Nutrition and Lactation

At CHOC, we understand the importance of proper nutrition and lactation for infants and children. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing the highest quality care and support for families in need of guidance and education on these topics. From breastfeeding support to specialized diets for medical conditions, we offer a range of services to ensure that every child receives the nutrients they need to thrive.

Learn more about Nutrition and Lactation at choc.org

Nutrition and Lactation Resources from CHOC

A woman with brown hair breastfeeds her baby

ARTICLE

Can I take medications while breastfeeding?

Girl with glasses holding watermelon rind to her face like a smile

ARTICLE

What is intuitive eating?

child sleeping in a bed with planets and stars decorating the walls

ARTICLE

How nutrition affects kids’ sleep

young students eating lunch at a big table

ARTICLE

Free school meal programs: What to know

teen athlete with an energy bar

ARTICLE

An ultimate guide to child, teen athlete fuel and hydration

Mother talking to her teenage son

ARTICLE

How to navigate diet culture and diet language with kids

Rows of eggs in different colors

ARTICLE

Are eggs good for kids?

Parent and child read nutrition facts label at the grocery store

ARTICLE

How to read a nutrition facts label

Teen eating kebab while smiling

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

For kids and teens: Tips for maintaining a healthy weight

Parent and child read nutrition facts label

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

How to read a nutrition label

Child in cape holds broccoli - superfoods for kids from a CHOC registered dietitian

ARTICLE

8 superfoods to boost your child’s diet

Teenager eats salad - healthy eating habits to help prevent childhood obesity

ARTICLE

10 quick tips for helping kids and teens maintain a healthy weight

Parent and daughter have fun while eating healthy - they hold bell peppers over eyes while smiling

ARTICLE

How to make eating healthy fun for kids and teens

Parent offers child dish - CHOC podcast helps parents of picky eaters

PODCAST

Childhood nutrition and picky eating

Child smiles while holding lettuce - brain-boosting foods from CHOC

ARTICLE

Brain-boosting foods for kids

Weight loss in kids - two kids run next to each other

PODCAST

How to help your child safely lose weight

Sink with soap and breast pump parts - 7 ways to clean your breast pump

ARTICLE

7 tips for easy breast pump cleaning

Teen eats granola bar with mountain behind her. How to teach teens and kids positive nutrition habits

ARTICLE

How to talk positively about nutrition and healthy eating with kids

Teen takes bite from burger - detecting harmful diet trends for kids and teens

ARTICLE

Become a diet detective: How some diet trends may be harmful to kids

Child smiles with salmon sushi

ARTICLE

The benefits of incorporating seafood into your family’s diet

Cute adorable Asian Chinese kid girl sitting in high chair eating soup with spoon. Healthy eating for kids children. Toddler eating independently in kitchen at home. Candid real authentic moments.

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

Food Support

Child eats eggs

ARTICLE

Is a keto diet healthy for my child with diabetes?

Kids look at each other while eating apples

ARTICLE

Diets and kids: What parents should know

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

Colostrum: What your baby needs from the start

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

Lactation Care for the Mother of the Infant Receiving Comfort Care

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

Lactation Care for the Mother Of the Infant Receiving Supportive Care

Baby drinking cow's milk from bottle

ARTICLE

When and how to safely transition your baby to cow’s milk

Child holds bell pepper rounds over eyes and smiles

ARTICLE

Are vegetarian and vegan (plant-based) diets safe for kids?

Child with food allergies

ARTICLE

Food allergy nutrition 101

Person with eating disorder holds up bite of food

ARTICLE

Identifying eating disorder symptoms in teens

Produce department in grocery store

ARTICLE

Nourishing the family in times of uncertainty

child holds bowl of fruits and vegetables

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

Fiber-rich fall foods

Little boy eats apple

ARTICLE

How to strengthen your child’s immune system with whole foods

Boy smiles while eating breakfast

ARTICLE

Healthy and energizing before-school breakfast ideas for kids

PRINTABLE ARTICLE

The Bristol Stool Chart: What should poop look like?

back of baby's head as they breastfeed

ARTICLE

Step up for breastfeeding: World Breastfeeding Week

Teen sitting at table eating

ARTICLE

Healthy eating tips for adolescents and teens

girl reaching for lunchbox

ARTICLE

Lunchbox tips, activity ideas and recipes for school-age kids

little girl bites her spoon

ARTICLE

Mealtime strategies, activities and recipe ideas for toddlers

Woman feeds baby with a bottle.

