Feeding Toddlers

Has your baby- who used to open her mouth like a hungry little bird to any food you offered her- suddenly become a picky toddler, refusing more and more of the foods she used to like? 

Although this can be very frustrating and concerning for parents, feeding our children is a process that changes and develops over time. Keep in mind, the long term goal is to raise a child who chooses healthy foods whether you are present or not. You want your baby to grow into an adult who will buy and prepare healthy meals for themselves loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables and limit their intake of unhealthy junk foods. Take comfort, you and your child will get there.

Being picky about foods is normal behavior for toddlers

• Their rate of growth is now slowing so their appetite slows as well. 
• Toddlers are developing a sense of self and have a growing need for independence.
• Toddlers have more taste buds than older children or adults so strong, spicy, or bitter flavors may be overwhelming to them.

You control the timing and content of meals, they control how much to eat (if at all)

• Be sure to offer a variety of healthy foods. Half of the plate should feature fruits and vegetables and choose whole grains over refined grains. Learn what to serve on a plate (even yours). 
• Be sure to serve the appropriate serving size. Toddlers need less than older children or adults so it may look like they are eating very little even when it is adequate for their needs. A general rule of thumb is 1 Tablespoon of the food item for each year of age. 
• Be sure to space snacks between meals evenly, 2-3 hours after a meal and 1-2 hours before a meals so your child isn't overly full at mealtimes.
• Toddlers appetites can be variable and their stomachs are smaller so be sure to offer regular, planned snacks that are healthy. Healthy snacks are essential to help supply toddlers with the daily nutrients their bodies need for optimum growth and brain development. 
• Offer plenty of water and limit juice to 4 ounces a day or less. 
• Toddlers are now able to walk, but continue to have them eat while seated as you did when they were babies. This prevents them from getting into the habit of distracted eating as well as helping to prevent choking. 
• Cut foods into small pieces to avoid choking. Also be sure to sticky foods such as peanut butter in a thin layer. Sit together with your child when they eat to watch for any choking hazards and to keep meals and snacks social. 

Avoid becoming a short order cook

It may seem easier to give in to them now by preparing something you are fairly certain they will eat, but doing this for years on end is certain to wear you down and is a disservice to your child. Continue to serve them the foods you are making each and every time. Studies have shown children's preferences for a food increases with how often they are exposed to the food. It can take as many as 20 or more exposures for a child to finally accept a food. Keep offering the food to bring your child closer to acceptance. Not offering the food only takes you further away from its acceptance. To ensure you child has enough to eat at the meal, be sure to include at least one food item your child likes at each meal. 

Avoid Starting a "tug-o-war"

• Don't force your child to finish food on their plate. This disturbs their inner cues to stop eating when they are full and can lead to weight gain later in life. 
• Don't force your child to take a bite or taste. Let them look at it, touch it, and taste it at their own rate. 
• Don't use food as a reward, especially with sweet foods. By offering a food as a reward you are implying it is more valuable than other foods. This only increases their desire for the very food you want to limit....and the tug-o-war begins. 
• As your children get older their world will begin expanding and they will be exposed to an array of foods, many with little nutritional value and high fat, salt and sugar. It is important recognize that if your children know these foods exist, you will no longer be able to successfully exclude them at all times. You will need to show your children how these foods fit into an overall diet in moderation. 

With your help, patience, long-term vision and commitment to serve your child a variety of healthy foods, your toddler will grow into an adult with healthy eating habits all their own.

Enjoy these posts for more information on child feeding & nutrition. 

If you are a child care provider in California you can receive cash reimbursements for providing healthy food to the children in your care. If you are a child care provider in El Dorado, Alpine, Placer, Nevada or Mono county our agency can help you enroll in the California Child Care Food Program (CCFP).