RICHMOND COUNTY — Just as poor dietary habits are linked to chronic diseases that begin at an early age, research shows that good nutrition habits early in life can lead to positive outcomes both mentally and physically.
To prevent obesity and other chronic diseases during childhood, early nutrition education should begin during the first two years of life. This begins with educating expectant mothers about the best recommendations to nourish the newborn child.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for the first two years. Breastfeeding protects children from many diseases, boosts brain development, and guarantees a safe and nutritious food source. WHO recommends that children be breastfed within the first hour of life and exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Breastfeeding should continue until at least two years of age.
To celebrate and encourage more mothers to breastfeed in North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein proclaimed August 1-7, 2025, “World Breastfeeding Week.” Efforts made by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public Health (DPH) in Richmond County and throughout the state have contributed greatly to increasing lactation education and support for moms who have chosen to breastfeed their children.
As your child grows, their nutritional needs change. Every child is different! The amount of food a preschooler needs is based on their age, sex, and physical activity level. Your child’s pediatrician can help guide you in your child’s specific nutritional needs.
It is important that parents, caregivers, WIC nutritionists, and early childhood educators work together to ensure that everyone is aware of essential nutrition facts for growing children. The reality is that poor diets during early childhood can contribute to health risks. For example, a diet low in vitamin A may not only weaken a child’s immune system but also put the child at risk for poor vision.
Many parents will find that preschoolers can be very picky eaters. This can be frustrating because we know that fruits and vegetables are crucial for our children’s health. So how can we encourage them to eat more of these foods and enjoy them? It may take several tries, but it’s achievable — and well worth it! Perhaps the most significant influence on your child’s diet is your modeling healthy eating habits for them. Children look up to their parents as role models, and you are in the position to encourage them to eat more fruits and vegetables by eating them yourself. Also, it’s your job to provide them with opportunities to try fruits and vegetables. Even if they don’t try the foods you give them, just giving them the chance to on multiple occasions, without forcing them to eat, can make children more receptive to trying the food eventually. Being patient and willing to try lots of different fruits and vegetables and preparation techniques to get them interested is often required. Make sure fruits and vegetables are always available to them, and eventually, they may choose those foods on their own.
Including children in the menu planning and cooking process can also increase their willingness to try fruits, vegetables, and any new foods. Allow children to help decide what foods you’ll prepare. Preschoolers can help with simple cooking tasks, like washing fruits and vegetables and
measuring and stirring ingredients. In today’s busy world, it’s important to set aside time for meals together. Mealtime should be family time. Disconnect from your cell phone and enjoy your meal together. Starting this routine early can encourage healthy conversation between you and your child from pre-school throughout their life.
Although other factors play a role in infant and pre-school children’s health, as friends and family, we can help ensure that child nutrition is a top priority. For more information about breastfeeding or early childhood nutrition, please contact the Richmond County Health and Human Services Department’s WIC office, located at 127 Caroline St. Rockingham, NC or call 910-997-8313.
For more information about health and wellness contact Cheri Bennett at cheri_bennett@ncsu.edu or 910-997-8255. The Richmond County Cooperative Extension Office helps provide research-based education and technology to the producers and citizens of this great county. The office is located at 123 Caroline St. in Rockingham, and can be reached at 910-997-8255 or richmond.ces.ncsu.edu for more information.