ARTICLE

How to help your infant during the baby formula shortage

girl holding strawberry

ARTICLE

Mealtime tips, activities and recipe ideas for preschool-aged children

Baby sitting in high chair eating pasta

ARTICLE

How to prevent your babies from choking on finger foods

baby with bib on anticipating being feed

ARTICLE

Nutrition tips for infants

young girl makes a heart with her painted hands

ARTICLE

5 heart-healthy habits for families

boy drinking soda from an aluminum can

ARTICLE

How to limit added sugars in your child’s diet

child playing on exercise ball stretching her back

ARTICLE

Preventing childhood obesity: What parents should know

holiday food table with hands of family filling their plate

ARTICLE

Holiday-time support for kids with eating disorders

Little girl looks up with sink of veggies behind her

ARTICLE

Eating our fruits and vegetables: It’s a family affair

boy eating apple in front of a tree

ARTICLE

Fiber-rich foods of fall

Baby with spoon smiling and enjoying baby food.

ARTICLE

Homemade or store-bought baby food: Which should parents choose?

Smiling baby sitting in high chair with spoon

ARTICLE

Starting solid foods with babies: An ultimate guide

Mom nurses baby outside

ARTICLE

How to support breastfeeding parents: Being a link in a chain

selection of food that is naturally rich in protein food on table

ARTICLE

How much protein does my child need?

teen in dark clothing with hair covering face

ARTICLE

Overcoming an eating disorder

outdoor farmers market with crowd and fresh fruits and veggies

ARTICLE

4 ways to incorporate sustainability into your family’s nutrition

mother and daughter chopping vegetables for a salad together

ARTICLE

5 strategies to help children with autism and feeding difficulties

Fresh fruits and vegetables - Celebrate National Nutrition Month: Personalize your plate

ARTICLE

Celebrate National Nutrition Month: Personalize your plate

Carter cheers at the CHOC Walk - nutrition tips for the CHOC walk

ARTICLE

Fueling your body for the virtual CHOC Walk

family cooking together, chopping veggies - high fiber recipes for kids from CHOC's nutrition team

ARTICLE

Fiber for kids: High fiber recipes for kids

Young girl eating apple - healthy snack ideas for kids from CHOC dietitians

ARTICLE

Healthy snack ideas for the whole family

turkey dinner on the table for thanksgiving

ARTICLE

Planning for a smaller Thanksgiving this year

Raw chickpeas on black table - the benefits of adding chickpeas to your child's diet

ARTICLE

The benefits of adding chickpeas to your family’s diet

Family cooks together in kitchen - how to get your family involved in healthy cooking

ARTICLE

How to get kids involved in the kitchen: Tips for parents

woman breastfeeds baby

ARTICLE

Breastfeeding during COVID-19

Alphabet soup letters are laid out in a tomato soup to spell the alphabet.

ARTICLE

Reducing childhood obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Parent and child bake together in kitchen - comfort baking with a healthier twist

ARTICLE

Comfort baking with a healthier twist

Mom holding daughter, helping her son wash veggies for a salad

ARTICLE

Tips for supporting your immune system through nutrition

mini egg frittatas with veggies, baked in cupcake pan - healthy recipes to make with kids

ARTICLE

Recipes to make with kids during quarantine

Mom with grocerie cart full of bread, veggies and other food

ARTICLE

Tips for minimizing trips to the grocery store during COVID-19

Pantry - A dietitian’s tips on flexible meal planning during COVID-19

ARTICLE

A dietitian’s tips on flexible meal planning during COVID-19

a little girl sitting in a child's chair eating an orange

ARTICLE

Eat right, “bite by bite”

girl holding her hands at heart feeling grateful, smiling

ARTICLE

A registered dietitian’s tips for a healthy heart

Little girl eating watermelon outdoors

ARTICLE

Organic fruits and vegetables vs. conventionally grown

Woman scraping flesh of cooked spaghetti squash with fork in kitchen

ARTICLE

Winter squash: Benefits, tips and recipes

Two kids eat apples at school - Healthy school lunches for kids from CHOC

ARTICLE

Tips for planning kids’ school lunches: From a clinical dietitian

Little girl eating toast for breakfast with tea cup

ARTICLE

Body mass index or BMI: What parents should know

girl chopping food on counter while dad supervises her

ARTICLE

How to help your child develop a healthy relationship with food

Mom holding daughter, helping her son wash veggies for a salad

ARTICLE

Healthy meals for your family: Tips from a registered dietitian

Newborn baby being breastfed by mother

ARTICLE

Do I need a lactation consultant?

