20 month old baby food schedule

20 Months Old Baby Food Ideas Along with Recipes

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Video: Food Ideas for 20 Month Old Baby
Nutrient Requirements of 20 Months Old Children
How Much Food Does Toddler Need at 20th Months?
Best Foods for twenty-month-old Baby
Video: Diet Plan for a 20-Month-Old-Baby
20 Month Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan
Video: 20 Month Old Baby Food Recipes
Food Recipes for 20 Months Old Baby
Feeding Tips

Last Updated on June 15, 2020

By the time your little one reaches the age of 20 months, he will start throwing tantrums. He won’t accept what you feed him and those amazing breakfast that he loved earlier won’t work anymore. Children are at a peculiar stage when they approach two years, and their eating habits change as well. In such scenarios, keeping certain quick-to-prepare recipes at your fingertips and opting for a meal plan that he willingly accepts, can make your life easier.

Video: Food Ideas for 20 Month Old Baby

Nutrient Requirements of 20 Months Old Children

Even while putting together interesting lunch ideas for your 20-month child, it is important to keep in mind that certain nutrients are essential for a baby and you cannot do away with it. Following are the nutrient requirements of a 20-month-old child. Make sure your child gets these nutrients:

1.

Calories

Calories help provide energy for the body. The key aspect here is to know the difference between a diet that provides good nutrition as well as enough calories that power the core of the body. A balance is necessary in order to avoid a meal plan that skews towards either direction.

2. Proteins

Proteins are considered to be the building blocks of the body and are essential for toddlers, especially in their development stage. Ensure that his diet consists of adequate protein.

3. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates help provide fuel for the brain, muscles and nervous system.

4. Fibre

Fibre helps in proper bowel movement and proper digestion. A simple habit to ensure enough fibre content in your kid’s meal is to opt for whole food items instead of any processed stuff. Most of the times, many carbohydrate-rich food items have a substantial fibre content in them.

5. Sodium

Not many doctors or nutritionists stress on the necessity of sodium to be present in the child’s diet. All it takes is just 1 gram of sodium every day. Any reduction can severely hamper the nerve function in a kid.

6. Iron

Iron is required by the by the body for the proper functioning of the blood. Most kids that have an iron deficiency are primarily those that have a strong preference in their food choices. Iron supplements are barely needed, and most of it can also be obtained from vitamin C rich fruits or even utensils made from cast iron.

7. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed for children of this age as it helps to absorb calcium and improves bone growth. This can be found in milk and through adequate exposure to sunlight.

8. Water

Water helps in numerous bodily functions such as digestion, the creation of saliva and regulating body temperature. The activity of your child and the consumption of water needs to be directly proportional at all times. Even if your little one isn’t playing around all the time, keeping up with the daily water intake is essential in every way.

How Much Food Does Toddler Need at 20th Months?

The activities of your little one will begin to increase as he approaches the 2-year mark. Therefore, his calorie requirement will now begin to approach closer to 1400, even though his appetite stays more or less the same.

Best Foods for twenty-month-old Baby

Your dinner ideas for your little one can be enhanced by including certain foods in the diet of your 20-month-old baby.

1. Fruits

When it comes to including fruits for nutrition variety can make it so much easier. Mangoes, kiwi, berries of various types, grapes, bananas, and even dry fruits play a vital role in introducing numerous tastes and nutrients to your kid.

2. Eggs

Eating an egg every day can be great for your child’s health. Pair them up with bread to ensure a breakfast that provides all nutrients or even include them in various vegetable recipes.

3. Dairy Products

Apart from a glass of milk, there are multiple items such as cheese, yoghurt, kefir, that ought to be a part of your child’s diet. Lactose intolerant kids can opt for fortified alternatives.

4. Fatty Oils

Coconut oil and avocado oil have a special place in the diet of kids that are 20 months old. Appropriately served, these provide enough fat supply to the child, which creates energy reserves that keep the body going.

5. Vegetables

While leafy vegetables, as well as greens like peas, cauliflowers, broccoli and numerous other veggies, are good for your child, these are not the only sources. Simple tomato sauces and salsa do contain beneficial nutrients, too.

6. Meat

As your child comes closer to completing 2 years, you can start introducing small chunks of different meat items such as turkey, mutton, beef and so on. Make sure to start off slow and teach him to chew them properly.

7. Legumes And Nuts

Right from seeds such as hemp, chia, flaxseeds as well as legumes like peas, lentils, beans and many others, a couple of servings provided each day to your child would be a great addition to his nutrition.

8. Greens And Citrus Fruits

Leafy vegetables in a large proportion combined with fruits that are rich in vitamin C work together in providing the kid’s body with iron and helping it absorb within the system effectively. Red meat is known to do the same job, too.

9. Bread and Oatmeal

The reason oatmeal is highly recommended for kids, along with whole wheat bread, is the larger benefit, the inclusion of grain food items brings to their body. Quinoa is also suggested by most parents for kids between 1-2 years old.

