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    Toddler 12 - 18 Months Feeding Guide

    12-18 Months Feeding Guide

    Follow our guide for feeding 12- to 18-month-old toddlers. The amount and type of food your baby or toddler eats will vary.

    AGES & STAGES
    Newborn 0-3 months Newborn 0-3 months
    Infant 3-6 months Infant 3-6 months
    Infant 6-9 months Infant 6-9 months
    Toddler 9-12 months Toddler 9-12 months
    Toddler 12-18 monthsToddler 12-18 months

    Toddler hunger cues

    Begins to use a spoon and fork, feeds self easily with fingers
    Begins to use a sippy cup
    Eats at regular times

    How much should a toddler eat?

    Liquid

    • Breast milk

    • Whole cow’s milk

    • Infant formula, iron-fortified

    Liquid intake:

    • About 16-24 fl oz (2-3 servings per day)

    Solid

    • Yogurt

    • Cubed cheese

    • Whole grain crackers and cereal

    • Whole grain pasta and rice

    • Pieces of cooked, moist meat, like fish or poultry

    • Scrambled eggs

    • Cooked or grated vegetables

    • Soft, sliced fruit

    • Family foods

    Solid food intake:

    • 3 meals and 2 snacks per day

    Consistency

    • Variety of textures

    • Bite sized pieces

    • Finger foods

    Key Nutrients

    Slide 1 of 3

    • DHA

      Docosahexaenoic Acid

      DHA is an Omega-3 fat prominent in your little one's brain and important for his normal brain and eye development. By your toddler's 2nd birthday, most of his brain growth will have already occurred.

      Tip
      If using a toddler nutritional drink, use a formula that has DHA. Now that your little one is eating solids, fatty fish is another excellent way to ensure their diet is rich in DHA.†

      Average DHA amount in breast milk: 0.32% of total fatty acids

    • Iron

      Iron is essential for your toddler's physical and mental growth, and as your little one grow, they need more to meet their nutritional needs. Now that your tot is eating solid foods, make sure you provide iron rich foods.

      Tip
      Iron from animal products, especially meat, is absorbed more easily than from other sources. Vitamin C also helps absorption of iron from plant sources.

    • Calcium

      Your toddler needs calcium for healthy development, especially of their bones and teeth.

     

     

    * Average amount of DHA and ARA in worldwide breast milk is 0.32% and 0.47% (mean ± standard deviation of total fatty acids) based on an analysis of 65 studies of 2,474 women).
    † For example, herring, mackerel, pollock, salmon and shrimp. Visit the FDA website for advice regarding eating fish.

     

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