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Leave Lead Alone

  • Home
  • Additional Education Resources
  • Leave Lead Alone
  • Protect Your Family
  • Where Lead Lives
  • 3 Key Nutrients
  • Check For Lead
  • Lead Testing Locations

What you need to know

to protect your family

Lead is a metal that our bodies don’t need. Exposure to lead can seriously harm your child’s health and future.

Lead exposure can cause:

Brain damage
Damage to the brain, nerves, and kidneys
Learning issues
Learning and behavior problems
Growth delay
Slowed growth and development
Hearing issues
Hearing and speech problems

Most children show NO signs of lead poisoning.
Some symptoms may include stomach ache, fatigue, constipation, or irritability. Call your health care provider if you think your child may have lead poisoning.

Where lead lives

Lead can be found in many places.

Number one

Paint in homes built before 1978.

Clean and dust surfaces often. Don’t allow your child to play near old windows or in bare soil.

Number two

Water pumped through lead pipes.

Drink or cook with COLD water from the tap. Hot water can have higher levels of lead.

Number three

Certain toys and jewelry.

Watch what goes in your child’s mouth! Wash hands and toys often.

every family member with their activity
Number four

Traditional home remedies or imported items such as candies, makeup, or clay pottery may contain higher lead content which may be harmful to your child.

These items should be avoided or used as decoration only.

Number five

Some work environments may increase your exposure to lead-based products (building renovations, auto repair shops, etc.).

Take precautions and consider removing shoes before entering the home. Change clothing and shower to reduce lead exposure.

3 key nutrients

Calcium, Iron and Vitamin C

Good nutrition is another way to protect your family from lead.

For children and adults, three key nutrients can play a role in protecting the body from the harmful effects of lead:

CALCIUM

IRON

VITAMIN C

These nutrients help the body absorb less lead and are part of a healthy diet. Choose a variety of foods daily!

Father with baby happy meal

SOURCES OF

Calcium
  • Cottage cheese
  • Pudding
  • Calcium fortified orange juice
  • Dark, leafy green vegetables
  • Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese

SOURCES OF

Iron
  • WIC-approved cereals
  • Legumes (peas, beans, lentils)
  • Dried fruits
  • Lean red meats, fish, chicken, turkey
  • Dark, leafy green vegetables

SOURCES OF

Vitamin C
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruit
  • Tomatoes
  • Bell peppers
  • Broccoli
  • Potatoes
  • Strawberries
  • Melons
  • WIC-approved juices

Check

for lead

Your health care provider can do a simple finger-prick test for lead.

Talk to your health care provider about getting your child tested for lead at age 1 and 2 years old.

Locations Providing Blood Lead Testing

New Castle County

Hudson State Service Center
Public Health Clinic
501 Ogletown Road
Newark, DE 19711
302-283-7587 ext. 3

Porter State Service Center
Public Health Clinic
509 W. 8th Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-777-2860

Kent County

Williams State Service Center
Public Health Clinic
805 River Road
Dover, DE 19901
302-857-5140

Milford State Service Center at the Riverwalk
Public Health Clinic
253 NE Front Street
Milford, DE 19963
302-424-7140

Sussex County

Thurman Adams State Service Center
Public Health Clinic
544 S. Bedford Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
302-515-3174

Anna C. Shipley State Service Center
Public Health Clinic
350 Virginia Avenue
Seaford, DE 19973
302-628-6772

Office of Healthy Environments

Call 302-744-4546
Go to LeadSafeDelaware.org
Delaware Health Services
Delaware Wic Site Logo

Contact Us

New Castle County
Hudson: (302) 605-4066
West End: (302) 605-6653
Northeast/Claymont: (302) 605-4099
Email: nccwic@delaware.gov

Kent County
(302) 605-1833
(302) 605-4077 (Spanish)
Email: kentwic@delaware.gov

Sussex County
(302) 605-4055
(302) 605-4077 (Spanish)
Email: sussexwic@delaware.gov

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    Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon and from a bowl, never from a bottle.
    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, about 4-6 times in 24 hours.