10. Seafood

Seafood is a tad tricky since it does have some great benefits but also comes with the risk of arsenic or mercury poisoning. As long as you stick to specific fishes which are procured from reliable sources, your kids would benefit greatly from them.

Video: Diet Plan for a 20-Month-Old-Baby

20 Month Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

Here’s a diet chart for a 20-month-old baby to help you with planning his meals.

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 2

Breakfast	1 cup poha + 1 small glass fresh orange juice
Mid-morning	Pineapple raita
Lunch	Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber + hand pounded rice
Evening	Egg custard
Dinner	Shahi paneer with paratha and tomato and mushroom soup

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 3

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 5

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 7

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 2

Breakfast	Jowar (sorghum) puff kheer
Mid-morning	Kiwi slices
Lunch	Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber + hand pounded rice
Evening	Khakhara chaat
Dinner	Rajma (kidney beans) with toast

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 3

Breakfast	Boiled egg or paneer (cottage cheese) cubes
Mid-morning	Pear slices
Lunch	Multigrain roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of boiled beetroot + hand pounded rice
Evening	Curd with any fruit (except pomegranate and grapes)
Dinner	Appe with coconut and dahi (curd) chutney

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 5

Breakfast	Oats-almond kheer
Mid-morning	Custard apple mashed without seeds
Lunch	Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber+ hand pounded rice
Evening	Seviyan (vermicelli) upma + kesar (saffron) elaichi (green cardamom) milk
Dinner	Dal baati with grated carrot raita

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 7

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 2

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 3

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 5

Breakfast	Some jamun (black plum) or strawberries – (as per the season)
Mid-morning	Masala makhana (fox nuts) + banana milkshake
Lunch	Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber + hand pounded rice
Evening	Palak (spinach) soup with bread sticks and butter
Dinner	Appe with coconut and dahi (curd) chutney

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 7

Breakfast	Apple
Mid-morning	Pineapple cubes with chaat masala or honey
Lunch	Multigrain roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of boiled beetroot + hand pounded rice
Evening	2-3 whole wheat crackers with hummus
Dinner	Grated cucumber with coconut rice

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 2

Breakfast	Mixed grain dosa with mint and tomato chutney topped with paneer (cottage cheese)
Mid-morning	Sweet lime and orange juice
Lunch	Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber + hand pounded rice
Evening	Cucumber slices with dahi (curd) dip
Dinner	Palak (spinach) khichdi with curd or kadhi

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 3

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 5

Breakfast	Thepla with chunda and milk
Mid-morning	Banana + apple chaat
Lunch	Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber + hand pounded rice
Evening	Ragi (finger millet) ladoo
Dinner	Vegetable biryani

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 7

Video: 20 Month Old Baby Food Recipes

Food Recipes for 20 Months Old Baby

If you’re still figuring out what to feed my 20-month old that you can cook easily, these recipes can pave your way to make it happen.

1. Pumpkin Pancakes

These can be prepared and refrigerated in advance as well, to make for a quick and delicious breakfast.

Ingredients

Vanilla essence
Pumpkin puree
Eggs
Butter
Milk
Brown sugar
Salt
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Baking powder
Whole wheat flour

How to Prepare

Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and brown sugar together in a large bowl.

In another bowl, add milk, butter, eggs, puree and vanilla essence and mix it all well.

Pour this into the first bowl and whisk them until they are smooth. Let it sit for a while.

Use this batter to make pancakes on a pan coated with ghee at medium heat. Cook both sides to a golden brown colour and serve with honey or maple syrup.

2. Paneer Wheat Biscuits

Biscuits don’t have to be the same boring ones all the time. Here’s a great variant for you to try.

Ingredients

Salt
Curry leaves
Ajwain
Onion
Butter, salted
Baking powder
Whole wheat flour
Paneer, crumbled

How to Prepare

Preheat the oven to a temperature of 170 degrees and grease a tray.

Grind together curry leaves, ajwain and onions.

Take butter in a bowl and add paneer to it, while whisking it. Add in the flour along with other ingredients mixing it all together properly till it is stiff.

Cut out biscuit shapes from a thinly rolled layer of dough. Bake these in the oven for about 20 minutes and take them out once they get brown. Let them cool and then store in an airtight container.

3. Veg Manchurian

Homemade Chinese food is the best your kids will have, that is healthy and tasty at the same time.

Ingredients

Cornflour
Refined flour
Black pepper
Salt
Carrot
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Vegetable stock
Ketchup
Soy sauce
Ginger paste
Garlic
Onion
Oil

How to Prepare

Chop all veggies and mix them in a bowl with the flours to form a dough. Don’t add extra water.

Make balls from this dough and deep fry in a pan to a brown shade. Use a napkin to soak extra oil.

Take a pot and fry ginger garlic paste in it. Follow up by sautéing the onions and adding condiments and sauces.

Pour in the vegetable stock and let it boil. Add the cornflour paste to make it consistent and gently insert the fried balls in it.

