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Food 12 month old baby


12 Healthy and Practical Foods for 1-Year-Olds

Foods that help meet toddlers’ nutritional needs can include fruit, hummus, whole-grain pancakes, and yogurt.

Your 1-year-old is changing, growing, and discovering at a whirlwind pace. Making sure they’re getting the foods they need may be a concern.

Inconsistent food choices and a fickle appetite are par for the course at this age. As frustrating as it might be, this is entirely normal as your toddler establishes independence and learns to discern their body’s fullness and hunger cues.

By the time they reach 12 months, toddlers need about 1,000 calories, 700 mg of calcium, 600 IU of vitamin D, and 7 mg of iron each day to support proper growth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (1).

With so much going on, you might be wondering how to best feed your 1-year-old without spending all day in the kitchen or chasing after them.

Here are 12 healthy and practical foods for 1-year-olds.

Around this time your 1-year-old starts to develop their pincer grasp, which involves pinching and maneuvering food with their fingertips, as they endeavor to self-feed. This is a great time to introduce finger-friendly foods.

Softer, fresh fruits are wonderful options for this transitional time and beyond. They not only deliver needed nutrients and a host of beneficial plant chemicals but also help cement healthy eating habits (2).

Slice bananas, clementines, strawberries, peaches, or mango, and slowly introduce them to your child. Avoid large pieces of fruit, as they may pose a choking hazard. Cut grapes into halves or quarters and never feed these to your child whole.

If your child doesn’t immediately take to the new fruit, don’t stress. In fact, studies show a child typically needs to be exposed to a new food 6–15 times before accepting it into their diet (3).

Soft fresh fruits can also be easily made into a smoothie or make an excellent snack when you’re on the go.

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, make sure your child eats any cut-up fruit within 2 hours after being out of the fridge. If you’re outside and it’s over 90°F (32°C), that time shrinks to within 1 hour (4).

Summary

Soft, bite-sized bits of fruit are excellent choices, especially as your child experiments with self-feeding. Be sure they eat any cut-up fruit that’s been out of the fridge within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if you’re in hot temperatures.

As your child may be slowly weaning off breast milk or formula, it’s a good time to introduce cow’s milk.

Milk and yogurt are great sources of protein and bone-building calcium, which also benefits their developing teeth. One glass (244 ml) of whole milk offers 39% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium that your 1-year-old needs each day, as well as 8 grams of protein (5).

While you may continue to offer breast milk until 2 years of age or longer, whole fat dairy milk or yogurt may also be introduced at mealtimes or as a snack. Yogurt can be topped with diced fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.

Honey can be introduced now at this age, but be sure to never feed it to a child under 12 months of age. Doing so can put them at risk of botulism, a serious infection (6).

Though dairy is generally safe at this age, be sure to watch for signs of a casein allergy.

Casein is a protein in milk. It’s different from lactose, which is a sugar found in milk that many adults don’t digest well (7).

A casein allergy manifests in about 2–3% of children under the age of 3, although more than 80% outgrow it. It seems to be most prevalent in children who were introduced to cow’s milk in infancy when breastfeeding was not an option (7, 8).

Be sure to introduce new foods, including milk and dairy products, to your child slowly. In fact, it’s a good idea to do so one food at a time and wait 3–5 days between the introduction of another new food to see how their body reacts (7).

Symptoms of casein allergy include wheezing, hives, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your child experiences these or other reactions when you are introducing them to a new food, stop feeding them this food and speak to their healthcare provider (7, 9).

Also, consult your child’s pediatrician before giving them plant-based milk alternatives, as these are generally not recommended for toddlers due to their lack of essential nutrients for growth.

Summary

Whole milk and yogurt are great options as your child weans off formula or breast milk. These provide protein and support bone growth. You can offer them at mealtimes or as snacks.

