Toddler Food
Feeding toddlers is a challenging task. They often are hesitant to eat even regular food, forget feeding the newer foods. Toddler growth slows down gradually when they complete the first year. As a result their intake of food also reduces proportionately. At this stage toddlers are more attracted towards their surrounding rather than eating food.
A toddler between the age of one and two eats about ¼ of an adult’s quantity. It is always advisable to feed the toddlers in small servings instead of stuffing them with huge quantities. When they feel hungry they themselves will ask for more food. Parent’s responsibility ends when they select the type of food their toddler is supposed to eat, and the toddler decides the time and quantity.
One need not count the calories while feeding the toddlers. But knowing his need will be helpful in planning a balanced diet for him. According to experts, a toddler needs around 1300 calories of food each day. One ounce of cow’s milk gives about 19 calories and breast feeding two times a day gives around 25 to 17 calories. Never give fat rich milk until your child grows to 3 years of age. Fruit juices have about 16 calories per ounce. If he takes 2 or 3 times 10 ounces in a day that will add up to 450 to 500 calories which is more than what he needs.
As toddlers have very small stomach they eat very less food at a time. They require regular meals and two or three snacks in between. Milk and fresh juices are good snacks but over dose can reduce the intake of solid food which is very essential for your toddler’s growth. Never give drinks like coffee, tea or any other beverages as they don’t have any nutritional value.
After completion of the first year a toddler can be fed using cups. In this stage he will be able to hold the cup and slowly can drink water or milk from the cups. There may be spills all over his body and surface, but letting him handle in his own way is ideal.
If the toddler does not eat a particular food do not force him or show your disappointment. If you do so that will create a resistant behavior on the child towards that food. After offering food, wait for some time, still he refuses, and then remove it without any hesitation.
If you want to introduce new foods give him one at a time along with regular items, he will take it without any hesitation. It is also important to feed your toddler when he is hungry and is in good mood.
One aspect which needs full attention from parent in toddler feeding is choking.
Choking can happen even while taking regular food. If the food items are oval or round shaped or are hard to chew that can choke a toddler’s throat making breathing difficult for him. It is always advisable to keep a watch on your toddler while feeding and also do not walk or run when feeding them.