Call to Book Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Jen LeGare FNP-BC Biography Jen grew up on a farm outside of Osseo, WI (not to be confused with Osseo, MN). She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then went on to complete her Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner through the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in 2011. She has spent 22 years working in health care at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, WI. Jen has always had a special interest in caring for the pediatric population. As an RN she worked on a Neuro/Pediatric/Trauma unit, a newborn nursery/postpartum unit and in a level 2 special care nursery. For the past 10 years, Jen has worked in the outpatient pediatric clinic and cared for thousands of infants through young adults. She is board certified to see all ages and has a special interest in infants, wellness and well child checks, asthma, mental health, contraception and concussions. Jen comes to Wayzata Children’s Clinic in 2024 after recently getting married. Her husband grew up in Minnetonka and they both have family in the area. Although they both love to travel and explore new places in the world, they are Midwesterners to the core and could not imagine living in a place without seasons. They love to run, hike, bike, swim, ski, compete in races and do basically anything outdoors in their free time. They have a spoiled cat, Miss Millie, and are hoping to start a family of their own soon. Jen is very excited to be joining the Wayzata team where she can build relationships, watch children and families grow and establish new roots in the area. Jen sees patients in Minnetonka. Back to Providers

Book with Maddy Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Maddy Goeden MD Biography Maddy is another Minnesota native, having grown up in Duluth, Minnesota. She attended Colorado College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with honors in 2005. Maddy then worked in a gene therapy lab in New York before moving back to Minnesota and managing participants in the Minnesota Twin Study. She then earned her medical degree in 2013 from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Maddy completed her pediatrics residency at University of Minnesota and is board certified. She is currently our clinic's medical director, and her professional interests include sleep medicine, dermatology, and empowering parents to raise wonderful children. Her hobbies include fostering animals through the Humane Society, practicing yoga, and gardening. Maddy and her husband live in Minneapolis and are enjoying the challenge of parenting a toddler. They also have a rambunctious cat Benny. Back to Providers

Call to Book Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Sehar Minhas MB, BS Biography Sehar Minhas is originally from Pakistan. She had the opportunity to grow up all over the country and abroad because of her father’s military career. She completed her medical education in 2013 from Army Medical College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. She moved to Minnesota after completing her intern year to be with her husband who is a born and raised Minnesotan. She completed her Masters in Health Administration in 2020 from University of Minnesota and will be graduating from her Pediatrics Residency in June 2024, also from University of Minnesota. She is board eligible in pediatrics and will be taking her American Board of Pediatrics certification exam in October 2024. She is also hoping to take the CTropMed ( Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers' Health) exam in October 2025. Her clinical interests include taking care of children of all ages and complexities as well as care of immigrant children and traveler's health. She lives with her husband and two children in Savage and likes to spend her free time travelling, trying out new restaurants, working in her vegetable garden and spending time with her family. She is also excited to pick up some new hobbies and spend more time outdoors after graduating from her pediatrics residency this year. Dr Minhas sees patients in Chaska. Back to Providers

After 28 years, Dr Lemieux steps back from primary care effective January 1, 2024. Letter from Dr. Kelly Lemieux After 28 wonderful years of practice at Wayzata Children’s Clinic, I plan to step back from primary care pediatrics and to resign from Wayzata Children’s Clinic as of January 1, 2024. This has been a thoughtful and difficult decision. It has been informed by both my desire to step back, and toward retirement, from clinical primary care as well as a door that was opened with an opportunity to take a position as Medical Director of Pediatrics at Ridgeview Medical Center. In this new role at Ridgeview Medical Center, I will be focused on hospital-based care for newborns and walk in urgent care for pediatric patients. I will not be seeing pediatric patients for primary care clinic appointments. I am very excited for this opportunity and to be a part of building something new and good for our kids and communities while continuing to work side by side with all the community primary care pediatricians, including my partners at Wayzata Children’s Clinic. Ultimately, I take on this new role with gratitude for my time at Wayzata Children’s Clinic and the opportunities that I have had to learn, lead, and grow as a pediatrician while caring for your children. I am more than proud of the care we deliver for children and families here. I will remain proud of that work in my new role and confident that I leave you and your children in the hands of a talented and capable group of clinicians. I will continue to see patients in the Spring Park site until the end of the year. My schedule has been closed to new patients to allow the opportunity for established patients to access appointments more easily, if needed, prior to my departure. I am committed to making this as smooth of a transition as possible for all of you. Please reach out to me via the patient portal or by phone through our nurse care coordinator, Leslie, with questions. I hope to see many of you prior to the end of the year. Thank you for the privilege of caring for you and your children over the past 28 years! Sincerely, Kelly Lemieux M.D. Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