Little ones won’t master the jaw-grinding motion, which helps with proper chewing, until they’re about 4 years old. In the meantime, their food must be mashed or cut up into small, easy-to-chew pieces (10).

Oatmeal is a wonderful option as your child makes this transition into chewing. It’s easy to swallow and boasts an impressive nutritional profile with a hearty heap of protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats (11).

What’s more, oats provide ample amounts of fiber, which helps keep their digestive tracts healthy and regular (12).

While premixed packages are tempting, opt for your own homemade blend when possible to limit their intake of added sugar. If you’re strapped for time, consider making overnight oats by simply soaking them in the fridge overnight.

Mixing your oats with milk instead of water will also pack a bit more nutrients into your child’s bowl. Serve these topped with diced strawberries, bananas, or your child’s favorite raw fruit.

Summary

Oatmeal is a nutritional powerhouse and offers an easy-to-swallow texture, which is helpful as your child develops the skills for proper chewing. Opt for homemade oatmeal over packets to limit added sugar, or try overnight oats.

Pancakes are popular among kids, and whole grains are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Thus, whole grain pancakes are a natural solution to what to serve your 1-year-old (13).

Whole grain pancakes deliver gut-friendly prebiotics, which help feed beneficial gut bacteria. They’re also finger-friendly when cut into bite-sized pieces (14).

Whip these up or buy a mix with 100% whole grains. After sizzling them on a skillet or griddle, top them with freshly sliced soft fruits, applesauce, or a drizzle of honey.

You can even smear a very thin layer of creamy nut butter to add extra protein. Although, given that tree nuts are a common allergen, be sure to introduce this food into their diet slowly.

Summary

Whole grain pancakes are a practical and healthy choice for your 1-year-old. Whip up your own mix or buy a premade 100% whole grain mix. Top them with your child’s favorite soft fruit, a thin layer of nut butter, or a drizzle of honey.

Eggs are a powerhouse food for kids and adults alike.

They support eye health and proper brain development, and they’re rich in protein, healthy fats, and a host of other nutrients (15, 16, 17, 18).

Scramble them or serve them hard-boiled and peeled. Be sure to cut either of these into bite-sized pieces, especially as your toddler endeavors to self-feed.

Note that eggs are among the eight most common allergy-causing foods for children. Most children outgrow the allergy, but it’s important to watch for symptoms, which can include hives, nasal congestion, digestive issues, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Eggs can but rarely cause anaphylaxis, a severe life threatening reaction that can constrict airways or cause lightheadedness or loss of consciousness. Speak with a pediatrician if you are concerned about an egg allergy (19).

Summary

Eggs are excellent for toddlers and adults alike. They’re particularly supportive of eye health and proper brain development. Plus, they boast an impressive nutritional profile and can be part of a healthy meal or snack.

Tofu is a great source of iron, calcium, and protein — with firm tofu boasting the greatest concentrations (20).

A 2-ounce (56-gram) portion of firm tofu provides almost 1 mg of iron, or nearly 14% of the DV for your child. The same serving also provides 12% of their daily calcium needs (20).

Served sweet or savory, tofu is wonderfully versatile. Silken tofu can be blended into smoothies or mashed into bananas, avocado, or cottage cheese. Its flavor is neutral, so all this will do is provide some hearty nutrition.

Toss cubed firm tofu into soups, or stir-fry it with your favorite gentle seasonings. You can also break firm tofu up with your hands and scramble it with your favorite soft vegetables, such as diced bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.

If your child has a diagnosed soy allergy, you want to avoid tofu. If this allergy runs in your family, you should speak with your pediatrician.

Summary

Tofu, whether silken or firm, is packed with iron, calcium, and protein. It is wonderfully versatile and can accompany sweet or savory dishes. Add silken tofu to smoothies or scramble firm tofu with soft veggies.

Soft bits of chicken or ground turkey can be great ways to incorporate more protein into your child’s diet. This nutrient is needed for proper growth (21).

