Supporting Your Toddler's Growth: A Guide for Parents (12+ Months)

As your toddler reaches the age of 12 months and beyond, they begin to explore the world around them with newfound independence, including their relationship with food. This period marks a significant transition in their development, both physically and emotionally. 

As parents, it's crucial to understand and support these changes to ensure your child grows strong and healthy. This blog post aims to provide insights into what your toddler should eat, how much, and how to create a positive mealtime environment that fosters healthy habits and developmental milestones.

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What to Eat & How Much

Meals and Snacks

According to UNICEF’s feeding guidelines, at this stage your toddler needs approximately three meals a day, each consisting of about ¾ to 1 cup of food. Additionally, two snacks are recommended to keep energy levels stable throughout the day. It's essential to offer a variety of foods to ensure your child gets all the necessary nutrients.

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Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is key to supporting your toddler's growth and development. Incorporate a mix of:

• Fruits and Vegetables: These are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are vital for your child's immune system and digestive health.
• Whole Grains: Foods like bread, pasta, and rice provide complex carbohydrates, which are an excellent source of energy.
• Plant-Based Proteins: Foods such as beans, lentils, tofu, and nuts are great sources of protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients.

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Beverages

Transitioning to fortified plant-based milks, such as soy milk, can be beneficial for toddlers who may have dairy allergies or intolerances. It's also important to encourage the consumption of plain water, as it hydrates without adding unnecessary calories. Limiting juice intake can help prevent excessive sugar consumption and tooth decay.

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Positive Mealtime Environment

Creating a positive mealtime environment is crucial for fostering healthy eating habits. Here are two tips to optimize your mealtime environment:

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No Electronics at the Table

Focus on family time and enjoying the meal together. This practice encourages social skills and helps children associate mealtime with relaxation and enjoyment.

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Model Healthy Eating

Children learn by example. Research shows that parents, through their feeding practices, not only encourage the adoption of culturally appropriate eating patterns but also contribute significantly to the development of healthy eating habits in children. 

Try to show them that you enjoy trying new foods and appreciate the flavours and textures of different foods.

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Physical Activity Guidelines 

Movement is crucial for your child's development from day one. A systematic review of 24 studies concluded that higher levels of physical activity were linked to improved measures of body fat, cognitive and motor skill development, and better psychosocial well-being during early childhood.

These recommendations come from the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4 Years), consider the following for infants 12 months and older: 

• Aim for at least 180 minutes of varied physical activity daily
• Include activities that develop movement skills
• Gradually increase intensity, working towards 60 minutes of energetic play by age 5

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Developmental Tips

Supporting your toddler's development through mealtime involves more than just providing nourishment. Here are some strategies to enhance their growth:

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Oral Motor Skills

Gradually wean off the bottle or pacifier to promote better speech development and oral hygiene.

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Gross Motor Skills

Encourage activities like crawling and cruising to strengthen muscles and develop coordination.

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Fine Motor Skills

Using partitioned plates or ice cube trays can help your child grasp small objects, improving hand-eye coordination.

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Cognitive and Communication Skills

Engage in simple games that involve imitation and waiting for responses, such as peek-a-boo or patty-cake, to stimulate brain development. These games introduce concepts such as object permanence (understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen) in peek-a-boo and rhythm and timing in patty-cake.

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Takeaway

By making mealtimes fun and nutritious, you're not only supporting your toddler's physical growth but also laying the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so try to be patient and flexible in your approach. With love, understanding, and a bit of creativity, you'll navigate this exciting phase of your child's life with confidence.