Toddlers are unpredictable. They like some foods one day may be totally different in the next day. There are some essential points that you may have about your toddler’s nutrition. Babies of these ages can grasp and release foods with their fingers and be able to chew more foods. They have definite likes and dislikes. If you want to make mealtimes to be enjoyable, you should be patient and understanding when your child makes a mess that they are learning to feed themselves. You can serve healthy foods for meals and snacks at scheduled times, but allow for flexibility,
and please do not force your child to eat too much. Your child may refuse food in an attempt to make their own decisions and become independent. Keep in mind that you are responsible for what, when, and where your child eats, let your child decide what to eat and how much. You can continue to serve a new food even if your child has rejected it, it may take several times before your child accepts the food.
At mealtimes, you can offer small portions of what the rest of your family is eating (such as: bread, pasta or rice; fruits and vegetables; cheese or yogurt; and cooked lean meat, poultry, fish, or eggs). Offer your child food every 2 to 3 hours for a meal or snack.
If your child should drink about 2 cups (nearly 480mls) of whole milk per day. If your child drinks more than this it can reduce your child’s appetite. A child under age 2 should not be given low-fat or fat-free milk, they need the extra fat in whole milk for growth and development, You can offer 100% fruit juice in small amounts, about 4 to 6 ounces per day, Serve juice in a cup, not a bottle. Juice served in a bottle can cover your child’s teeth with sugar for long periods of time and contribute to tooth decay. Your child may not tell you when they are thirsty, make sure they drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially between meals and snacks.
Meal times will be messy as your toddler tries to develop their new skill at using a spoon and drinking from a cup. By age one to three, there’ll be less to clear up as he/she manages a cup well and uses a spoon, fork and possibly even a knife.