Good nutrition is important for a child’s brain (fat actually protects brain cells)!
Give young babies only breast milk or formula until six months old.
Offer lots of different foods to toddlers to help them learn new tastes.
Skipping meals harms children’s growing brains, so if your family needs help getting enough healthy food, reach out.
Sleep is important for growing brains! Make sure kids get all the sleep they need:
14–17 hours a day
12–15 hours a day
11–14 hours a day
10–13 hours a day
Doctors and nurses are part of baby’s healthy team—and the parents and caregivers are the team captains! Ask health providers any questions as they check for:
How your child’s body (including the brain!) is growing
If she’s been exposed to lead, which can hurt her
How she’s developing
Hearing and vision problems
If he’s getting all the nutrients he needs, especially iron
Babies and children feel stress more than we may think. Stress affects brain connections and can have long-lasting effects. The best way to protect children is to make sure they have a caring adult who lets them feel safe.
If you notice that stress is recurring to a degree that concerns you, seek professional help right away.