4. Whole Wheat Cake

Give your little one a cake that is not just delicious but healthy all the way.

Ingredients

Baking powder
Banana
Dry fruits
Ghee
Jaggery
Milk
Wheat flour

How to Prepare

Fry the flour with ghee and let it cool down.

Blend the flour with jaggery and banana. Add fried nuts to the flour.

Coat a cooker plate with ghee and pour the mix into it. Add a little water to the cooker and let it cook on medium heat for half an hour without a whistle.

Let the cake cool down before serving.

5. Suji Kheer

A kheer might not seem like a meal for your child, but it turns out to be quite filling and lip-smacking than expected.

Ingredients

Water
Elaichi powder
Ghee
Suji, roasted

How to Prepare

Add water in a pan and let it boil.

Add the roasted suji and keep stirring to prevent the formation of lumps.

Let it cook for a bit then add some ghee, mixing it.

Once fully cooked, turn off the heat and add elaichi powder to it.

Feeding Tips

Keep a few tips in mind when preparing a meal plan and feeding your little one.

Make sure vegetables are included daily
Don’t force him to finish his plate if he doesn’t like it
Don’t let him eat too much of anything as well
If a child skips lunch, make sure the snack is judicious enough
Let dinners include meals that can be had luxuriously
If a child hates a food item, make sure you eat it as well
Let your kid sit with you on the same dinner table with the family
Keep track of allergies when introducing new food items
Choose to mash food items than giving him whole
Sugary items should be given within strict limits

Figuring out great snacks for a 20-month-old toddler won’t be as challenging as it seems, once you start looking at the possible combinations of everyday food items.

Disclaimer:

Each child is different and so use these meal plans as a trusted guide as per your discretion. You can modify the meals according to your child’s preferences / requirements.
Never force-feed a child.
While preparing formula, please follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon provided with it.
While introducing solid food to a baby, initially, one needs to prepare watery gruels/soups. As a child gets older, the caretaker/ mother has to increase the thickness of the liquids slowly according to the child’s capacity to swallow. Foods that are too thick can cause stomach upset/ unnecessary load; while excessively watery food might cause the child to remain hungry.
Some kids may eat less on some days and that is absolutely alright. However, if a child eats less for more than 3-4 consecutive days, please visit a doctor to guide further.
A child may eat less during the teething phase or if he/she may not be feeling well. You could increase breast milk /formula feeds on those days. Re-introduce the foods once the child is back to normal.
Don’t stop feeding if the child is suffering from diarrhoea.
You can alter the taste of the food by adding some natural flavours like cinnamon, jeera powder, lemon juice, curry leaves etc. if the child doesn’t accept the food initially.
If your child suffers from an allergy to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before feeding him/her any foods that may contain them.

Also Read: 17 to 20 Months Old Baby Food Ideas

17 to 20 Months Old Baby Food Chart Along With Recipes

Home Toddler Food & Nutrition Foods Ideas for 17-to-20-month-old Babies

At FirstCry Parenting, our aim is to give you the most elevant, accurate and up to date information.

The Best Foods for 17-to-20-month-old Babies
Foods That Should Not Be a Part of Your Toddler’s Diet
A Sample Food Chart/Meal Plan for 17-to-20-month-old Babies
Homemade Food Recipes for a 17-to-20-month-old Toddler
Tips to Make Mealtimes Fun and Safe

Last Updated on August 21, 2020

Getting children to eat healthy food is not an easy task. If you have a child, you know taking care of him is a lot of work. From making sure that you provide him with the best nutrition to ensuring that he meets his milestones on time – as a parent you have a lot to stress about. One important task is deciding meals for your little one. You will need to work nutritious foods in his diet from early on for his healthy growth and development, and to develop healthy eating habits in him. If you want to know which foods you should include in your baby’s diet, read on!

The Best Foods for 17-to-20-month-old Babies

If your baby is between 17 and 20 months old, he must be growing at a rapid rate. He will need the right kind of nutrition for his proper growth. A well-balanced diet that is rich in proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals is important for him. If you want to know which foods you should include in your child’s diet, read on!

1. Grains

Grains are super-healthy and can be included in your baby’s diet. You can add different grains like rice, millet, barley, etc., in his diet. Rice is the least allergenic grains and that is why it is recommended as one of the first foods for babies. Millets are a rich source of B vitamins, magnesium, and iron, and barley can provide your munchkin with Vitamin A, folate, and protein. You can also include quinoa in his diet as it is rich in iron, calcium, fibre, and protein. However, before including these grains, do check with your baby’s paediatrician first.

2. Vegetables

Now that your baby is a little older, you can introduce veggies to him. Veggies like pumpkins and carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, so include these in his diet. Apart from these, you can also give him boiled peas, edamame beans, and cucumber.

3. Fruits

You can include citrus fruits such as oranges and sweet lime and other fruits like apples, bananas, berries, and pears. If avocados are easily available in your area, make them a part of your child’s diet too. Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and are a must-include in a growing child’s diet.

