Feeding Your Toddler: 1 to 3 Years

Feeding Your Toddler: 1 to 3 Years

Feeding your toddler can be very exciting. Learn about how to help your child at mealtimes and what foods to offer.
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Feeding your toddler can be exciting as they learn to eat many new foods. It can also be challenging and stressful. Toddlers often want to make their own choices at mealtimes.

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What is My Role as a Parent or Caregiver?

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Your job is to:

  • Decide when meals and snacks are served.
  • Choose which foods to offer.
  • Serve food at the table.
  • Sit and eat with your toddler, when possible.

What is My Toddler’s Role?

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Your toddler's job is to:

  • Decide whether to eat or not eat at all.
  • Decide how much to eat from the foods offered.

How Can I Help My Toddler During Mealtime?

One helpful approach is called responsive feeding. Responsive feeding means paying attention to your child's hunger and fullness cues and responding in a supportive way. Follow these responsive feeding tips to help make mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone.

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Foods to Avoid Giving Your Toddler

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How Much Food Should You Offer Your Toddler?

How much your toddler eats at each meal and snack will change a lot. Use the info below to help guide you.

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ALERT

Call your child’s provider, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.

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This content was created to help you care for your child and/or family member. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.