1. Breastfeed for as long as possible.
Here’s why: Some studies show that infants who breastfeed for up to 12 months have a much lower risk of becoming chubby at age 10.
“We think it’s related to self-regulation,” says Janet Wojcicki, PhD, MPH, a pediatric obesity researcher at the University of California, San Francisco. “A breastfed infant starts and stops on his own, while moms may try to give formula-fed babies more than they need.”
Another benefit: Recent research says 4- to 8-month-old breastfed babies are more likely to accept veggies and fruits when they start eating solids. Researchers believe that infants grow accustomed to flavors transmitted through breast milk and learn to like the foods that you eat on a regular basis (so eat as much healthy stuff as you can!).