Feeding your toodler

Feeding toddlers can be challenging. They are often picky eaters, are hesitant to try new foods, and in general, don't seem to eat very much. At this age toddlers are moving from the eating habits they had as infants toward a diet more like your own. Your job is to keep broadening your child's palate by introducing new flavors and textures. Food preferences are set early in life, so help your child develop a taste for healthy foods now. To begin planning your toddler's diet, it can help to begin with the idea that toddlers need a lot less to eat than you think. Remember that children aren't growing as fast as they were during their first year of life and so have lower energy needs



A GOLDEN “RULE” FOR FEEDING CHILDREN

You Decide:

1. What food is served.
2. When food is served.

Your Child Decides:

1. Whether to eat.
2. How much to eat.

QUESTIONS ABOUT...

1. Food allergies?
2. Vitamin and minerals supplements?
3. Your child’s growth or weight?
4. Other food-related issues?
5. Books to read?

A common problem scenerio we see in kids who don't eat much, is a toddler who drinks 4 cups of milk and 3 cups of juice each day. That can add up to 1350 calories, which is probably more than he needs all day, so it is not surprising that this child wouldn't be hungry for other foods.

HELP PREVENT CHOKING

1. Serve food in small pieces that are easy to pick up.
2. Do not give toddlers small hard foods like nuts, seeds, popcorn, hard candies and raw carrots.
3. Spread peanut butter thinly or mix with apple sauce.
4. Remove pits from apricots, cherries, peaches and plums.
5. Cut saussage and grapes in half lengthwise.
6. Teach toddlers to chew well.
7. Make sure children sit down while eating.
8. Stay with toddlers while they are eating and drinking for safety and because eating is a social activity.
   

Happy feeding...