Picky Eating 101 – Toddlers 1-2 years
I’m a toddler now. At meals you may notice that I:
- Eat less than I used to
- Drink less, and slower from a cup
- Don’t want to try new foods
- Prefer only a few foods
This behavior is normal for me. As long as I am growing and have plenty of energy, I am eating what I need, even if I skip meals sometimes.
You Decide:
- What to eat at meals
- Where the meal will be eaten
- When meals are served
I Decide:
- How much to eat from the food you offer
- Whether or not to eat
Trust me to eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m satisfied
Top 10 Tips for Feeding Toddlers
- Provide meals and snacks around the same time every day. Feed me at the table instead of letting me graze or run around with sippy cups or pouches.
- Make one meal for everybody. If I complain or refuse to eat, don’t make me something else. I need to learn to eat what our family eats.
- Make foods easy for me to eat by cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Offer soft, moist foods to help prevent choking.
- Respect my choice if I choose not to eat. Never force or pressure me to eat. Let me listen to my body.
- Encourage good behavior at the table. Teach me how I should behave so meals are pleasant for everyone.
- Put small amounts of new foods on my plate without forcing me to try them. New foods scare me sometimes. Keep giving them to me and I will learn to like them in my own time.
- Remember that I have a small stomach. Some days I’ll eat less than others and that’s okay.
- Offer a small cup of milk at meals and water in between. Water won’t spoil my appetite like milk and juice.
- Replace my bottle with a cup. I’ll drink less, leaving more room in my tummy for food.
- If I don’t eat much, don’t try to fill me up with liquids. Wait and feed me again at my next meal or snack.