Toddlers (1-3 years)

Pēpi (babies) and tamariki (children) can choke on food at any age but those under 5 are at higher risk, and especially tamariki and pēpi under 3. Watch a video about ways to reduce the choking risk.

Plan for 3 meals and 1 or 2 snacks each day, once your baby’s eating a variety of foods and textures. Pēpi (babies) have small stomachs so need frequent opportunities to eat small amounts.

Help your baby learn about food by letting them play with it. Encourage their independence – give your baby their own spoon to hold when they can.

Be guided by your baby's appetite. Offer your baby new foods. Let them choose how much to eat - you decide what food is offered, your baby decides how much to eat.

It takes a little work to bring everyone together for meals. But it's worth it and the whole whānau (family) eats better.

Your baby learns about food from watching you. Your baby learns about food from watching you. Be a good role model. You can set a good example by eating a variety of healthy foods.

Around 6 months, your baby starts to need the extra vitamins and minerals (especially iron and zinc) that are in solid foods. Iron is especially important for your baby to keep blood and brain cells healthy.

Prepare a week of baby meat and vegetables and freeze in individual containers (such as ice cube trays). Do some tasks the day before. Check out some other time saving tips.

A great way to stock up on baby food - cook a large amount and freeze portions. Once your baby's eating foods with more texture, you could put any healthy leftovers from the family meal into a blender and blend to a lumpy pulp.

Your baby is learning about food and developing eating habits from the time they start solids. There are lots of things you can do to help your baby learn healthy eating habits right from the start.

Your child's hearing and vision will be discussed with you at various Well Child checks before your child turns 4 years of age. If your child does have a hearing or vision problem, finding it early is good for their learning and development.

Bronchiolitis is a chest condition that causes breathing problems in pēpi (babies). It's caused by a virus. Bronchiolitis is very easy to catch so wash your hands before and after handling your baby.

Show your child that you are interested in what they say, not how they say it. Help your child learn how to say tricky sounds by repeating them correctly as naturally as possible.

It is normal for pēpi (babies) to cry, and it's normal for caregivers to get frustrated. Have a plan for what you will do if your baby keeps crying and you become upset or frustrated. It is never ever OK to shake a baby. Make sure that all the people who care for your baby know this. Never leave your baby alone with anyone that you think might lose control.