Begin by feeding them puréed chicken, turkey, or soft cuts of meat. Poach the protein first, then add milk, broth, or yogurt to soften this mix in the blender or food processor. As they get more comfortable with self-feeding, sauté ground meat or cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.

Avoid any tough or stringy cuts of meat, as these might be too difficult for your child to chew or swallow. Also, steer clear of spicy or strong seasonings, which might upset their gentle stomachs.

Summary

Softer cuts of meat like chicken or turkey can be a fountain of protein for your growing tot. Feed them puréed poached meats. As they get better at chewing, sauté ground or small bite-sized pieces. Avoid strong flavors.

Avocados are a fantastic food to feed your 1-year-old. Their creamy texture is especially helpful during this transitional period, while their impressive nutritional profile supports your child’s growth (22).

What’s more, 30–40% of your toddler’s calories should come from fat, according to the American Heart Association (23).

Avocados are packed with healthy fats, which benefit your child’s brain and heart. Half a cup (75 grams) of diced, raw avocado provides nearly 9 grams of healthy unsaturated fats (24).

Cube or mash them and smear them on whole grain toast or a cracker. Experiment with blending avocado with other soft-textured fruits and vegetables, such as cooked butternut squash or sweet potato.

Summary

Avocados pack healthy fats and fiber while providing an ideal transitional texture for your toddler. Cube or mash them or blend them with other favorite fruits and veggies.

As your tyke weans off breast milk or formula, they need to hydrate. Water is an optimal choice. Fill up their sippy cups and replenish as often as they need.

Your 1-year-old should be getting at least one 8-ounce glass (237 ml) of water a day. They may need more if they’re active, ill, or in hot temperatures. Also, they will need more as they get older (25).

When in doubt, check their diapers — they should be urinating at least every 6 hours.

Summary

Water should be provided as your tyke weans off breast milk or formula. At this age, they should get at least 1 cup (237 ml) each day.

Steaming vegetables, such as broccoli, peas, and carrots, is an excellent way to introduce your child to this important food group.

Broccoli, carrots, and peas pack fiber and vitamin C. What’s more, carrots contain lutein, which supports eye health, while peas pack muscle-building proteins (26, 27, 28).

Venture out with other veggies, including steamed parsnips, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, too. Serve these with a lemony yogurt dip or hummus.

You’ll want to hold off on serving any of these raw, as they’re still too tough to chew.

Summary

Steaming veggies softens them to an ideal texture for your growing tot. Broccoli, carrots, and peas are great choices, but feel free to venture out.

Half a cup (130 grams) of mashed beans provides nearly 39% of the DV for iron for your child (29).

Mashed beans — whether they’re black, kidney, or white beans — are a rich source of iron, which your child needs to keep their blood cells healthy (30).

Serving these alongside a food high in vitamin C, such as broccoli, diced tomatoes, or mashed sweet potatoes, will help them absorb iron much more efficiently (31).

This iron and vitamin C combo is especially important if your toddler doesn’t eat meat, as the body absorbs heme iron from animal sources more efficiently than nonheme iron from plant sources (31, 32).

Summary

Mashed beans boast impressive nutrients, including iron. This is especially important for your child’s health and helps keep their blood cells healthy. Eat beans with vitamin-C-rich foods to help boost iron absorption.

Hummus blends chickpeas and sesame butter, which pair to provide a bounty of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals (33).

Spread hummus on some whole grain crackers or serve it alongside your child’s favorite protein source, a piece of cheese, or steamed veggie.

There are great store-bought options, but if you’re feeling inspired, this is an easy one to whip up. Simply combine a bit of garlic, sesame butter (tahini), chickpeas, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.

Still, keep in mind that sesame seeds, which are used to make sesame butter, are among the top 10 most common food allergens, accounting for 17% of food allergies in children. Only 20–30% of affected kids outgrow it (34).

