screen time (TV, computers, and video games) to 1 – 2 hours a day. Check TV programs to be sure there is no violence or sex.
• Don’t smoke! Smoking around your child increases the child’s risk for ear infections, asthma, colds, and pneumonia. Talk with your doctor or contact your local Health Education Department if you would like to quit smoking
Safety
• Use the car seat for every ride. Continue to use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for every ride. Make sure the seat is properly installed in the back seat. Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the highest height or weight limit allowed by the seat’s manufacturer.
• Prevent poisoning. Keep cleaning products and medicines out of your child’s reach in locked cabinets. Make a note of the Poison Control Center number: 1-800-876-4766.
• Prevent falls. Put locks or guards on all windows that are above the first floor.
• Prevent drowning. Keep a close watch on your child at all times when he or she is near any kind of water.
• Reduce the risk of lead poisoning. Tell your doctor if your child spends a lot of time in a house built before 1978 that has chipped or peeling paint or that has been recently renovated.
• Pet safety. Never leave your child unattended with any animal, even family pets. Always closely supervise play with pets. At this age kids are naturally curious and get excited easily. Teach your child to pet gently and wash hands (yours and your child’s) after playing or cleaning up after pets. Parenting
• Read stories to your child every day. One way children learn to read is by hearing the same story over and over.
• Play games, talk, and sing to your child every day. Show affection.
• Assign simple chores.
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