Toddler feeding tips

At about one year of age, your child will be making the change to eating more table foods. At this time she should be changed to whole milk and be drinking all fluids from a cup. Your child needs the fat and calories from whole milk for proper growth and brain development. She needs to continue with whole milk until she is at least 2 years old. Aim for 16 to 24 ounces of milk per day, and limit juice to 4 to 6 ounces per day.

Offer three meals and two to three snacks a day. Try to offer at least two or more servings (one serving = ¼ to 1/3 cup) of fruits and three or more servings of vegetables per day. Offering a variety of healthy foods at an early age is the best way to establish good eating habits that will last a life time.

Choking is a big concern at this age. Make sure you cut food into bite-size pieces. Foods that are soft, moist and served at room temperature are relatively easy for a toddler to manage. It is important that your child is securely seated in a high chair while eating. The following items should be avoided:

• Gum drops, hard candies, lollipops
• Hard raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, and peppers
• Hotdogs
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Raisins
• Whole grapes

For safety, train your toddler to chew her food completely before swallowing.