For this reason, be sure to introduce this and other sesame-containing foods to your child in very small amounts and watch for common reactions like hives and vomiting (34).

Summary

Hummus is a great food to introduce at this age, as it provides a bounty of protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients.

A lot is going on with your 1-year-old. They’re experimenting with feeding themselves, learning to sense hunger and fullness, and asserting their independence, among several other developmental milestones.

As you navigate this period of growth and change, there are many practical and healthy food choices, including fresh, soft fruits, steamed veggies, tofu, and eggs.

The key points are selecting foods that are easy-to-chew, soft, and highly nutritious.

It’s a good idea to introduce new foods in small amounts and one at a time. With each new food, watch for adverse reactions, and stop feeding them this food if you observe signs of intolerance or allergy.

However, if you suspect it’s simply a matter of taste, or if your child doesn’t immediately take to these or other new foods, keep trying. It might take 6–15 exposures to a new food for your child to accept it into their diet.

Don’t stress if their appetite is fickle or their food choices vary like the wind — this is all part of their process.

Baby Meal Plan: 12 Month Old

What should you know about feeding your 12-month-old?

  • Most of your toddler’s calories and nutrition should now be from solid foods

  • Cow’s milk or soy milk can be introduced at this age

  • Family meals encourage healthy eating and trying new foods

Your baby has made their way into toddlerhood and is starting to master the ability to eat solid foods. By their first birthday, formula and breastmilk should be reducing while solid foods will start providing most of your little one’s calories and nutrition.1,2

Expect your toddler to be eating 3 balanced meals with 2-3 healthy snacks each day.

Between ages 1 to 2 years, toddlers have a great need for fat (which includes DHA), protein, and other nutrients such as iron, calcium, and choline to support their development.3

Additionally, the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that children this age are not getting enough vitamin D, fiber, and potassium. 10

Read more:

Nutrient Needs and Feeding Tips for 6 to 12 Month Olds

Why does Choline Matter for Babies, Tots, and Mama?

Why does Calcium Matter for Babies, Tots, and Mama?

Why does Fiber Matter for Babies, Tots, and Mama?

Why does Vitamin D Matter for Babies, Tots, and Mama?

Protein: Getting Enough and the Best Sources

Transition to cow’s milk

Formula fed babies are encouraged to transition to whole milk or unsweetened soy milk at the one-year mark, while breastfed babies can continue to drink breast milk.

If you’re making the switch to milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 16 ounces with a maximum of 24 ounces (2 to 3 cups) of whole milk daily,4 and breastfeeding moms can continue to breastfeed as long as mom and baby desire. 5,6

Learn more: What Type of Milk Should My Toddler Drink?

Pro tips on healthy family meals

By 12 months, your baby will be eating more and more of the foods you are. So eating as a family may become easier!

In fact, making time for family meals is an important way to encourage healthy eating and appropriate mealtime behavior.7 Babies and children who are part of regular family meals are often more willing to try new foods.8

Keep in mind that even at this age, slight adjustments may be needed in the texture and size of certain foods to help prevent choking.9

Read more: Family Meals: Developing Healthy Eating Patterns

If you have questions on how to prevent picky eating, reach out to our team of registered dietitian nutritionists for free! They’re here to help on our free, live chat from Monday through Friday, from 8am–6pm ET.  Chat now!

Meal Plan for 12 Month Old Toddler

The below meal plan provides snack and recipe ideas to help you provide your little one with nutritious choices that will continue to positively influence their taste development and food preferences, as well as get nutrients that are important for their growth and development. Be sure to provide foods in a texture and size your child is able to handle.