    Babies may experience a growth spurt around 6 months of age and may feed more often.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day of infant formula.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    Use breast milk or formula to prepare 2-4 Tbsp. iron-fortified infant cereal. Offer twice per day. 2-4 Tbsp. of small pieces of dry bread, baby crackers, and cereal. Offer twice per day.
    Grains
    Vegetables
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed vegetables.
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed fruits. Applesauce, pureed peaches, or mashed banana.
    Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Plain strained, mashed, or pureed meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or legumes. May add smooth whole milk yogurt. Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.
    Proteins

    Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

    Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, 3 or more times per day.

    Infant Formula

    16-24 oz. per day. Offer in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. WIC approved infant cereals. Dry toast, crackers, bread, bagels, rolls, or plain muffins. Cooked rice and noodles.
    10-12 Month Grains
    Vegetables
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked bite-size vegetable pieces.
    10-12 Month Vegetables
    Fruits
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Fresh fruits, peeled, and in bite-size portions.
    10-12 Month Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans. Thinned, smooth peanut butter.
    10-12 Month Proteins

    Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon. Never put cereal in a bottle.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue nursing on-demand, at least 4 times in 24 hours.

    If your baby seems less interested in nursing after you introduce solids, try nursing before you offer solids.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain iron-fortified infant cereals.

    Plain rice or pasta.

    Baby crackers, small pieces of bread, or soft tortillas.

    8-9 Month Grains
    Vegetables

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain cooked vegetables, mashed with a fork.

    8-9 Month Vegetables
    Fruits

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Peeled soft fruit in bite-size pieces.

    Unsweetened canned fruit.

    8-9 Month Fruits
    Proteins

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans.

    Cottage cheese or mild cheese.

    Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.

    8-9 Month Proteins
    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Tips

    Mom new born home

    Breast milk and formula feeding:

    Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt when they feed more often.

    As they grow babies can hold more milk, so feedings may become further apart and take less time.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond.

    feeding solid foods

    Feeding solid foods:

    Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

    • Can sit up and hold up their own head.
    • Opens their mouth when they see food.
    • Can close their lips around a spoon.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

    Introduce peanut butter around 6 months. Mix one teaspoon of peanut butter with breast milk or formula. Make it thin and easy to swallow. Use a spoon to offer a taste of the thinned product. Watch your baby for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

    Babies under one year should NOT have honey due to the risk of botulism. Also, babies should not have foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

    All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

    Feeding Cues

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Full
    I'm Hungry
    • Stirring
      Stirring
    • Mouth opening
      Mouth opening
    • Turning head seeking/rooting
      Turning head seeking/rooting
    I'm Full
    • Releases or falls off
      Releases or “falls off”
    • Turns away
      Turns away
    • Relaxes and opens fists
      Relaxes and opens fists

    Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

    Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Nurse your baby on-demand, at least 7-9 times in 24 hours.

    When your baby starts teething, they may want to nurse more often.

    Infant Formula

    25-45 oz in 24 hours.

    Your baby needs about 4-6 oz of iron-fortified formula every 3-4 hours.

    Your baby may start to feed on a schedule. Instead of focusing on fixed amounts, let your baby tell you when they have had enough.

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Feeding a 0-3 Month Old

    Newborns have tiny tummies and need to be fed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

    Growth Spurts

    Many babies are fussy during a growth spurt and will want to nurse longer and more often. This is called cluster feeding. This is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with their needs. Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

    Growth spurts can happen at any time, and every baby is different.

    They often happen at these ages:

    two-three-weeks

    2 to 3 Weeks

    6 Weeks

    three-months

    3 Months

    six-months

    6 Months

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Breastfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours to help your newborn stay healthy.

    Nurse on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger, such as sucking on hands or smacking lips.

    Infant Formula

    In the first few days, newborns need 2-3 oz. of iron-fortified infant formula every 3-4 hours.

    By the end of the first month, your newborn needs about 4 oz. every 4 hours.

    Feed on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger.

    What foods can I get?

    Authorized Food List
    Authorized Food List

    Where can I shop?