Table 1 Example of WEE Baby Care RP messages delivered by WIC nutritionists and pediatricians
Feeding your baby | Soothing your baby | Your baby’s sleep | Playing with your baby |
|---|---|---|---|
Breastmilk, formula, other beverages (water, cow’s milk, juice guidance) | Baby’s temperament | Amount of sleep needed (day and night) | Play is essential for development; fun activities and games to play with baby to support motor and social skills |
Bottle feeding, including what not to put in bottle (cereal, juice) | Reasons for crying (not only hunger); | Sleep safety/SIDS prevention | Tummy time tips |
Hunger and fullness cues | Expectation for amount of daily crying | Bedtime before 8:30 pm | Limiting time in restrictive baby gear (car seats, carriers, strollers, swings, etc.) |
When and how to introduce solids, including what not to serve | Methods for soothing baby: swaddling, holding on side or belly, rocking or swaying, shushing, giving a pacifier | Bedtime and naptime routines (don’t make feeding last step) | Spend time outdoors |
Shared responsibility of feeding | Putting baby down drowsy but awake; avoid feeding or rocking to sleep | Limiting screen time | |
Repeated exposure to foods | No television at bedtime/no TV where baby is sleeping | Modeling – reducing own screen time and connecting with baby | |
Avoid controlling feeding practices (pressure, restriction) | What to do when baby wakes at night; responding differently day vs. night | ||
Self-feeding (cup, finger foods) | Sleep disruptions during developmental milestones |