Feeding Your Baby

Woman and child driving in a car.

Feeding your baby is one of the first things you do as a parent. It is also one of the ways that you develop a relationship with this new family member. When feeding goes well, everyone in the family is happier. This 3-page publication can help you develop a close feeding relationship with your baby. The skills you learn will also help you and your child avoid conflicts over food during the toddler and preschool years. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Nicole Owens Duffy, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised March 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he964

Raising Healthy Children: Promoting a Positive Feeding Experience

Figure 1. If you ask your child if he or she would like to try a new fruit or healthy snack, it could help spark your child’s interest in eating healthier foods.All parents have heard “I don’t like that!” or “I’m not hungry!” from their child at some point or another. It’s likely that your child will not like every food that is served, but that doesn’t mean mealtime can’t still be a pleasant experience for the family. Parents may think they have sole responsibility for their child’s food choices, but Ellyn Satter, a registered dietitian who specializes in feeding and eating, advises that young children also have responsibility in the eating process. If feeding your child is stressful, read this fact sheet to learn about the division of responsibility in feeding and how to make meal times more enjoyable for the whole family. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Tiffany N. Stodtko, Karla P. Shelnutt, and Gail P.A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, December 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1397

Infant Botulism and Honey (ENY128/AA142)

bottle of honeySince honey is a potential and avoidable source of Clostridium botulinum spores, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatricsm and the National Honey Board recommend that honey not be given to infants younger than 12 months of age. Honey should not be added to water, food, or formula fed to infants under 12 months of age. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Malcolm T. Sanford, Eddie Atkinson, Jeanette Klopchin, and Jamie Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa142

Bottle-Feeding Your Baby (FCS80026/FY1359)

man holds baby with bottleFamilies choose to bottle-feed their babies for many reasons. While bottle-feeding is not difficult, you need to know several things to feed your baby safely and ensure that he or she receives the nutrition and bonding needed for proper growth and development. If you are considering bottle-feeding your baby or have decided that bottle-feeding is the best option for your situation, this publication will help you learn about bottle-feeding. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Sarah A. Schmidt, Karla P. Shelnutt, and Gail P. A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1359

Snack Attacks: Be Prepared (FCS8865/FY1020)

Figure 2. Keep fruit or vegetables cut up and in a sealed container in the refrigerator so that your kids will have a healthy and easy snack available after school.Children may feel hungry or have a “snack attack” right after school each day. Plan ahead and have ready-to-eat healthful foods available for children to enjoy. Use the MyPlate food groups as a guide to prepare snacks that will help children meet their nutritional needs. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Glenda L. Warren and Jennifer Walsh, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1020

Feeding Your Preschooler: Helping in the Kitchen (FCS8992/FY1259)

Figure 1. A chef in action.Encouraging your child to help in the kitchen is a great way to get them more interested in the food they eat and in trying new foods. Helping out in the kitchen also allows your preschooler to learn lifelong skills. This 2-page fact sheet suggests ways to get your preschooler helping in the kitchen as well as the benefits of working side-by-side to prepare family meals and snacks. Written by Ashley R. Kendall, Karla P. Shelnutt, and Gail P. A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1259

ENY128/AA142 Infant Botulism and Honey

Revised! ENY128, a 2-page fact sheet by Malcolm T. Sanford, Eddie Atkinson and Jamie Ellis, prepares beekeepers to answer questions responsibly about honey as a potential source of C. botulinum spores, which can cause botulism in infants under 12 months of age. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AA142

FCS8865/FY1020 Snack Attacks: Be Prepared

FCS-8865, a 2-page fact sheet by Glenda L. Warren, recommends ways to keep ready-to-eat snacks from the Fruit Group on hand to help children get the best nutrition. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, December 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1020

FCS8865/FY1021 MyPyramid Ways to Fruits and Vegetables for Your Child

FCS-8865, a 2-page fact sheet by Glenda L. Warren, provides pointers for parents to involve children in shopping for and preparing fruits and vegetables, serve foods in appealing ways, and help children get the best nutrition. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, December 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1021

FCS-8670/FY1060 Family Nutrition: A RECIPE for Good Communication

FCS-8670, a 5-page fact sheet by Larry Forthun and Matthew Kaplan, uses the “RECIPE” acronym to describe the ingredients for good communication about nutrition in the family: reflective listening, encouragement, compromise and cooperation, “I” messages, practice, and engagement. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, August 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1060

FCS-8871/FY1061 Family Nutrition: The Truth About Family Meals

FCS-8871, a 4-page fact sheet by Larry Forthun, summarizes recent research indicating the importance about family meals, including trends over the last several decades, effects on family togetherness, communication, well-being, and nutrition. Also discussed are family eating practices to avoid, and strategies for getting the whole family together for dinner. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, September 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1061

FCS-8869/FY1059 Family Nutrition: Parenting and Family Life

FCS-8869, a 6-page fact sheet by Larry Forthun, looks at three ways family can influence a child’s weight status: parental feeding practices and behavior, parenting style, and overall family functioning, and provides recommendations for improving family health and nutrition. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, August 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1059

FCS2286/FY1054 The Importance of Family Dinners

FCS-2286, a 2-page fact sheet by Jodimae Lyttle and Eboni J. Baugh, takes a close look at some family “dinner dynamics” sharing research demonstrating the benefits that eating together can provide family members. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, August 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1054