Toddler Feeding

These instructions are for caregivers of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) toddler patients to learn about feeding and nutrition.

Important information about toddler feeding:

• Toddlers (1-3 years old) feed themselves with their hands. Some may try to use a fork and spoon.

• Many toddlers will eat more one day and less another day.

• Toddlers may also become pickier with eating and refuse to eat foods that were a favorite.

Instructions for feeding a toddler:

• Children at this age need 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks per day.

• Avoid letting your child graze or snack throughout the day.

• Meals and snacks should include foods from 2-3 different food groups.

• The amount of food your toddler eats will be different at every meal and every day. This is OK.

• Do not force or bribe your child to eat.

• Watch for signs that your toddler is hungry or full and feed your child as needed.

• Toddlers should drink water. Children ages 1-3 years need about 4 cups of liquids per day, including water or milk.

• Many toddlers start drinking cow's milk instead of breast milk or formula.

  • It is OK if your child continues to drink breast milk after 12 months of age. If your child was drinking formula, they should transition to cow's milk or non-dairy alternative after 12 months old.

  • Do not start cow's milk before your child is 12 months old.

  • Limit cow's milk to 16-20 ounces per day.

• If you choose to give your child juice:

  • Choose 100% juice.

  • Limit to no more than 4 ounces per day.

• Avoid giving your child drinks with added sugar, flavored milk or artificially sweetened drinks.

• Children should eat sitting down to prevent choking

• Do not give the following foods to small children:

  • Gum

  • Hard candies

  • Popcorn

  • Whole grapes

  • Chewy candies

  • Raisins

  • Hot dogs

  • Nuts or seeds

  • Raw carrots

  • Chips

  • Chunky peanut butter

  • Cherries with pits

  • Marshmallows

  • Large chunks of meat

  • Whole cherry tomatoes

Mealtime tips:

• You may need to give your child a new food many times before they accept it.

  • If your child does not like a food after several attempts, take a break from trying. Offer that food again in a few weeks.

• Toddlers may like a food one day and not the next.

  • At mealtime, if your child refuses a food, avoid offering multiple foods until you find one that your child will eat. Instead, offer a few different foods on the plate at each meal or snack and include one favorite food.

• Mealtime can also be family time.

  • When possible, have the whole family sit at the table together during meals.

  • Try to keep set mealtimes.

  • Keep electronics off during meals and snacks.

  • Parents are role models for children. Parents should eat the foods they want their children to eat.

  • Feeding a toddler can be stressful. Try to keep meals calm and positive.

Sample meal plan for toddlers:

Note that where Stage 3 food are listed, you may use adult table food instead, as long as it is cut into small pieces.

Breakfast

• Option 1:

  • ½ to ¾ cup of dry cereal with minimal added sugar or prepared hot cereal (oatmeal, Cream of Wheat ® or grits)

  • ¼ to ½ cup of soft or mashed fruit

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 2:

  • 1 or 2 small pancakes

  • ½ to 1 scrambled egg

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 3:

  • ½ cup of a Stage 3 baby food meal of cereal and fruit

  • ¼ to ½ cup of unsweetened dry cereal or prepared hot cereal (oatmeal, Cream of Wheat or grits)

  • Breast milk, formula up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 4:

  • 4 ounces of plain yogurt

  • ¼ to ½ cup of Stage 3 baby food fruit or soft or mashed fresh fruit

  • ¼ to ½ cup unsweetened cereal or prepared hot cereal (oatmeal, Cream of Wheat or grits)

  • Water

Mid-morning snack

• Option 1:

  • 2 small whole grain crackers

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 2:

  • ¼ to ½ cup of soft or mashed fresh fruit

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

Lunch

• Option 1:

  • 1 ounce of cooked meat or fish shredded or chopped

  • ¼ to 1/3 cup cooked pasta or potato

  • ¼ to 1/3 cup of Stage 2 or Stage 3 baby food vegetables or cooked, chopped vegetables

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 2:

  • Stage 3 baby food or toddler meal that includes meat

  • ¼ cup Stage 2 or Stage 3 baby food vegetables

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 3:

  • ¼ cup of cooked beans that have been rinsed, drained and mashed

  • ½ to 1 slice of wheat toast or whole grain tortilla

  • ¼ to 1/3 cup of Stage 2 or Stage 3 baby food vegetables

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 4:

  • 1 ounce soft, cooked tofu

  • ¼ to 1/3 cup of cooked pasta, rice or potatoes

  • ¼ to 1/3 cup cooked and chopped vegetables

Afternoon snack

• Option 1:

  • ½ slice whole-wheat English muffin with butter or a thin layer of nut butter

  • ¼ cup of Stage 2 or Stage 3 baby food fruit or soft or mashed fresh fruit

  • Water

• Option 2:

  • ¼ small whole grain bagel with cream cheese or mashed avocado

  • ¼ cup of cooked, chopped vegetables

  • Water

Dinner

• Option 1:

  • 1 ounce of meat or fish shredded or chopped

  • ¼ to 1/3 cup of mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes

  • ¼ cup cooked, chopped vegetables

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 2:

  • ¼ cup of canned or cooked beans that have been rinsed, drained and mashed

  • ½ to 1 small tortilla

  • ¼ cup cooked, chopped vegetables

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 3:

  • 1 small slice of thin crust cheese pizza

  • ¼ cup soft or mashed fresh fruit

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

• Option 4:

  • Stage 3 baby food or toddler meal that includes meat

  • ¼ to ½ cup of Stage 2 or Stage 3 baby food vegetables

  • Breast milk, formula or up to 4 ounces of milk

Reviewed on May 1, 2022