young happy family with husband kissing his wife while she is breast feeding their newborn little son in a restaurant

ARTICLE

How to support someone who is breastfeeding

girl making orange smoothie in blender with mother

ARTICLE

Healthy drinks for kids this summer

Shot of a two young girls whispering while eating ice cream outdoors

ARTICLE

Healthy snacks for kids this summer

a child in a t-shirt in the kitchen eating an omelet

ARTICLE

Tips for traveling with picky eaters

Young woman reading nutrition label on a dairy product before buying it

ARTICLE

How to read a food label

Happy children girl and boy eating strawberries with milk

ARTICLE

Spring clean your family’s eating habits

Breakfast toasts with nut butter and banana made to look like a cute bear face

ARTICLE

Family-Friendly Healthy Eating on a Budget

child smiling in the kitchen eating spaghetti

ARTICLE

How to Deal With a Toddler Who is a Picky Eater

little girls skipping through farm fields on cloudy day

ARTICLE

How winter spices can benefit your health

girl and her mother shopping for food, checking nutrition information

ARTICLE

5 Ways to Reduce Intake of Food Additives

girl having fun picking a pumpkin at a pumpkin patch

ARTICLE

Powerful Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Little daughter feeding mother having fun in the kitchen at home

ARTICLE

6 Ways to Eliminate Trans Fats in Your Family’s Diet

Siblings eating breakfast together in kitchen

ARTICLE

Intermittent Fasting: Is it Safe for Kids?

mom and her little daughter are looking at each other and smiling in the supermarket

ARTICLE

Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping

Woman breastfeeding baby

ARTICLE

Breastfeeding: A Foundation for Life

little girl eating broccoli and carrots in kitchen

ARTICLE

Answers to Parents’ Most Common Questions on Healthy Eating for Kids

dad and daughter making salad together, little girl feeding dad a cherry tomato

ARTICLE

Gluten-Free Diets: Tips for How to Support Your Child

Two sisters on the beach have a picnic with fruit and sandwiches

ARTICLE

Ideas for Kid-Friendly Beach Food and Kid-Friendly Beach Snacks

Assortment of healthy food ingredients for cooking a mediterranean meal

ARTICLE

Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet for your Family

Baby milk bottles and toys on white background

ARTICLE

Frozen Breastmilk Safety 101

young girl eating fresh green vegetables

ARTICLE

Tips for Getting Your Child to Try New Fruits and Vegetables

Boy at elementary school lunch table about to bite into sandwich for lunch

ARTICLE

National Nutrition Month: “Go Further with Food” and Reduce Food Waste

mom and daughter preparing smoothies in the morning for breakfast

ARTICLE

Ask a CHOC Doc: How can my athlete daughter learn vital nutrition?

young man clutching his hand to his chest in pain

ARTICLE

Ask a CHOC Doc: Can Kids Get Heartburn?

child's breakfast made to look like an owl with oatmeal and fruit

ARTICLE

7 Health Benefits of Oatmeal

girl decorating Christmas tree with dad

ARTICLE

7 tips for staying healthy during the holidays

father and daughter baking in the kitchen and having fun

ARTICLE

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

Little girl eating watermelon outdoors

ARTICLE

Do’s and Don’ts for Parents of Picky Eaters

little girl eating broccoli and carrots with a fork

ARTICLE

10 Things a Registered Dietitian Feeds Her Own Kids

School boy taking a big bite into an apple

ARTICLE

How to Make a Healthy School Lunch

baby breastfeeding

ARTICLE

How to Tell If Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk from Breastfeeding

boy eating yogurt while resting in hospital bed

ARTICLE

What Kind of Yogurt Should You Feed Your Kids?

girl eating watermelon fresh fruit in the garden

ARTICLE

Summer Snack Ideas and Safe Food Tips

boy eating fruit and veggies by himself on high chair

ARTICLE

The Latest Guidelines for Introducing Solids to Babies

Young mom cooking in the kitchen with the little baby in a sling

ARTICLE

Healthy Meal Prep Tips for Busy Parents

Little girl putting her hands over her eyes because she doesn't want to eat vegetables

