Nutrition Basics for Infants and Toddlers

Many parents are concerned about their child’s nutrition and are unsure how much of each food their child should receive daily. Here are some tips to help ensure your child is getting the right amount of nutrition needed for adequate weight gain and brain development.

Infant Nutrition (0-12 Months)

During infancy, your baby’s nutritional needs are primarily focused on supporting rapid growth and development.

Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding

Breast Milk: Provides all the essential nutrients—proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals—along with antibodies that help protect against infections. Breastfeeding typically occurs on demand every 2-3 hours.
Formula Feeding: If breastfeeding is not an option, iron-fortified infant formula should be used. Formula feeding is generally on a schedule, with 6-8 feedings per day for the first six months, totaling 24-32 ounces per day (consult your child’s pediatrician for guidance).

Introducing Solid Foods

Around 6 months: Purees should be introduced, typically when your baby can sit up. Purees help babies learn about flavors and how to manage thicker textures. Some parents decide to do Baby Led Weaning.
Around 12 months: Your baby should be transitioning to table foods, depending on their gross motor and oral skills development. By this age, they should be getting more nutrition from soft solids rather than breast milk or formula. A typically developing baby has had experience managing purees and meltable solids and is beginning to explore more flavors and textures with soft solids.

Toddler Nutrition (1-3 Years)

Toddlers are growing rapidly, and their energy needs are high. However, their appetite can be unpredictable. Typically, toddlers should consume 1,000-1,400 calories per day, depending on their activity level.

Key Nutrients for Toddlers

There are five important nutrients toddlers need for proper growth:

Calcium & Vitamin D – Found in dairy products and fortified orange juice.
Potassium – Found in spinach, bananas, and potatoes.
Iron – Found in lean meats, beans, and fortified cereals.
Fiber – Found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Daily Meal Guidelines

Toddlers should receive three meals and two snacks daily. Below is a guide outlining portion sizes and food groups:

Food Group	Servings per day at meal (Meals x3 daily)	Example: Foods in this Group	One Serving (1 -2 years)	One Serving (3 – 6 years)	Snacks- 2 per day in between meals
Fruits	2-3	Cooked or canned fruit, Fresh fruit, Fruit Juice- (try to limit)	1 TBSP per age (i.e. 1 year old = 1 TBSP)	1TBSP per age (i.e. 3 year old =TBSP)	1 TBSP per age – size of child’s palm
Vegetables	2-3	Raw or cooked vegetables	1 TBSP per age (i.e. 1 year old = 1 TBSP)	1TBSP per age (i.e. 3 year old =TBSP)	1 TBSP per age
Grains	3 ounces (at least 1.5 ounces should be whole grains)	Bread, cooked cereal, rice, pasta, dry cereal, crackers	1 TBSP per age (i.e. 1 year old = 1 TBSP)	1TBSP per age (i.e. 3 year old =TBSP)	1 TBSP per age
Protein (lean meats/beans)	2 ounces	Lean meat, fish, poultry, tofu, eggs, peanut butter, cooked or dried beans, peas, lentils	1 TBSP per age (i.e. 1 year old = 1 TBSP)	1TBSP per age (i.e. 3 year old =TBSP)	1 TBSP per age
Milk /dairy *	2 cups	Milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese	¼- ½ cup	½ cup to 1 cup	Offer water

Milk and Juice Recommendations

For children under 2: 2% or whole milk is recommended for the dietary fats needed for normal growth and development.
For children over 2: You can transition to low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese to support bone health while limiting added fat if needed. (Always consult your pediatrician before making changes.)
Too much milk and juice can reduce your child’s appetite during or between meals. Offer water throughout the day, and if providing milk or juice, offer it at the end of the meal so your child is more inclined to eat solids first.

Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits

Allow your child to explore foods through sight, touch, smell, and taste.
Avoid pressuring or bribing your child to “taste” foods. Instead, say something like, “I wonder if this will be sweet or sour, crunchy or soft.”
Limit grazing throughout the day so your child can listen to their body’s hunger cues. Snacks should be no larger than the child’s palm. If they are still hungry, let them know when their next meal will be and engage them in an activity like playing outside or taking a walk.
When children graze all day, they may have less appetite for proper meals.

Remember, it is the parent’s responsibility to offer a variety of healthy foods, and the child’s job to decide how much and what to eat (Ellen Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding). If you have concerns about your child’s eating habits, Kids Place Feeding Therapy in Arizona may be able to help.