Our Minnetonka clinic is our very first, previously located in Wayzata. We moved in 2009, and it houses most of our providers. The main clinic is on the entire first floor, and you'll find our administration offices on the third. Our Minnetonka clinic is our very first, previously located in Wayzata. We moved in 2009, and it houses most of our providers. The main clinic is on the entire first floor, and you'll find our administration offices on the third. 14001 Ridgedale Dr #100, Minnetonka, MN 55305 Clinic Hours (952) 473-0211 Sunday Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Closed Minnetonka View Holiday Hours We start answering phones M-F at 7 AM, Sa at 8:30 AM. Our Minnetonka providers Laura Brixius PA-C Tracie Dodig MD Martha Engelbrekt MD Maddy Goeden MD Maddie Janke PA-C Jen LeGare FNP-BC Tanya Liberato MD Mara Liss MD Shane McWhirter MD Ilene Moore MD Danah O'Neil MD Amanda Steele PA-C Lab Hours General Lab Sunday Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 4:15 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 7:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 7:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 7:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 7:00 PM Closed Blood Draw Sunday Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Friday Closed 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Closed Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

As the pandemic continues to evolve, we are constantly changing our guidelines to safely see patients. Current State of the Clinic As the pandemic continues to evolve, we are constantly changing our guidelines to safely see patients. We want to thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. View our COVID-19 clinic updates here. Avoid the August rush and schedule well visits as soon as possible. Sports forms can be filled out at well visits. Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

Opened in 2012, our Delano clinic is located in the Ridgeview Delano Clinic building. Opened in 2012, our Delano clinic is located in the Ridgeview Delano Clinic building. 916 St Peter Ave E #120, Delano, MN 55328 Clinic Hours (763) 230-2780 Sunday Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Friday Closed 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed Delano View Holiday Hours We start answering phones M-F at 7 AM. Our Delano providers Rachel Bies MD Abby Olson CPNP-PC Nicole Peterson DNP, FNP-C Lab Hours General Lab Sunday Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Friday Closed 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 4:15 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 4:15 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 4:15 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 4:15 PM 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1:30 PM - 4:15 PM Closed Blood Draw Sunday Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Friday Closed 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Closed Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

The deadline to renew has been extended to August 1, 2023. Renew Your Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare Coverage! Covered by Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare? Re-apply so you don’t lose insurance coverage. Follow these three important steps! Update your contact information so DHS can contact you about your renewal. Look up when you need to renew so you’ll be ready. Watch for your renewal paperwork in the mail from DHS and complete it right away. The deadline to renew has been extended to August 1, 2023 (originally July 1, 2023), but the state urges you to complete the renewal as soon as possible to avoid any lapse in coverage. Questions? Visit the Department of Human Services (DHS) website for more information: mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage/ Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