ARTICLE

3 Easy Ways to Sneak More Veggies in Your Kids’ Diet

breakfast in the shape of a face with pancakes and fruit

ARTICLE

CHOC Provides Healthier Nutrition Options to Patients, Staff & Visitors

Teenage Boy Drinking Caffeine Energy Drink while Gaming

ARTICLE

Are Your Kids Eating Too Much Sugar?

dad and daughter making a healthy meal together

ARTICLE

Healthy Eating Tips for the School Year

mom and preemie baby in NICU having skin-to-skin time

ARTICLE

Breastfeeding Resources for Moms in the NICU

girl looking at nutrition facts on snack package of carrots and celery

ARTICLE

5 Tips for Developing Healthy Eating Habits in Kids

Carrots and cucumbers spiralized into noodles using a spiralizer

ARTICLE

Boost Your Health with Spiralized Vegetables

Mom breastfeeding newborn kid. Dad behind her admiring baby

ARTICLE

Brighter Futures for Families with PKU

little girl smiling and drinking a glass of milk

ARTICLE

Choosing the Right Milk for Your Family

clinical dietitians Jessica Brown and Lindsay Rypkema on CHOC podcast

PODCAST

Controlling Seizures with the Ketogenic Diet

little girl refusing to eat a plate of broccoli

PODCAST

Overcoming the Struggles of Picky Eating

distraught teen upset at the number on the scale

PODCAST

Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

collection of Food sources of omega 3 and healthy fats

ARTICLE

Optimizing Your Omega-3 Intake

blender top view with healthy pink smoothie with raspberries and blueberries

PODCAST

Feeding Tubes and the Trend to Blend

Closeup of roasted chestnuts on kitchen table

ARTICLE

December 14 is National Roast Chestnuts Day

group of kids eating apples while sitting on the floor outside of school

ARTICLE

Back to school nutrition tips

Little baby eating her dinner and making a mess

ARTICLE

Bite Into a Healthy Lifestyle! March is National Nutrition Month

close up oforange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, lime

ARTICLE

Citrus Super Stars

young girl eating corn on the cob on a summer day

ARTICLE

Organic Foods – Are they more nutritious?

Hands of child holding ripe organic blueberries

ARTICLE

What’s New with the Blueberry?

A mother breastfeeding her little baby boy in her arms

PODCAST

Nutrition for Breastfeeding Moms

cute newborn baby being fed by her mother using bottle

ARTICLE

Donating Breast Milk to CHOC

portrait for teenage girl eating a hamburger

ARTICLE

Fight Obesity with the Right Food

Young teen boy holding smoothy with healthy food and smiling

ARTICLE

ADHD and Diet: Fact vs. Fiction

Lunch box with vegetables and sandwich on wooden table

ARTICLE

Five Reasons to Eat Fruits, Vegetables

Tired teen boy in soccer uniform drinks water from plastic bottle

ARTICLE

FAQ: Hydration for Young Athletes

girl covers her mouth with hands refusing to eat tomato amd spaghetti

ARTICLE

Four Tips for Feeding Fussy Eaters

mother holding tiny premature baby hand in incubator

ARTICLE

Breastfeeding Premature Infants

Mother, Father and Little Boy Cooking Together making a Healthy Dinner

PODCAST

Tips for Keeping the Home Safe for Kids with Food Allergies

PODCAST

Tips for Feeding Babies with Cleft Palates

baby drinking milk from baby bottle while looking his mom

ARTICLE

New Process Leads to Safer Breast Milk Handling

little boy with glass of water refusing to take vitamins

ARTICLE

5 Dangers of Supplements for Children

Teen football team running during practice

ARTICLE

Muscling out the Myths: on Protein

Young woman making school lunch in the morning

ARTICLE

Lessons on the Lunch Box

young boy having fun making a salad

ARTICLE

Wheat Alternative Carbohydrates & Grains

little girl holding her throat in pain

ARTICLE

What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?

little girl eating a snack

ARTICLE

Encourage Your Kids to Snack Healthy

little girl eating a tomato with her salad

ARTICLE

Fun and Easy Folate-Rich Snacks for Your Kids

cute smiling clown face on ham sandwich

ARTICLE

Good Nutrition: As Close As Your Plate!