Feeding Toddler: When and How much

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Feeding Toddler When and How much

Toddler feeding can be a very daunting task as this is the stage when your child is too picky with the food he wants to eat. It is important to train your toddler this early to eat healthy and on time.

The appetite of your toddler decreases naturally on his second year of life. Your child is not growing as much so he doesn’t need as much food to eat. Also, the fact that your toddler is always on the go also affects his eating patterns.

Tips to make your toddler eat

Keep in mind that a healthy toddler will not starve if he has access to a wide variety of nutritious food. “Act what you preach” is the most effective way of teaching your kid to eat right. It is important that kids see parents eat and enjoy healthy food.

  • Try and try until you succeed. Keep offering the same food on several instances. It might take 8 to 15 tries before the food becomes familiar to your toddler and finally accepts it.
  • Binge eating. Toddlers like to binge one food at a time- they may want to eat fruits one day and pancakes the other. Your toddler’s eating habits is as erratic as his/her mood swings so expect him to eat well one day and not eat anything the next. Toddlers need 1,000-1,300 calories per day, but they may not eat this amount every day so plan for a nutritionally balanced week, not just day.
  • Don’t force it. It has been a proven fact that children dislike food more if parents insist a certain food to be eaten or offer some sort of reward for eating it.
  • Happy environment helps. Offering food in a happy environment helps because toddlers tend to like food they associate with fun.
Food to give
  • Kids don’t mind eating the same food over and over again. But you don’t need to worry, as this is quite normal and won’t last forever.
  • Toddlers need some fat in their diet for growth and energy and other nutrients. Though, it’s still best to give reduced fat or low fat milk and dairy products up until they turn 2. Skim milk must be given only after 5 years old.
  • Eggs are good source of protein, energy as well as other nutrients so it is an excellent food for your toddler.

Giving the right kind of food greatly helps in toddler development. It is important to be creative with the food you give your child in order to make him eat what you want. As long as you provide your child healthy options, you’re okay.

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