ASK NANA

Dear Nana,

Can I give my 18 month old chocolate in her Easter Basket? We don’t usually give her much sugar.

- An Eggcited Easter Bunny Dad

Dear Eggcited Easter Bunny Dad (Groan),

It is generally recommended to wait until a child is over a year old to introduce chocolate, due to the small amounts of caffeine and other stimulants that are present. So 18 months is a great time. If your child is eating solids fairly well, a small amount of chocolate should be just fine.

Avoid candy that contains any kind of chokeable, like nuts or hard candy pieces, and since we are talking Easter candy, be careful of small egg-shaped pieces. Flat or soft pieces are best

Children do need to establish a taste for healthy foods but I believe small amounts of celebratory items – like chocolate or cupcakes – are fine if not given too often.

 May I suggest a great item for Infant/Toddler Easter baskets are plastic eggs that open and close. Kids love to do this over and over again and you can use them for matching, hiding and all kinds of other games.

Enjoy and Happy Easter!

-Nana

Ask Nana is published with permission. ©2021, M. Rogers, All right reserved

Worried about your child’s development? Visit the CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early to learn about important developmental milestones your child should be reaching at their age. You can also download their free Milestone Tracker App, as well as find out how and where to get help if you have any concerns. Remember, you do NOT need a referral from a doctor to receive help!