Tips for Feeding Children Ages One to Two Years

When a child reaches one year of age, they learn to eat independently. At this stage, solid foods become the primary source of nutrients and energy. Therefore, your child can eat what you eat, and it is important for parents to find a suitable and healthy diet for their child.

A child's feeding schedule at this age may seem very different compared to infants, but they can benefit from following a healthy schedule and diet. Here are some tips on child nutrition.

Amount of food to give:

You can feed your child three to four times a day and schedule two to three healthy snacks between meals, with feeding periods spaced two to three hours apart. But remember that all children are different: some like to eat smaller amounts more frequently, while others can go longer between meals.

Try to notice your child's hunger cues before they start crying, as crying is a late sign of hunger and makes eating more difficult. Lip licking, sticking out the tongue, and fussiness are typical hunger cues.

Children have small stomachs, so it's normal for them to sometimes eat less or skip a meal. Let your child respond to their hunger or fullness cues and observe the signals. Stop feeding when they close their mouth or turn their head away from the food; these may be signs of fullness.

Foods to offer or avoid:

It is important to offer nutrient-rich foods that children need for growth.

Iron is one of the minerals a child's body needs for growth and development. Make sure your child gets enough iron-rich foods in their diet, such as meat, fish, and legumes. Offer your child healthy snacks like fresh fruits. Avoid foods high in sodium and empty calories that provide no nutritional benefit to your child. Do not give your child unhealthy food, soft drinks, or flavored milk.

Food preferences are established early in a child's life; help them develop a healthy taste for foods as early as possible.

What to do when your child refuses solid foods?

Although breastfeeding still provides some benefits for children at this age, offer it only after the meal, as they should eat solid foods first.

Offer your child healthy foods they like or try mixing foods they like with those they don't. Sometimes different food combinations can be offered. If your child continues to refuse to eat, do not force them and do not give them unhealthy food. Stay calm, remove the food and offer it again later. React positively when they eat.

Other feeding tips:

If your child has just started eating solid foods, introduce one new food at a time and wait 3 to 5 days to see if they have any reaction, such as a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Providing your child with their own bowl will help them learn to eat independently. Initially using their fingers, then, around 15-19 months, your child will explore eating with utensils. Give them opportunities to practice this skill and help them when they encounter difficulty.

Initially, your child will eat slowly and messily, so encouraging them and showing plenty of love during mealtime will be the right choice. Sit in front of your child and interact with them through eye contact, smiling, or talking. Praising them for eating will help build their confidence.

Children love to assert their independence, and the table is one of the places where you can give your child a sense of control. Offer your child a variety of healthy and nutritious foods and give them plenty of time to eat, letting them decide what and how much they eat.

Child feeding is not an easy task, be patient with them and make mealtime a happy time!