4. Nuts

Dried fruits and nuts can help your child gain healthy weight. You can start off by giving your toddler small pieces of almonds and walnuts (nicely chopped) either in a meal or on the side. These nuts should be chopped well as your little one might end up choking on them. You can also powder them and add it to his glass of milk.

5. Milk

If your little one is above 12 months of age, include a glass of milk in his daily diet. But if your child is lactose intolerant, consult a paediatrician with regards to the inclusion of milk in his diet.

6. Other Dairy Products

Cheese, clarified butter, butter, cottage cheese, and yoghurt can also be given as a snack to toddlers. You can also include these in his meals. Dairy products are a rich source of calcium and protein and will keep your child full.

7. Eggs

Eggs are a versatile food and can be included in a child’s diet, but it’s best to start them after your child turns two years of age. Boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, omelette would make for a great breakfast option. Eggs are high in protein, low in cholesterol, and good for overall health. So make them a part of your baby’s diet.

Foods That Should Not Be a Part of Your Toddler’s Diet

Given below are the two common foods that should not go into your child’s daily diet if he is between 17 and 20 months old.

1. Meat

While meat is a good source of protein and extremely nutritious, it should not be a part of a toddler’s diet. Why? The animal proteins are allergenic in nature and should be avoided in the initial two years of life.

2. Fish

Fish is also healthy but some kinds of fish may affect your child’s health negatively, so it is best avoided.

A Sample Food Chart/Meal Plan for 17-to-20-month-old Babies

Preparing meals for your baby won’t be difficult if you have a meal plan at your disposal. Given below is a sample food chart for babies between the ages of 17 and 20 months. You can use this sample meal plan as a guide and give it your own twist. Check out the plan below –

Day	Breakfast	Mid-Day Snack	Lunch	Evening Snack	Dinner
Monday	1 ragi dosa + a small glass of milk	2/3 slices of apple	1 cup lemon rice + sambar	Porridge with honey and cinnamon	1/2 cup of tomato soup +1/2 cup of whole wheat pasta
Tuesday	1 cup of oatmeal with banana slices	½ cup of watermelon	1/2 cup of rice + 1/2 chole + 1-2 slices of carrot and cucumber	1/2 cup fruit yoghurt	1 roti +1/4 cup of palak paneer
Wednesday	1 small bowl of vegetable upma	Papaya milkshake	1 cup of vegetable pulao + 1 bean sabzi	Carrot and cucumber slices with pumpkin dip	1 cup of vegetable tehri
Thursday	1 small bowl of poha + fresh orange juice	Grapes cut into halves	1 cup of vegetable khichdi + curd	Banana -strawberry Smoothie	1 roti with ghee + lauki ki sabzi
Friday	Vegetable sandwich (made with brown bread) + Watermelon juice (freshly squeezed)	Banana slices	1 roti with ghee + carrot and bean sabzi	Cornflakes with milk	1 cup of red rice + black dal
Saturday	Vermicelli/ Seviyan upma	Banana smoothie	1 cup of yellow dal + rice (small portion)	2 whole-wheat crackers/biscuits	½ cup of mashed dal rice
Sunday	1 small aloo paratha + curd	½ cup of strawberries	1 cup of wheat porridge with milk	½ cup milk+1 small hara bhara kebab	1 methi paratha + tomato chutney

Source: http://www. shishuworld.com/18-month-baby-food-chart-toddler-food-chart-meal-plan-for-18-monthsbaby/

Homemade Food Recipes for a 17-to-20-month-old Toddler

For your almost 2-year-old baby, you are free to give anything he is willing to eat. So, do not be afraid to experiment. Your infant will enjoy all kinds of food made with a little less spice. Here are some simple and delicious recipes for you to try.

1. Pumpkin Dip

Pumpkin is packed with Vitamin A and can be used to make pumpkin dip which your child can enjoy with apples or cucumbers. Here’s how you can make it.

Ingredients

1 canned pumpkin
½ tsp salt to taste
½ tsp pepper
A dash of lemon (additional ingredient)

Method

Take all the ingredients together in a bowl and whip them well.
Serve with slices of apple or cucumber.

2. Risotto Primavera

This Italian dish is packed with vegetables and protein and makes for a good lunch option.

Ingredients

1 onion (finely chopped)
1 small leek (thoroughly washed and finely chopped)
2 tsp of olive oil
A small portion of risotto rice
Vegetable or chicken stock (as needed)
1/2 cup of frozen peas
1 small carrot (finely chopped)
1 tbsp of butter
1 tbsp of lemon juice
A block of parmesan cheese

Method

Take the butter in a pan and sauté the leek and onions for about 5-6 minutes.
Add the rice and stir and let it cook until the rice turns translucent.
Add a bowl full of stock and stir frequently till it is completely absorbed and cooked.
Add more stock, stir, and cook the rice gently till it is tender.
Once the rice is cooked, grate some parmesan cheese and garnish it on top before serving.