Breakfast

  • Option 1: Whole Grain Pumpkin Waffle Dippers with nut butter and 100% fruit spread

  • Option 2: Unsweetened yogurt with sliced berries and granola

  • Option 3: Oatmeal topped with diced cinnamon apples

  • Option 4: Easy Cheesy Egg Roll-Ups

  • Option 5: Banana pancakes (combine 1 ripe banana, 1 egg and 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour. Cook 3 minutes on each side over medium heat)

Lunch

  • Option 1: Quesadilla made with whole-wheat tortillas, cheddar cheese and cubed avocado

  • Option 2: Shredded or diced chicken or turkey with black beans and corn

  • Option 3: Hard boiled egg, cubed butternut squash, sliced grapes

  • Option 4: Whole grain pita “pizza” topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, spinach and broccoli

  • Option 5: Easy-Peasy 5 Veggie Pasta for Baby

Dinner

  • Option 1: Baby’s First Bolognese

  • Option 2: Baked Seasoned Chicken Tenders & Sweet Potatoes

  • Option 3: Baked fish “fingers” with roasted carrots and quinoa

  • Option 4: Cheeseburger (ground beef, chicken or turkey), cut up in pieces on a whole grain roll and soft roasted zucchini

  • Option 5: Fork mashed salmon and soft cooked cauliflower

Snacks

  • Option 1: Baked Seasoned Tofu

  • Option 2: Hummus with steamed or soft cooked veggies

  • Option 3: Banana & Yogurt Muffins

  • Option 4: Diced, ripe fruit

  • Option 5: Shredded or cubed cheese

Let’s Chat!

We know parenting often means sleepless nights, stressful days, and countless questions and confusion, and we want to support you in your feeding journey and beyond.

Our Happy Baby Experts are a team of lactation consultants and registered dietitian nutritionists certified in infant and maternal nutrition – and they’re all moms, too, which means they’ve been there and seen that. They’re here to help on our free, live chat platform Monday - Friday 8am-6pm (ET) Chat Now! 

Read more about the experts that help write our content! 

For more on this topic, check out the following articles and recipes:

Strategies for Creating a Healthy Kitchen for your Family

Types of Fats: Knowing which to Choose

Why does Folate Matter for Babies, Tots, and Mama?

The Division of Responsibility: Helping Avoid Picky Eating

Family meals: Developing Healthy Eating Patterns

Healthy Snacks for Babies and Toddlers

Our meal plans offer recipe and meal suggestions for your child. They are not designed to replace your doctor’s recommendations, nor do they take into account special nutritional needs, including allergies and intolerances. The meal plans suggest serving sizes that may or may not be appropriate for your child. Please consult your doctor to determine what is best for your child.

Diet for a child aged 9-12 months

By 9 months the main complementary foods have already been introduced, so the expansion of the child's diet continues. It is important to know that at this age the consistency of the products should change from homogenized to finely and coarsely ground.
A meat dish for an older child can be offered in the form of meatballs, which diversifies the child's diet and stimulates the formation of chewing skills. Canned meat industrial production for children over 8 months. - coarsely chopped, spices and spices (white pepper, celery, parsley, dill, onion, basil, thyme) can be added to them.

The amount of fish puree increases to 60 g per day by 12 months. Fish is given 2 times a week boiled without broth (instead of meat).

At this age, children's pasta can be offered to the child.

The number of children's cookies and crackers is increased up to 10-15 g per day (2-3 cookies).

By the year it is useful to add finely chopped fresh garden greens (dill, parsley) to various dishes, which significantly enriches the diet with vitamins and minerals.

Sample diet for a 12 month old child:

breakfast
8 hours 		Dairy-free or milk porridge*
Butter
Boiled egg yolk
Fruit puree 		150-200 g
approx. 1 tsp.
1/2 pcs
50 g
lunch
12 noon 		Vegetable puree
Vegetable oil
Meat puree (meatballs) or fish
Bread/rust
Compote

180 g
about 1/2 tsp.
50 g
10 g
50 ml

afternoon snack
4 pm 		Breast milk (kefir or yoghurt)**
Cottage cheese
Fruit puree
Baby biscuits 		100 g
50 g
50-70 g
2 pcs
dinner
20 hours 		Vegetables or porridge**
Meat puree
Vegetable oil
Fruit juice 		180 g
20 g
1/2 tsp.
50 ml
before bedtime
11 pm 		Breast milk (DMS)*** 200 ml

* - dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or infant formula that the child receives. Milk porridge is diluted with water.
** - daily volume of kefir or yogurt can be up to 200 ml,
*** - baby milk formula

Approximate diet of a 12-month-old child with an allergy to cow's milk proteins:

breakfast
8 hours 		Dairy-free porridge*
Vegetable oil
Fruit puree 		150-200 g
approx. 1 tsp.
50 g
lunch
12 noon 		Vegetable puree
Vegetable oil
Meat puree/meatball
Bread/crust
Compote 		180 g
approx. 1/2 tsp.
50-70 g
10 g
50 ml
afternoon snack
4 pm 		Breast milk or medicated formula for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance
Fruit puree
Rusk

150-180 ml
50 g
10 g

dinner
20 hours 		Vegetables or dairy-free porridge**
Vegetable oil
Meat puree
Fruit juice 		180 g
approx. 1/2 tsp.
30-40 g
50 ml
at bedtime
11 pm 		Breast milk or formula for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance 200 ml

* - dairy-free porridge should be diluted with breast milk or formula for children with intolerance to cow's milk proteins.
** - you can either alternate porridge or vegetables, or offer a mixed dish - porridge with vegetables.

The materials were prepared by the staff of the Laboratory for Nutrition of a Healthy and Sick Child of the National Research Center for Children's Health of the Ministry of Health of Russia and are based on the recommendations given in the National Program for Optimizing the Feeding of Children in the First Year of Life in the Russian Federation, approved at the XV Congress of Pediatricians of Russia (02.2009g.)

Complementary foods at 12 months - Encyclopedia Baby food

Levchuk Victoria ©

Complementary foods at 12 months are extensive, perhaps the baby is already eating from the common table. With the right planning and creativity in baby food, most mothers strive to feed their baby healthy meals. The child mainly eats fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish and lean meats. This article provides information on complementary foods for children over 12 months of age.

Table of Contents:

At 12 months , most mothers decide to wean their baby from the breast or formula. Yes, at 12-14 months weaning from breast milk is easier and faster than at a later date, but it must be borne in mind that breast milk does not lose its beneficial and amazing properties and continues to give the baby a lot of good things for his immunity, general development and health . Therefore, it is worth thinking carefully and making an informed decision, because even WHO recommends continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond. Whatever decision is not made, it is necessary to gradually wean the child from the breast or bottle, so if complementary foods are introduced normally, the child fully eats 3 times a day and 2 breastfeeding or formula. For starters, you can stop breastfeeding after complementary foods, then remove morning feeding and replace it with full-fledged complementary foods, so we gradually get to evening feeding and night feeding, remove evening feeding and, last but not least, night feeding. Some of the mothers remove the nightly feedings first, and then replace the evening feedings with yogurt or kefir. The main thing here is the gradual replacement of breast milk or formula with complete complementary foods. The whole process will take several months at most, without nerves and stress for mother and child.

Complementary foods at 12 months: What to feed???

The diet of a 12-month-old baby is very varied, so we continue to feed the products that were introduced earlier and continue to introduce new ones.

Complementary protein foods at 12 months

At 12 months, you should think about adding yolk to your baby's diet. As an allergenic product, most pediatricians advise introducing it closer to 12 months. Usually, quail eggs are chosen as the first acquaintance of a child with the yolk as a less allergenic product. They are boiled, cleaned and offered ½ of the yolk. Most likely, the child will refuse it in its pure form, since it is a little dry and unpleasant to swallow, so we advise you to add the yolk to porridge or vegetable puree. We remind you to introduce the product in the second feeding and the reaction is monitored for two days, new products are not introduced during this period. Standby mode 5-7 days, i.e. during this period, there may be redness of the cheeks, priests, body of the child, loose stools, etc. if something like this happened, we stop giving the yolk, and we turn to the pediatrician.

