By: Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP
If you are celebrating your little one's first, second, or third Halloween this year, it is important to know how to make the night
safe and fun for even the tiniest monsters! Here are 8 tips to consider.
1. Allow for plenty of time to fright-prep.
As a parent,
you know your child best. Keep a look out for
fears and anxieties about Halloween. The best way to handle fear and get a toddler ready is to discuss what's going to happen.
Reading books to your child about trick-or-treating—and Halloween in general—are great ways to help that discussion. You might even want to have your child practice dressing up in their costume before the big day. Toddlers need to know that Halloween is just for fun and the scary stuff is all
pretend.
If your little one doesn't want to partake in Halloween, then let that be OK. There is always next year, and 12 months can make a big difference!
2. Play with pumpkins.
Allowing your baby or toddler to squish their hands around the insides of a pumpkin you've carved can be a great sensory play activity. There are also plenty of no-carve pumpkin decorating options to try.
3. Go trick-or-treating before dark.
Infants and young children thrive on routine, and it is easy for Halloween festivities to throw those routines off-track. If your schedule permits, try trick-or-treating while it's still light outside so you can stick to your child's regular
bedtime. If your child is sleeping, try putting a "please knock" sign on your door for other trick-or-treaters.
4. Watch for toddler tripping hazards.
Even on their best days and in the best conditions, it is still a struggle for some toddlers to walk without
falling. While you won't be able to prevent all of the tumbles, choosing a costume that is not too long or too bulky will help a great deal. Be sure to check the forecast before you go out and try to include layers if needed. Also remember to help your little one climb up and down any steps and porches.
5. Have a "Plan B" costume.
From leaky diapers to spit up to
toilet training accidents, this age is always reason to pack a backup costume and plan for the unexpected. If potty-training is still a new thing and there's a narrow window between "I have to go" and an accident, you might want to rethink a complicated costume. There is also no harm in putting them in an easy-on, easy-off diaper.
6. Be ready to pack it in early if needed.
A house or costume that's too scary, a trip or a fall, or just a hard day can send your child into the
temper-tantrum zone. But all is not lost! If your toddler quickly loses interest in trick-or-treating, see if they would prefer to answer the door and hand out candy to all the "big kids" instead. Plus, it can help you reinforce those important
sharing skills!
7. Take precautions with added sugar.
Although Halloween and sugar often go hand in hand, the
AAP recommends limiting the amounts of sugar kids get each day. This may not be an easy task when most Halloween treats are packed with added sugar and
artificial colors your little one doesn't need.
Look out for snacks and treats that may seem "healthier" but still contain added sugars—flavored yogurts, flavored milks, sugary cereals, granola bars, juices and fruit gummy snacks. Other options for trick-or-treating toddlers, or those who choose not to give out candy, include crayons and notepads, stickers, stamps, chalk, bubbles, tattoos, playdough or stuffed animals.
Here are some ideas for festive but healthy fall treats:
If your baby is 6 months or older and is just starting solid foods: You can get them into the Halloween spirit with some pumpkin purees. Whether canned, frozen or fresh, pumpkin is packed with nutrients for your growing baby—beta-carotene, vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, calcium and more. Other fall-themed options include butternut squash, sweet potato or roasted apple purees. You can even mix in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to add in fall-inspired flavors.
Ideas for older toddlers: Seasonal treats may include soft bites of roasted apples or apple sauce, baked sweet potato fries dusted with cinnamon, apple zucchini muffins, pumpkin-inspired smoothies or fruit ice pops made with fun Halloween molds.
8. Beware of treats that can be a choking hazard.
Keep an eye on what your child has in their mouth at all times while on the trick-or-treat trail—it's so easy to get distracted! It's best to avoid eating while walking or running.
Once your child is ready to enjoy treats at home, keep in mind that babies and toddlers should not have any hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, small candies (jelly beans, etc.), gummy candy, pumpkin seeds or anything with whole nuts. Candy wrappers, stickers, small toys, or temporary tattoos can be a
choking hazard, as well. As all parents know, babies and toddlers will put just about anything into their mouths!
More information
About Dr. DiMaggio
Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of NYC and at NYU Langone Medical Center. She is the co-author of
The Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers, a comprehensive manual written by a team of medical, nutrition, and culinary experts. Follow her on Instagram
@Pediatriciansguide.
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