3. Mediterranean Salad

Lightly tossed vegetables and greens mixed with some lemon dressing are a smart option for a quick meal.

Ingredients

1 cup of cooked quinoa
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/3 cup of vinegar
1/2 an onion (chopped)
1 bell pepper, red (chopped)
1 tomato (chopped)
8 black olives (canned)
1 cup of cilantro (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of black pepper (ground)
1 cup of feta cheese crumbles
1 lemon (medium)

Method

Take the cooked quinoa and keep it aside in a bowl.
Take some olive oil in a pan and toss some onions, bell pepper, tomato, and cilantro in it.
Add the quinoa and veggies to a bowl and sprinkle some feta crumbs on top.
Sprinkle some lemon juice and serve.

4. Oatmeal With Banana

This breakfast recipe packs in fibre and vitamins. It will also keep your child full for long.

Ingredients Needed

1 small cup of rolled oats
1 small cup of almond milk or water
1 banana (sliced)
1 tsp of cinnamon

Method

Cook the oats slowly with some almond milk in a pan. Stir occasionally.
Once it’s nice and soft, add a dash of cinnamon for a slight sweetness.
Before serving, add chopped bananas on top.

5. Avocado on Toast

Avocado is rich in healthy fats and can meet your child’s requirements for healthy fats. It tastes delicious too. Check the recipe below –

Ingredients

1 large ripe avocado
1 banana (if required)
4 slices of bread (whole wheat)
Some cheese (optional)
Salt and pepper as per taste

Method

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Then scoop out the flesh and mash it in a bowl until its creamy.
Sprinkle some salt and pepper for taste.
Toast the bread slices and spread the mashed avocado on them.
Season with slices of banana or shredded cheese.

Tips to Make Mealtimes Fun and Safe

We understand that getting babies to eat food served on their plate is not an easy job. The minute you don’t pay attention to your baby, the food on his plate will be on the walls and floor of the room and he will have a triumphant smile on his face. We know, this might stress you out, but calm down! We have a few tips that will make mealtimes fun for your little one. Have a look at them. We are also sharing some tips that will come in handy when you feed your little one.

Getting babies and toddlers to eat food is not easy once they develop a taste. Most likely, your child will say ‘no’ to certain foods and throw tantrums when you try to get him to eat them. But you don’t have to force him. To get him to eat broccoli, try some clever ways. Make the food colourful so that your child can’t deny it. For example, instead of serving him boiled broccoli alone, you can give him two small broccoli florets, two thin slices of boiled carrot, and a few slices of cucumber. This way the food on his plate will look colourful and he will most likely be tempted to eat it.
Refrain from setting a ‘clean plate’ rule for your toddler. Serve him two-three options and let him choose what he wants to eat. The more you set rules, the more he will defy them. So, take it easy with your kiddo.
Try the reward system – it always works! By rewards, we don’t mean that you get him a toy car every time he finishes the food served on his plate. What we are trying to say is that you praise him whenever he does something good. For example, if he finishes the food on his plate, praise him a little. You can say, “Good job!” A little appreciation will go a long way in developing healthy eating habits in him.
If you want your child to eat a particular vegetable, first, you eat it. Be a good role model; your child observes you and learns from you so in order to get him to eat something, show him how it’s done. Let your child learn the habit of healthy eating from you.
To keep your little one interested in his meals, we suggest that you offer him a variety. Your baby may get bored of eating the same food daily, so introduce new foods. You can introduce different foods to your child to expand his palate and to make mealtimes interesting for him.
Introducing new foods surely will keep your child interested. Having said that, we suggest that you introduce new foods in his diet gradually. If you want to make him try a particular food, give a small portion of it. And after having introduced that food, wait for at least three days before you introduce another food. This time period will help him develop a taste for that food and will help you identify any signs of allergy in him.
When your little one is having food, monitor him closely to ensure that he doesn’t choke on his food. If you notice that he is choking on his food or is coughing slightly, help him spit the food.
Serve small pieces of food so that your child can chew them easily. And let your take his time at mealtimes – let him child savour his meals.
If you have a hectic schedule, consider meal planning in advance for your child. Decide what you will cook for him a day in advance or on weekends. You can also cut certain veggies and freeze them so that you can use them throughout the week.
You can also start giving him small harmless cutlery such as spoons to help him learn how to eat with a spoon.
Lastly, consult your paediatrician before introducing fish or heavy meat.
For your baby’s healthy development, make sure he eats healthy food, which is rich in protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and healthy fats.

There you go – you have everything you need to make mealtimes fun for your kiddo. You know what foods to include in your child’s diet and how to include them, so go on and offer him these foods. Make the foods suggested above for your kiddo and get him to eat nutritious foods. Trust us, your little one will be just fine!

Also Read: Food Ideas for 1-Year-Old Baby

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Nutrition for children from 1 to 3 years of age

The period from 1 to 3 years of life is a crucial stage in the transition to an adult type of nutrition, which has certain features. In order to ensure that all the necessary nutrients enter the child's body and at the same time prevent an excess of individual nutrients, nutrition should be balanced and varied.

