Toddler Feeding: Ages 1-2
About Children's Nutrition
Feeding a toddler can be a little challenging because many toddlers are picky eaters. They may like a food one day and not like it the next day. Give them different options of what to eat and make sure there is at least one food on the table they will eat. But it is important to offer them new foods and some that are not their favorites. When you consistently offer a variety of foods, children will get used to different foods. It may take ten or more times for a child to get accustomed to a food.
To help children enjoy mealtimes, try to make it a pleasant experience. It is good for them to eat with adults to see the proper way to eat. Family meals have many benefits such as better communication, a stronger family bond, and better nutrition. Also, children need to learn to eat foods on their own. They will be messy at first, but they need the experience of independent eating.
If you are breastfeeding, continue as long as both you and your child desire. It is recommended to breastfeed at least a year. The World Health Organization recommends to breastfeed for two years or more. Breast milk has many healthy benefits for your child.
Serving Sizes for Children: Ages 1-2
The food pyramid for toddlers is almost the same as the one used for adults. The main difference is the portion sizes. Serving sizes for toddlers are a lot smaller. They are about one-fourth of an adult serving.
The following table is a guideline for feeding toddlers, age 1-2.
Food Group |
Number of Portions Needed Daily |
Example of Serving Sizes |
Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta |
6 or more servings |
¼-½ slice bread or tortilla 2 tablespoons cooked rice or pasta 2 tablespoons cooked cereal 4 tablespoons ready-to-eat cereal 2-3 crackers |
Fruit |
2 or more servings |
2 tablespoons, soft or chopped fruit ¼ cup 100 percent fruit juice |
Vegetables |
3 or more servings |
2 tablespoons, soft or chopped vegetables ¼ cup 100 percent vegetable juice |
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese |
2 servings |
½ cup milk ½ slice of cheese |
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, and Eggs |
2 or more servings |
2 tablespoons chopped meat 1 egg 2-4 tablespoons cooked, mashed beans/lentils |
Fats, Oils and Sweets |
Only a little, as needed |
|
Avoid Choking Foods
Because some foods may cause choking be sure all foods are:
- Chopped into small pieces
- Cooked (soft, raw foods are all right)
- Moist, not dry
- Not hard or sharp
- Not sticky
- Not too spicy or salty
- Soft
There are some things young children should not eat:
- Cold cuts, because of risk of Listeriosis
- Hard foods (like candy, peanuts, raisins, or chips)
- Hot dogs
- Peanut butter
- Whole grapes
Use a Regular Cup
Toddlers at the age of one to two years need to be encouraged to start using a regular cup instead of a sippy cup or bottle. Using a bottle for longer than the first birthday promotes tooth decay and can lead to dental cavities. It is recommended to wean baby from a bottle by age one.
If a sippy cup is used, it should have handles and not be a “non-spill” cup. The “non-spill” type makes a child suck, like a bottle. Do not allow children to carry bottles and sippy cups around with them. In between meals and snacks do not allow children to drink sugar water, fruit juices, milk, or formula. The frequent exposure of the teeth to sugar in the drinks promotes dental cavities. If a child wants something to drink between meals and snacks, give them water.
Links for Feeding Your Child
Family Meals
Ellynsatter.com—http://www.ellynsatter.com/$spindb.query.memo.kelcyview.6.6
Feeding Toddlers
Ellynsatter.com—http://www.ellynsatter.com/$spindb.query.memo.kelcyview.2.2
Solving Feeding Problems
Ellynsatter.com—http://www.ellynsatter.com/$spindb.query.memo.kelcyview.7.7
Using a Regular Cup
American Dental Association—http://www.ada.org/public/topics/baby.asp