3 years Nutrition Offer 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day, consisting of the same healthy foods that you serve the rest of the family. Let your child decide how much of those foods to eat. Most children at this age are influenced by the eating habits of other people (family, friends, daycare, etc.) and can make a big deal over the color, appearance, and smell of certain foods. Try to downplay any commotion, and praise whatever is eaten. Mealtime should be as pleasant as possible, and you have already established control by offering good choices. A minimum of 2 cups (about 16 ounces) of skim or 1% milk is recommended daily for most children. If your child attends daycare or preschool, ask about the foods served and your child's eating habits and manners away from home. Most children are interested in what will make them bigger, faster, smarter, and stronger, so take a beginner's look at the USDA Food Pyramid (ask us if you would like a copy) with your child and explain why good food choices will help her be better at whatever she chooses to do. You are still your child's primary tooth brusher. Brush at least twice a day with a small amount of toothpaste. Dental visits are recommended every 6 months. Wellness Visits Most children sleep 8-12 hours a night and may take a 1-2 hour nap. Naps sometimes become "rest periods" at this age but still allow both the child and caregiver to have a break. Try to make bedtime as pleasant as possible. As the imagination develops, dreams may seem more real and can be frightening. It is often helpful to establish, with your child, a series of questions your child can ask herself if frightened (Is the frightening object real or pretend? Was the noise one I've heard before?). Or, establish actions your child can take to help herself (turn on the light, look at a book). See handout on "Common Childhood Sleep Concerns" if needed. Sleep Toilet training can be a thrilling developmental stage, or a time of power struggles. It is important to understand your child's need to follow her own timing. If already trained, she may occasionally regress (especially at times of stress, such as changes in the household, vacations, starting preschool, illness). If not yet trained, your child will train quickly when interested and ready, and not a minute sooner!! Your job is to support and praise her for her successes, help her understand that accidents do happen, and remove all attention from unwanted behavior. Elimination Minnesota law requires all children to be in appropriately sized, federally approved car restraints until they are age 4 and 40 pounds. Know where your child is at all times, and supervise play activities. Start discussing "good" and "bad" touch and appropriate contact with strangers. Keep all medications and toxic household products in a locked cabinet and make sure all have working safety caps. We also recommend that you keep the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) number handy. Remember: children imitate parents, so avoid taking medications in front of your child. Use sunscreen (at least SPF 15) during all outdoor daytime activity. Animals are very attractive, but can harm if provoked. Teach your child to approach all animals (even your own) with caution and respect. If you have a gun, lock it out of site and lock the ammunition separately. If your child spends time away from home (friend's home, daycare, grandparents' home, etc.), ask to see if guns are accessible. Teach pedestrian safety skills, and always wear helmets when biking. Supervise all water activity and wear life vests when boating (it's the law). Shaken Baby Syndrome is preventable by taking breaks before you are desperate. Discuss this with your child's caregivers, too, and make sure everyone has the Crisis Connection phone number available (612-379-6363) Safety At this age, children begin to distinguish right from wrong and occasionally behave as expected! Safe, consistent limits and a predictable daily schedule are important. Encourage your child to control her behavior for positive attention and approval, and explain why certain behaviors are unacceptable. Adjustment to a sibling is a continuous process. At each new stage of development (of either child), rivalry may resurface. Attempt to let your children work things out on their own. Effective conflict resolution starts young. We look forward to seeing your child again at age FOUR. No vaccines are usually due. Please try to be at least 10 minutes early for all scheduled well-child visits. Family Adjustments Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

20, 21 years (female) Nutrition Try to eat 3 healthy meals a day and make this a habit for life. Your performance in school and at work and even during your free-time activity still depends on your diet. Even if you feel you're done growing, you still need 3-4 foods a day high in calcium to support the completion of your bone density and continued bone strengthening. Also, 2-3 iron-rich foods a day are still recommended to support your blood. Read food labels to see how much fiber you need and how much you are actually getting — fiber is known to prevent colon cancer and heart disease. Avoid the "traps" that often affect people your age out on their own. Junk foods taste great but can deprive your body of what it really needs and can put on the excess weight (as can alcohol). Also, avoid habits that will be tough to break later on, such as always eating in a rush or in front of the TV, or eating when stressed or while studying. If you are unhappy with your appearance or performance, take a good look at your eating and see what you could change. There is no vitamin or "energy" supplement nearly as good as just eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly. This becomes even more important if you are a college student or at a job where you feel you are not as active as you used to be (or would like to be). See your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and exams. Wellness Visits Keeping your body on a fairly regular wake/sleep schedule (even on weekends) will help you get the sleep you need. Try not to save all of your "think time" or studying for bedtime — it often delays falling asleep. Sleep Always wear your seatbelt in the car and your helmet when biking or in- line skating. NO ONE thinks an accident will happen to them. Wear sunscreen if you are outside. A great tan is not worth cancer. Take your body seriously. Tobacco, drugs, and irresponsible alcohol use change lives, and usually not for the better. Far too many adults have regrets about past decisions they wish they could change. If you feel you have made a past mistake, re-contract with yourself and make better future decisions. Delay sex until you're truly emotionally ready for this step. If you already are sexually active, or planning to be, be smart and responsible. If you have questions or concerns about sex, your sexuality, HIV, pregnancy, or STDs, please talk with another adult whom you trust and respect. If you live away from home and return for a visit, expect that your parents will still want to know where you are and who you're with (yes, they have their own adjustments to make regarding your independence at home!). More injuries occur in unorganized sports ("pick-up games" or "a quick jog") than ever before. Warm-up and stretch well before any exercise. Safety Continue to prioritize your demands — the ones you place on yourself as well as the ones others place on you. You will find that balancing all the parts of your life (including your free time) is the key. Try to talk to your family frequently, even if by phone. You may be surprised by how many more agreements you have now! This can be a fabulous, and stressful, time. On one hand, increasing independence and decision-making power is great. On the other hand, stresses of school and money, lack of familiar support, and increasing responsibilities and uncertainty can take their toll. If you find yourself getting stressed out more than you feel you should or can reasonably handle, please talk to someone. A friend, parent, favorite professor or coach, counselor, or health care provider can offer support and help. Social, Family, & School Your body will continue to "proportion" itself and strengthen muscles and bones. It is recommended that all young women now have routine pelvic exams (regardless of sexual history); your health care provider will then check your reproductive system more closely and screen you for cervical cancer. It is also recommended that you start routine monthly breast exams. This is a good time to start making your own health appointments (if you haven't already) and looking into an adult health clinic. Be sure you have a copy of your health history (including vaccines) as you move away from home. We recommend yearly physicals. Please call with any concerns you have about yourself. Growth Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