If the yolk was introduced earlier and everything is fine, then 2 months after this event, protein is introduced into the child's diet. After a full input of the product, you can create a menu consisting of half a chicken egg or one quail egg, as the child grows, the volume increases. Do not forget about the children's steamed omelette, beauty!

Complementary meat at 12 months

Complementary foods at 12 months require that the child is familiar with lean meat, in particular with turkey, rabbit, lean beef. Closer to 12 months, many parents introduce chicken into the child's diet , as this meat product is present everywhere in the adult menu. It’s easier to transfer the child to a common table, with the introduction of chicken into baby food, you can safely cook soup or borscht for the whole family, including the little man. However, it is worth carefully introducing chicken meat into the child's diet, as an allergic reaction is possible. Of course ideal organic poultry, but not all parents have the opportunity to buy this. Therefore, we choose low-fat chicken, it is better to take skinless fillet, a product that you constantly take, if the child was fed breast milk, then most likely he is already familiar with this type of food through mother's milk. Chicken meat is cooked in a secondary broth, introduced as a regular new product, with monitoring of the child's reaction to it.

After the introduction of chicken into baby food, you can add veal and pork to the meat menu, we remind you, not the fatty part, it is advisable to choose lean meat. The child's body is not yet ready to digest too fatty foods.

Meat broths are introduced into the baby's menu closer to 12 months, but the meat is boiled in a secondary broth, from which soup or borsch for the baby is cooked. The secondary broth remains for a long time.

Fish food at 12 months

We continue to introduce the baby to fish, the more varied his menu, the better. Therefore, we introduce those varieties of fish that have not been introduced. At 12 months, you can introduce your baby to red varieties of fish, such as salmon. Moreover, in children's ready-made food there are excellent options for salmon fish puree, which are ideally combined with buckwheat, yummy. Closer to the year, you can introduce the baby to fish broths, just be sure to take a break between the introduction of new meat and fish foods. Ideally, if a new meat was introduced, then a vegetable, then a fish.

Vegetable complementary foods at 12 months

Most vegetables are introduced into the child's diet by 12 months , you can cook soups and borschiks from them, which makes the baby's menu very diverse. Closer to the year, such products as parsnips, spinach, squash, squash, beets are introduced. Be careful with the last vegetable, there may be an allergy, but this does not mean that it should not be introduced. Too much benefit for a small body to skip the beets.

Milk complementary foods at 12 months

Milk complementary foods can be varied with soft cheeses, kefir and cottage cheese (if you haven’t introduced them to your diet yet, you can safely introduce them), and also try to introduce whole cow or goat milk. Goat's milk is said to be less allergenic, but don't be fooled into introducing it very carefully, like any new product. With whole milk, the baby’s morning menu will become more diverse, since almost all children like milk porridge with butter.

It may be difficult to introduce kefir into a child’s diet after yogurt, but it is necessary to offer a new product often, since kefir provides so many new opportunities in baby food, for example, you can make baby curd from kefir, beauty, and most importantly, easy and cheap .

By the way, with the introduction of milk and eggs, you can safely bake pancakes, pancakes, muffins, children's curd cookies, etc. for your child. New frontiers in baby food are opening up.

Complementary cereals at 12 months

As mentioned above, with the child's acquaintance with milk, you can cook milk porridge. At 12 months, you can introduce your child to wheat and soy porridge. You can also introduce semolina porridge, but I was convinced from my own experience that it pours on it, so the ideal option is to introduce semolina at 3 years old, when the child’s body is better prepared.

Fruity Complementary foods at 12 months

Fruit foods can also be significantly diversified, so we introduce the baby to wild berries, cherries, raspberry currants. Keep in mind that black, white, red currants are different products, they are introduced separately, you don’t have to think that if we didn’t pour out black currants, you can safely give red currants, no, we introduce them into baby food separately as a new product.