The daily amount of food for children aged 1 to 1.5 years should be 1000-1200 g, from 1.5 to 3 years - 1200-1500 g, the amount of food in one feeding should not exceed 300-350 ml. The diet consists of three main meals per day and two snacks. It is considered optimal when breakfast is 25% of the total energy density of the diet, lunch is 30–35%, dinner is 20%, and additional meals are about 10%. In general, the child can eat the same food as the rest of the family.

In the diet of a child of 1–3 years of age , must be present daily: meat of animals or poultry, dairy and sour-milk products, vegetables, fruits, bread, cereals, vegetable and butter; fish and eggs are included in the diet 2-3 times a week.

Cereal products: bread - 2-3 servings per day, cereals and side dishes - 1 time per day
Fruit and/or vegetables: at least 5 times a day
Dairy products: at least 3 servings per day (including those used to make cereals, yoghurts, fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese, infant formula or breast milk).

Domestic pediatricians recommend, when compiling a diet for children aged 1–3 years, preference should be given to specialized children's dairy products of industrial production that meet high quality requirements and safety indicators for this age. Most children's dairy products are additionally enriched with vitamins and/or minerals and other biologically active components, taking into account the physiological needs of children of this age. At the same time, in foreign recommendations, children over 1 year old are offered the gradual introduction of whole cow's milk, which is rich in fats necessary for proper growth and development, the absorption of vitamins A and D, the development of the brain and nervous system of the child.

Meat dishes: 2-3 times a day
Fish dishes: 2-3 servings per week
Eggs: 2-3 per week
Dietary fats: 3-4 teaspoons of butter and/or vegetable oils per day

When cooking, use the minimum amount of salt and sugar, and do not add them to industrial products.

Offer your child a variety of foods and let them choose for themselves. Children love to eat on their own, so if possible, offer food that the child can eat with their hands.

It is important to remember that a baby can choke on pieces of food, so whatever you give your baby should be crushed or cut into small pieces that can be easily chewed.

Do not give to a small child: nuts, whole grapes, cherry tomatoes (unless quartered), whole carrots, seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds), round candies, legumes, raisins, because a child can eat them choke.

Also in the diet of children of the first 3 years of life should not be present:

Mushrooms; canned snacks, pickled vegetables and fruits
Home canned food
Dry concentrates for side dishes
Hot sauces, mustard, horseradish, pepper, vinegar, mayonnaise
Natural coffee
Juices and drinks in the form of dry concentrates; sweet carbonated drinks
Products containing food additives (flavorings, dyes of artificial origin, including chewing gum), popcorn
Combined fats; cakes and pastries

It is important to remember that children of this age should not be given too spicy and spicy foods.

Nutrition of a child in the 2nd year of life: regime, diet, menu, necessary products | Mamovediya

The child in this period of life grows intensively and therefore must receive nutrition that quantitatively and qualitatively satisfies the needs of his body.

Nutrition should be rational: balanced and consistent with the daily routine. Balance - the inclusion of all the necessary nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, trace elements) in the appropriate proportions that the child's body can absorb.

Nutrition is considered rational if it meets the age needs of the child and is carried out according to the daily routine.

In addition, the so-called rational nutrition includes the culinary processing of food used for a given age, and the correct methodological methods of parents in the process of feeding a child.

The atmosphere surrounding the baby during the meal, the appearance of the dishes served should excite the child's appetite.

Child's appetite is a state of organic need for food, expressed in the child's desire to eat. At the same time, an adequate positive attitude of the child to food is noted.

A good appetite, as a rule, depends not only on how well the menu is compiled, but also on the correct organization of the feeding process. To form and maintain a good appetite, parents must clearly know: what, when and how to feed the child.

How nice it is to feed a child who has a good appetite. It brings pleasure to adults and great benefits for the baby. However, very often it is necessary to observe cases of violation of normal appetite from small deviations (decrease in appetite, refusal of certain dishes) up to its complete absence (anorexia - as it is called in medical practice).

A child with a decrease or lack of appetite at the mere sight of writing or a reminder of food expresses protest, turns away, defends himself, tightly closes his lips and teeth. It looks like an unnatural negative reaction of the baby to food. Why does a child lose his appetite? Who is to blame for this? The reasons often lie in the wrong method of feeding (strong pressure on the child's tongue with a spoon, the child's lack of interest in food), in the negative sensations associated with eating (too hot food, poor taste), improper organization of the situation during feeding (distraction with a book, toy, punishment), etc.

Many parents, seeing a decrease in appetite, try to force-feed their child, but this further reinforces the child's negative attitude towards food and everything connected with it. This is strictly prohibited.

If a child suddenly lost his appetite, first of all think about whether you could have made mistakes in the process of upbringing and feeding, in especially persistent cases, you should consult a pediatrician.

