Feeding Your Picky Eater Toddler

The transition from breast milk to solids comes with its challenges when feeding your toddler, but by the age of one, you’ll need to learn what to feed a toddler–even when they are being particularly picky.

The average 1-2 year old needs approximately 1,000 calories each day, which can be accomplished in three small meals and two snacks—just like us adults. Not every meal will be a success as you may face moodiness, disinterest, or just a desire to be somewhere else, exploring the wonderful world outside the highchair. How to feed a picky toddler may feel like a skill, but you just need to be familiar with a few tricks to ensure your little one is getting a balanced diet.

Filling in the gaps

One factor when feeding a toddler is making sure all the good bits end up consumed, and not spread over the floor or bib. A picky eater may be missing some of the essential nutrients either from not eating them or throwing them out. Ask your doctor about whether you may need a toddler formula or vitamin supplements to balance out the diet.

Keep a schedule

Have a mealtime schedule set and stick to those times for each meal and snack daily. This will help your little one to get used to eating at these periods and into a good habit. As mealtime approaches, try to keep activities calming and sedate as a little pre-meal quiet can help with focus.

Let them take control

When you sit your little one down to eat, give them control as most toddlers prefer to feed themselves. This also means making sure you have appropriate toddler-proof utensils, plates, and cups. Start with small servings—try one tablespoon for every year of age. Don’t worry, if they want more, you’ll be told!

Make eating fun

Another way to ensure feeding your toddler provides the essential

, vitamin C,

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  and other nutrients is to make it fun to eat healthfully. Cut soft veggies for squishy fun and avoid choking hazard foods like whole baby carrots, raw celery, hard candies, raw cherries with pits, nuts, or spoons full of peanut butter.

If you are new to parenting, how to feed picky toddlers is indeed an artform, but if you’re finding the little one doesn’t like something, don’t push it. Try it another day in smaller portions and if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. To make it easier to provide a healthy diet for your growing toddler, try some of our delicious menu ideas, and if you are concerned that your baby is not getting enough nutrition, speak to your doctor about adding supplements either in the form of droplets or formulas.