My child got acquainted with citrus on his birthday, we were born before the new year, so tangerines were introduced earlier than the due time. However, for all the time we only poured out on semolina, we seem to react normally to all products. Therefore, when introducing new products, we look at our child, decide to introduce or not introduce, but if we decide to introduce, then gradually, and hide the new product so that the child does not get to know it on his own.

Fruit juice can be introduced into infant formula, it is usually recommended to introduce juice from clarified and green fruits, such as an apple. An ideal option, home-made juice, not store-bought. My pediatrician strongly swears at purchased juices, only compotes or freshly squeezed at home.

What about salt and sugar? Closer to the year, pediatricians recommend starting to acquaint the child with these spices, adding a little to the child's diet. The dish should not be lightly salted or sugared. It is better to let other family members add salt to themselves in a plate if the child is transferred to a common table.

However, we continue to monitor what appears on the common table. It is too early for a child to get acquainted with honey, sausages, sausages, chocolate, soda, chips, candies, nuts, etc.

Feeding a child at 12 months: Schedule

As it was written earlier, the child continues to eat 4-5 times a day with breaks between feedings of about 4 hours. Complementary foods are given 3 times a day with 2 additional snacks. The amount of food for one feeding is approximately 240-250 grams.

Feeding a child at 12 months: Norms

Nutritional norms are increased due to the introduction of new products, such as fruit juice, cottage cheese, kefir, but the proportion of breast milk or milk formula is significantly reduced. The table shows the approximate norms of food consumption at one meal.

Baby Feeding at 12 Months: Table Rules

At 12 months it is important to pay more attention to table manners than before, because the baby has already mastered the basics and now they need to be reinforced every day. Do not forget about the personal example of the parents, it is them that the child imitates, so if the behavior of the parents at the table is far from ideal, then what do you want from the little man, for whom dad and mom are ideal.

We praise the baby more often, do not scold or stuff food, we reinforce intuitive nutrition when the baby decides when he is full. Please note that at this age, children often drop cutlery on the floor. So that this process does not turn into a game for the baby, it is necessary to keep additional clean children's appliances on the table, as soon as the baby has dropped the spoon, give him a new one without focusing on the fallen appliances. After the meal, you can pick them up or allow the child to pick them up and wash them.

It is also worth noticing how the baby is sitting in the high chair, isn't it hunched over? If you notice an uneven back, then it is better to consult a doctor and be like a massage, sometimes at this age the back muscles are weak and they need support.

We put napkins or a towel next to the child and wipe the child's mouth and hands, set an example, let him dry himself. At first, you may have to wash towels every time, but do not despair, the child learns quickly.

Speaking of the bib, it is necessary to acquaint the child with it sooner rather than later, so even if the child refuses, we gently but firmly put the bib on the child, explaining why it is needed.

You can also teach your child to sweep the kitchen after meals. Children often crumble bread on the floor, garbage accumulates under his chair, help your child learn to clean up after himself. It is clear that he will not sweep fully, so he will wave a broom and that’s it, but even this is enough for the child to understand: “I help my mother!”. We lay the foundations now, and not later, when he says: “You will clean it yourself!”

Complementary foods at 12 months: Water

The drinking regimen does not change, be sure to offer water often during the day, ideally, if water is always available to the child. Of course, it’s better in a cup, but if the child constantly pours the mug onto himself, then you should think about a non-spill drinking cup. But at the table we offer all liquids only in a cup, it is important for the development of the child's skills.

Feeding at 12 months: Ideas

Weaning at 12 months is full of different baby food ideas, now it's easier, especially if the baby is switched to a common table. Of course, for a child, everything is cooked in a secondary broth without frying vegetables.

Therefore, I offer several ideas for baby food recipes from the common table: