If your toddler is nursing, the schedules below will likely look similar, although your child might prefer to nurse instead of eating a snack (or even do both). It should fit with your tot’s overall routine, including when she typically gets up, wakes from her nap and goes to sleep for the night, and whether she goes to day care. The best schedule is usually one that includes three meals and two to three snacks, with eating opportunities spaced about two to three hours apart. Just as important, they give your toddler a sense of routine, so she knows what to expect (and isn’t begging you for crackers all day long) and help her learn what it feels like to feel hungry versus full. Predictable meal and snack times keep your little epicurean fueled, helping her energy levels and mood stay steadier. What if your little one keeps asking for more, more, more? As long as the food in question is wholesome, it’s perfectly fine to say yes - your tot should decide when she’s had enough. Plus, it encourages your cutie to ignore her body’s natural hunger and fullness cues. Forcing toddlers to eat rarely works, and it sucks the fun out of mealtime for everyone. Once you plunk down her plate, let her decide what looks good and whether she’s up for chowing down or just taking a few nibbles. (Even when it comes to something that’s typically a favorite.) So instead, focus on offering age-appropriate portion sizes of a variety of healthy foods. You can’t always predict what your toddler will feel like eating or how much she’ll want. On the other hand, there may be meals or snacks (or even full days) where she barely seems to touch her food at all. Use them as a starting point for figuring out the right portion sizes for your mini muncher, keeping in mind that every child is different.įor instance, your toddler might need more food if she’s very active or when she’s going through a growth spurt. But they’re right on track for your tot’s tummy size and general calorie needs. The serving sizes listed above might seem a little paltry compared to what you typically eat. 1 tablespoon smooth nut butter (spread thinly to prevent choking) Toddler food portion sizes.1 to 2 ounces meat or tofu (about two to four 1-inch cubes or 2 to 4 tablespoons of ground meat).1/2 ounce cheese (a tablespoon of grated cheese, half of a slice, or a 1-inch cube) Protein.1/4 a small raw vegetable, cut into age-appropriate pieces Dairy.1 tablespoon cooked vegetables per year of age.1/4 cup cooked or canned fruit Vegetables.Some typical serving sizes to start with: Grains Your toddler’s tummy is tiny, remember - and if she’s still hungry, it’s perfectly fine to offer more. (Unless there’s a specific reason to limit a food, like you only have a little bit or it’s expensive.)īut you’re better off starting with a pint-sized helping instead of piling her plate high. The short answer? As much as she asks for until she’s satisfied. How Much Should a Toddler Drink? Toddler feeding chart: How much should I feed my toddler in one sitting? Your job is simply to provide meals and snacks at the planned times and let your little one eat according to her hunger or fullness cues. Toddlers are notorious for feasting at one meal or snack and just nibbling at another (or deciding to skip it altogether) - and that's completely normal. On the other hand, just because you offer food at the same time every day doesn’t mean your toddler will always eat the same amount. (We all know that feeling, right?) A routine also makes it easy for her to know when she’s set to eat next, making her less likely to ask for round-the-clock snacks. Serving food at regular, predictable times keeps your cutie from getting crabby because she’s over-hungry. The key with both meals and snacks is being consistent. Tots who go to bed long after dinner (or who tend not to eat much at dinner) might need a snack before heading off to sleep. Very early risers, for instance, might have a snack upon waking until everyone is ready for breakfast. Start with a mid-morning and mid-afternoon nosh, adding in a third snack if you consistently have a very long stretch in between meals. Plan on offering snacks at regular times each day instead of on demand. Your toddler’s sky-high activity levels coupled with a small tummy size means she needs to eat more often than you - roughly every two to three hours - to stay fueled. Most 1- to 3-year-olds thrive on three meals and two to three healthy snacks a day. How often and at what times should I feed my toddler?
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