During feeding, do not forget to introduce the child to the names of dishes (soup, cutlet, compote, etc. ) and the properties of objects (food is tasty, sweet, sour, salty, hot, cold, a large spoon, a small one, etc.) .). In this way, the child will form the first ideas, concepts.

Eating processes should be organized in such a way that the child has a desire to eat. Before eating, you should arrange a calm pause after a long walk or noisy and active games.

You should not give your child new interesting toys shortly before feeding, and quickly take them away before eating. By doing this, you will cause a strong emotional reaction that will slow down food arousal and reduce appetite.

While eating with a child, one should only talk about what is connected with this process, concentrating his attention on food, developing the child's active participation in eating.

A child's appetite is increased not only by deliciously prepared food, but also by its beautiful design, attractive dishes specially painted for children. Children should only be seated at the table when food has already been served. You should not put all the dishes on the table at once, the child is distracted from the first dish, reaches for the third or second, as a result, the sequence of eating is disturbed. Remember that many violations in the health of the baby are associated with errors in his diet.

By the age of 1 year 3 months, the baby can already eat solid food with a spoon, and at 1 year 6 months he can eat any food - thick and liquid. Try to develop these independent skills and abilities that are very important for later life in your son or daughter. How joyful it is to look at a baby who skillfully takes food from a plate with a spoon, without mistake brings it to his mouth and actively removes it with his lips. Something, of course, still pours from the spoon past and remains on the lips or chin of the child, but these errors in eating will soon pass, and the baby will learn to carefully eat the entire portion. Remember that a large amount of food contributes to a decrease in appetite, and an insufficient one does not cause a feeling of satiety.

A child of this age should be able to chew food. Make sure that he does not keep the pieces in his mouth for a long time, but swallows them in time.

A child of the 2nd year of life is fed 4 times a day with an interval of 3.5-4.5 hours. However, in the first half of the year, the baby can receive another fifth feeding - kefir or milk at 23-24 hours if he wakes up at night or at 6 o'clock in the morning.

Establishing rational nutrition is painstaking and very responsible work, but if you do it systematically, without giving "indulgence" to yourself and your child, then your reward will be good health and good physical development of the baby.

When compiling the menu, it is necessary to correctly distribute how much and what kind of food the child will receive during the day. Feed your baby 4-5 times a day. In the morning it is better to cook dairy dishes, lunch should always consist of soup, meat in the form of mashed potatoes or meatballs with a vegetable side dish, compote or jelly, fruits, kefir are given in the afternoon, a vegetable dish is prepared for dinner.

The one-time amount of food consumed in children of the 2nd year of life is different - up to 1.5 years, somewhat less than in the second half of the year.

Under no circumstances should children of this age be given food from the common table. This is very harmful. Malnutrition of a child older than a year will undoubtedly affect his health in the future. Injury by coarse food to the still unprotected mucous membrane of the child's stomach, the stressed state of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract lead to the formation of early gastritis, enteritis, cholecystitis and other diseases.

The menu can be diversified by replacing meat with cottage cheese, fish, eggs, introducing a variety of vegetable or cereal dishes, changing the culinary processing of food (mashed potatoes, cutlets, jelly, compote, etc.), improving its taste, adding greens (dill, parsley, celery, etc.).

If a dairy dish is served for breakfast, then in the afternoon you should feed the baby with vegetables and vice versa; if vegetable soup is prepared for lunch, then the second dish should be cereal, etc. To maintain appetite, make sure that meals are not repeated during the day.

This set of products does not have to be used every day, and it is practically difficult, for example, to measure 3 g of cheese for a child. It is important that during the week the proposed list of products be used in baby food. Therefore, cheese can be used once a week and immediately in the amount of 20 g (3 x 7, say, give the baby vermicelli with grated cheese for breakfast.

A few words about food products intended for baby food, or rather, their brief description.

Milk and dairy products. Natural milk can be given to a child only after boiling. One-day kefir and cottage cheese are very useful. Milk should be boiled in a heavy-bottomed saucepan with the lid closed. When preparing dishes from milk (porridge, mashed potatoes), raw milk is added and allowed to boil once with ready-made cereals or vegetables. Milk must not be boiled twice. It should be remembered that excessive milk reduces the child's appetite, so milk should not be given to quench thirst instead of water.

Oils. In the diet of children of the 2nd year of life, both butter and vegetable oil can be used, and the amount of vegetable oil should not exceed 10-15% of the total amount of oil consumed per day (i.e., not more than 2 g per day) . Vegetable oil should be stored in a sealed container, protected from light and air. It cannot be boiled, so it is better to lay it in the finished dish. In the diet of children, it is not recommended to use refractory fats - beef, pork, cooking oil, and margarine.

Meat and meat products. Lean beef, rabbit meat, chickens are useful for children You can use offal - liver, tongue, heart, brains, chicken giblets. Meat should not be soaked in water, as this transfers some of the nutrients into the water. The liver should be fried under the lid and given to the child in a puréed semi-liquid form. For children under 1.5 years old, meat, like other food, should be cooked pureed. This is due to the absence of chewing teeth in a child at this age, the underdevelopment of chewing muscles and the insufficient activity of digestive juices.

Fish and fish products. Children can only be given low-fat varieties of fish - hake, cod, sea bass, pike perch. Fish is equivalent to meat in its nutritional properties, but, in addition, it contains trace elements important for the growth and development of the child (iodine, phosphorus, copper, etc.). Keto or sturgeon caviar should be treated with caution, as it can cause unwanted allergic reactions in children.

Eggs. It is recommended to give children only chicken eggs and be sure to boil them. Raw eggs should not be served, as they can be contaminated with pathogens due to the porosity of the shell, and raw protein is poorly digested in the stomach, and raw yolk can cause allergies. Duck, goose, and eggs of other birds are prohibited from being included in the children's menu.

Bread and bakery products. It is useful for children to give both rye and wheat bread. You can give bagels, bagels, crackers, by the way, children love them very much.

Cereals and pasta. The most valuable in terms of mineral composition are bean, buckwheat, oat and millet groats. But you can use their other types - semolina, peas, as well as pasta. The groats are boiled in water (oatmeal and buckwheat - for l '/g h, millet - 1 hour, semolina - 20 minutes), then unboiled milk is added, and after removing the porridge from the heat - butter and sugar to taste.

Sugar and confectionery . In children's food - in tea, milk, cereals, compotes, kissels - you can add sugar, but in moderation. Remember that excess sugar is harmful to a child, as it can contribute to obesity or diabetes. Other sweets are recommended marmalade, jams, marshmallows, marshmallows, cookies, especially oatmeal, waffles. Do not give children cakes with rich creams, chocolates and chocolates, as well as lollipops, especially rounded ones.

Vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs. All these products are very useful for young children, because, in addition to vitamins, they contain fiber, organic acids, pectin, tannins and volatile substances, as well as minerals and trace elements. Raw vegetables can also be used in children's nutrition. At the same time, they must be thoroughly washed, poured over with boiling water, and then grated on a fine grater. Fruits and berries are best given fresh to a child, and raw juice should be added to a boiled fruit and berry dish. In the nutrition of children, you can use canned vegetables and fruits specially prepared for baby food, as well as compotes, juices, freshly frozen and dried vegetables and fruits. Boil vegetables and fruits in a saucepan with a lid to preserve as many vitamins as possible.

From 1 year to 1 year 3 months

You can be told about the methods of preparing various children's meals by a district nurse or a nurse in a healthy child's office in a children's polyclinic.

The menu for a baby at this age can be compiled as follows:

Breakfast

Porridge (vegetable puree) -150.0
Tea with milk (milk) -100.0
Bread with butter
Lunch
- Soup (vegetable, meat) -100. 0
- Meat puree (cutlet) - 40.0
- Greener (vegetable puree, vermichel) - 50.0
- compote (fruit juice) —100.0
Salt 9000 9000 9000 9000
Curd - 30.0

kefir (milk) with a bun of –150.0

Fruits - 50.0

Dinner

Puree vegetable (porridge) –150.0

with milk –150.0

9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 dinner

Kefir (milk) -150.0

Recall that the second dinner is provided for those children who wake up at 23-24 hours.

From 1 year 3 months to 1 year 6 months vegetable oil. This is a very healthy dish, because, in addition to the vitamins it contains, it makes the baby chew food thoroughly, which means it stimulates the development of the child's chewing apparatus.

The following foods can be included in a sample menu:

breakfast

Porridge (vegetable puree) –150. 0

Tea with milk (milk) –150.0

Bread with oil

Salad from vegetables - 10.0
Soup —150.0
Cutlet (meat, fish, liver) — 50.0
Garnish (cereal, vegetable) — 80.0
Compote —100.0
Snack
Cottage cheese — 50.0 9018
Fruit -100.0
Tea with biscuits -150.0

Dinner

Vegetable puree (porridge) -150.0
Kefir (milk) -150.0

From 1 year 6 months to 1 year 9 months

Are children counted as taste? Children very early begin to distinguish tasty food from tasteless, they have favorite and unloved dishes. Try not to include foods that are vital for the development of the child's body.

Sample menu for a child at this age.

breakfast

Ground carrots - 30.0
Dairy porridge --150.0
Tea with milk –150.0
Bread with oil

9000 9000

Soup (shchi, borscht) -100.

Meat puree (patty) - 60.0

Garnish (vegetable, cereal) -100.0

Fruit juice -100.0

Kefir with a bun -200.0
Fruit -100.0

Dinner

Vegetable- (porridge) –200.0
Milk (kefir) –150.0

from 1 year to two years

Children's food in this age period in this age period it can be liquid, semi-liquid, steamed, and also in the form of pieces (for the development of the child's chewing apparatus). The kid should equally willingly eat any food, no matter in which of the listed types it is served. We recommend the following menu:

Breakfast