How do I get other people on board with my parenting goals?

We hear a lot from parents who are working hard to make healthy choices for their babies. Many parents find they need to get other people — like grandma and childcare providers — on board with these choices. You don’t have to do it all alone!

Remember: You are not being annoying or pushy when you tell people what you want for your baby — you are the parent!

Get your family on your team.

It can be frustrating if your friends or family members are feeding your baby unhealthy foods. It can be difficult to speak up — but you’ve got your baby’s health in mind! Try saying something like “I'm trying to limit the amount of sugar and juice that Ana is having. Breast milk or formula is best." If you want help thinking about what to say or how to say it, practice with your child’s doctor.

Remember: A baby can’t have too much love, but a baby can have too much food!  

Let teachers and childcare workers help you.

If your baby is in childcare, talk to the teachers so they know what foods you want your baby to eat. Different families have different rules, and teachers are used to balancing these. But don’t worry if you have to have some conversations more than once.

Why is it important to have a routine for my baby?

"With multiple children, homework, sport games, and a new baby, it's really difficult to keep the same routine every day."

Parents are busy people. And if the idea of setting a routine feels out of reach at first, you are not alone. But it may help to know that, with some effort, routines can help you and your baby in lots of ways. For example, what do eating and sleeping routines have in common? They can both help your baby stay at a healthy weight as he grows up!

So even though it can be a challenge, starting a routine can help you and your baby stay healthy and happy. Routines help you prepare for mealtime and help your baby be a better sleeper — which helps the whole family!

Babies need plenty of sleep to grow up healthy.

Did you know that babies who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight or obese as children? 

Most babies settle into a routine of 2 to 3 naps per day.

Remember: Just like everything else, routines don’t have to be perfect. But babies and young kids — just like grown-ups — do better when they know what to expect.

Talk to your child’s doctor about your successes, questions, and concerns about parenting at each well-child visit. You and your child’s pediatrician are partners in helping your child develop healthy habits.

Being prepared for well-child visits can help make the most of your time together. Write down a list of questions for the doctor and take it with you — leave space to write down the doctor’s answers.

Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions. If you have a question, chances are another parent has asked that same question before!