18, 19 years (male) Nutrition Try to eat 3 healthy meals a day and make this a habit for life. Your performance in school and at work and even during your free time activity still depends on your diet. Even if you feel you are done growing (or close to being done) you still need 3-4 foods a day high in calcium to support the completion of your bone growth and density and continued bone strengthening. Also, 2-3 iron-rich foods a day are still recommended to support your blood. Read food labels to see how much fiber you need and how much you are actually getting — fiber is known to prevent colon cancer and heart disease. Avoid the "traps" that often affect people your age out on their own. Junk foods taste great but can deprive your body of what it really needs and can put on the excess weight (as can alcohol). Also, avoid habits that will be tough to break later on, such as eating in a rush or in front of the TV, or eating when stressed or while studying. If you are unhappy with your appearance or performance, take a good look at your eating and see what you could change. There is no vitamin or "energy" supplement nearly as good as just eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly. This becomes even more important if you are a college student or at a job where you feel you are not as active as you used to be (or would like to be). See your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and exams. Wellness Visits Keeping your body on a fairly regular wake/sleep schedule (even on weekends) will help you get the sleep you need. Try not to save all of your "think time" and studying for bedtime — it often delays falling asleep. Sleep Always wear your seatbelt in the car and your helmet when biking or in- line skating. NO ONE thinks an accident will happen to them, and then it does. Wear sunscreen if you are outside. A great tan is not worth cancer. Take your body seriously. Make the decision not to smoke, take drugs, have sex, drink alcohol, or ride in a car with someone who has been drinking. It only takes one mistake to change your life forever, and far too many adults have regrets about past decisions they wish they could change. If you feel you have made a past mistake, remember that you can always re-contract with yourself and make a better decision from now on. If you have questions about sex, HIV, pregnancy, STDs, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, please talk with another adult whom you trust and respect. If you live away from home and return for a visit, expect that your parents will still want to know where you are and who you're with (yes, they have their own adjustments to make regarding your independence at home!). Remember that driving is a privilege, not a right. You are an adult by law. More injuries occur in unorganized sports ("pick-up games" or "a quick jog") than ever before. Warm-up and stretch well before any exercise. Safety Continue to prioritize your demands — the ones you place on yourself as well as the ones others place on you. You will find that balancing all the parts of your life (including your free time) is the key. Try to talk to your family frequently, even if by phone. You may be surprised by how many more agreements you have now! This can be a fabulous, and stressful, time. On one hand, increasing independence and decision-making power is great. On the other hand, stresses of school and money, lack of familiar support, and increasing responsibilities and uncertainty can take their toll. If you are finding yourself getting stressed out more than you feel you should or can reasonably handle, please talk to someone. A friend, parent, favorite professor or coach, counselor, or health care provider can offer support and help. Social, Family, & School You have probably gone through most of your growth by now, but your body will continue to "proportion" itself for years (as your muscle mass increases and bones strengthen). It is now recommended that all men do routine monthly self-testicular exams. Some men are uncomfortable doing this at first, but we will teach you how to do this and discuss why it is important, even at your age. Testicular cancer affects more younger men than older men. This is a good time to start making your own health appointments as you transition from adolescent to adult care. Be sure you have a copy of your health history (including vaccines) as you move away from home. We are happy to continue seeing you for the next few years if you choose, and we recommend another routine physical next year. Please call with any concerns you have about yourself. Growth Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now

15 months Nutrition Most children need 12-16 ounces of whole milk a day. This is an excellent time to completely wean your child to a cup if you have not already done so. Bottle habits can lead to cavities in the front teeth and, depending on what's in it, decreased mealtime appetite. Having your child eat only in his high chair (for all meals and snacks) encourages him to be a part of the family, and avoids "grazing" and potential choking situations. Your child can be offered almost everything you make for yourself (with the exception of choking foods, such as raw vegetables, nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, hotdogs, etc.), and will probably want to feed himself. Fingers still work the best, but most children can start using a spoon and fork. Continue to cut meats very small. Mealtime is usually not a toddler's shiniest moment! The typical toddler eats well at only one or two meals each day (dinner is usually the pickiest) and eats better away from home. Avoid battles at the table. Since you cannot make your child eat, provide healthy food choices and praise whatever is eaten. This way you both win. If your child seems disinterested or finished, casually remove his food (and perhaps him) from the table, and inform him with your actions that the next meal or snack will come as usual (not necessarily when he decides it should be!) See our handout "Feeding Your Toddler, Age 1 to 3" if you are interested in more information. Parents are the main toothbrushers until school age, with children helping as much as they want. A toothbrush is recommended as soon as the first molars erupt. You do not need toothpaste, but a small dab may be just the incentive for a resistant toddler. Wellness Visits Most toddlers sleep 10-12 hours each night and take one nap during the day. Your child may cry when put down for sleep, as he dislikes being separated from you (this is another attachment age). Be gentle, but firm, with your sleep routine. Stay with the crib as long as you are able, but transition to the bed if your child climbs out. Sleep Believe it or not, toilet-training has begun! Every time you acknowledge your child's wet, dry, or messy diaper you are giving information about his body that will be used later when he learns to use the toilet. Remember to choose positive messages. Also, do not be alarmed if you see a small piece of undigested food in your child's stool. This is normal when he eats a variety of table foods. Elimination You now have a "touch and go" child. He touches everything in sight and then goes on to something new! Protection is essential for his sake. Recheck all previously child-proofed areas, including the garage and lawn. Walking children have more courage and often go down unguarded stairways or fall on toys and furniture; use utmost care and constant supervision. Toddlers still test objects by putting them in their mouths. We suggest that you keep the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) phone number handy next to all of your home phones and programmed into your cell phone. Burns happen quickly. Irons, curling rods, lamps, cigarettes, candles and hot liquids are all within reach of a curious, walking child. Remember, Minnesota State Law requires all children under age 10 to wear a life-preserver when on any private boat. Find one that fits well. Toddlers are wonderful, but can be frustrating. Avoid the potential for Shaken Baby Syndrome by taking breaks from your child before your temper flares. Call a relative or friend for help, or the Parent Warmline (612-813-6336). If you're at the end of your rope, call the Crisis Connection (612-379-6363) or Minneapolis Crisis Nursery (763-591-0100); they can help you get a break. We would like to see your child again for a routine checkup at age EIGHTEEN MONTHS. The daily thrills (and challenges!) of your child learning to talk, run, throw, identify objects, and imitate your every move are ahead. Your child's DTaP and Hepatitis A booster vaccines are recommended at that visit. Please try to be at least 10 minutes early for all scheduled well-child visits. We all wonder where they get their energy! Safety Locations Chaska (952) 448-3847 Location & Hours Delano (763) 230-2780 Location & Hours Maple Grove (763) 324-8000 Location & Hours Minnetonka (952) 473-0211 Location & Hours Spring Park (952) 495-8910 Location & Hours Save time. Book online! Book Now