Diet:
- Nonfat or 1% milk is recommended at this age. Your child should get about 16-24 ounces (2-3 cups) of milk per day.
- Children are often picky eaters at this age. This is usually normal, and is due to normal slowing of their growth rate and their increasing independence.
- Children should be off the bottle by this point.
- Juice is optional. Your baby does not need juice. If you give juice, give no more than 4 ounces a day. Give juice only in the cup, not the bottle. Give juice only once a day.
- All children should take a daily multivitamin.
Car Seat:
- Your child should always ride in a car seat in the back seat of the car.
Safety:
- Continue home childproofing: electrical outlet covers, poison prevention, choking prevention, drowning prevention.
- Gun safety: It is SAFEST not to have guns in the home with children.
- If guns are in the home, they should be locked up, unloaded, and the ammunition kept separately.
Development:
- Normal development for babies between 2 and 3 years of age:
- Puts words together into short sentences
- Walks and runs well, goes up and down stairs, throws overhand
- Toilet training
- Knows name
Guidance:
- Language development: Read to your child everyday. Talk a lot with your child.
- Limit TV time to no more than 2 hours per day.
- Brush your child’s teeth twice per day. Use fluoride toothpaste (a small dab the size of a pea).
- Regular dental checkups every 6 months are recommended.
- Protect your child from the sun. Use sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, with UVA and UVB protection.
Flu Vaccine:
- Flu vaccines are available every fall for all children 6 months and older
- The first year that young children get the flu vaccine, they need two doses given at least one month apart to be protected.
Next Checkup: In 1 year when your child is 3 years old
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