Age-by-age guide to feeding your toddler

Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: October 2011
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Highlights

• Age: 12 to 24 months
• Age: 24 to 36 months 

Use this guide to find out what and how much to feed your child from 12 to 36 months of age. (Read about what to feed children under 12 months.) Don't worry if your child eats more or less than the amounts listed – they're meant as rough guidelines.

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Age: 12 to 24 months

Signs of readiness

• Can start to use a spoon (though proficiency will take a while!)

What to feed

• Whole milk
• Other dairy (soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt and cottage cheese)
• Same food as rest of family, mashed or chopped into bite-size pieces
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
• Other grains (whole wheat bread, pasta, rice)
• Fruits: melon, papaya, apricot, grapefruit
• Vegetables: broccoli and cauliflower "trees", cooked until soft
• Protein (eggs; cut-up or ground meat or poultry; boneless fish; tofu; beans; thinly spread smooth peanut butter)
• Citrus and non-citrus juice
• Honey is now okay

How much per day

• 2 cups dairy (1 cup milk or yogurt, 1 cup = 1 1/2 ounces natural cheese or 2 ounces processed cheese)
• 3 ounces grains, preferably half of them whole grains (1 ounce = 1/3 cup cold cereal, 1/4 cup pasta or rice, 1 slice bread)
• 1 cup fruit (fresh, frozen, canned and/or 100 percent juice) Emphasize whole fruits rather than juice.
• 1 cup vegetables (Serve vegetables that are cut in small pieces and well cooked to prevent choking.)
• 2 ounces protein (1 ounce = one slice of sandwich meat, about 1/3 of a chicken breast half, 1/4 can of tuna, 1/4 cup cooked dry beans, or 1 egg)

Feeding tips

• Experts used to say you shouldn't give young children eggs, fish, or peanut products because the child might develop a food allergy. But the latest research from the American Academy of Pediatrics found there's no evidence that babies develop allergies from the early introduction of these foods. Still, some doctors recommend caution when it comes to introducing foods. If you're concerned that your child might have an allergy to certain foods, introduce them one by one and keep an eye out for an allergic reaction.
• Choking is still a danger. Learn more about foods to watch out for.

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Age: 24 to 36 months 

Signs of readiness

• Self-feeding
• Eagerness to make own food choices

What to feed

• Low-fat milk (It's okay to switch to low-fat or nonfat milk once your child is older than 2, but check with your child's doctor if you have questions.)
• Other dairy (diced or grated cheese; low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding)
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
• Other grains (whole wheat bread and crackers, cut-up bagels, pretzels, rice cakes, ready-to-eat cereal, pasta, rice)
• Fruits, sliced fresh or canned
• Dried fruit, soaked until soft so it won't pose a choking hazard (apples, apricots, peaches, pears, dates, pitted prunes)
• Vegetables, cooked and cut up
• Protein (eggs; cut-up or ground meat or poultry; boneless fish; tofu; beans; smooth peanut butter)
• Combo foods like macaroni and cheese, casseroles
• Fruit and vegetable juices

How much per day
One serving for a child this age is about a quarter the size of an adult serving.

• 2 cups dairy (1 cup milk or yogurt; 1 cup = 1 1/2 ounces natural cheese or 2 ounces processed cheese)
• 4-5 ounces grains (1 ounce = 1 slice of bread; 1/3 cup ready-to-eat cereal, or 1/4 cup of cooked rice, cooked pasta, or cooked cereal)
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups fruit (fresh, frozen, canned, dried and/or 100 percent juice) Emphasize whole fruits rather than juice.
• 1 1/2 cups vegetables
• 3 to 4 ounces protein (1 ounce of meat, poultry, or fish; 1/4 cup cooked dry beans; or 1 egg)

Feeding tips

• Experts used to say you shouldn't give young children eggs, fish, or peanut products because the child might develop a food allergy. But the latest research from the American Academy of Pediatrics found there's no evidence that babies develop allergies from the early introduction of these foods. Still, some doctors recommend caution when it comes to introducing foods. If you're concerned that your child might have an allergy to certain foods, introduce them one by one and keep an eye out for an allergic reaction.
• Choking is still a danger. Learn more about foods to watch out for.

Your child may seem to eat less than before – that's perfectly normal at this stage. If you wonder whether your child is getting enough calories, use this guideline: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children get about 40 calories a day for every inch of height.
Finally, if you're a vegan or vegetarian, you can still provide your infant or toddler with everything she needs. The American Dietetic Association and American Academy of Pediatrics agree that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are fine for infants and toddlers. Just pay attention to make sure your child gets plenty of the following nutrients:

• Vitamin B12: Vegetarians can get this nutrient from milk products and eggs; vegans can use fortified soy or rice beverages, cereals, and meat substitutes.
• Vitamin D: Breastfed babies should get an additional 400 IU per day through a vitamin supplement or, after 1 year of age, from fortified cow or soy milk.
• Calcium: Vegan babies may need calcium-fortified foods, beverages, or supplements. Check with a dietitian or your doctor if you're not sure.
• Iron: Found in iron-fortified cereal or supplements.
• Protein: Vegans can find plant proteins in beans, cereals, and fortified soy milk. Vegetarians can add in protein from yogurt and eggs.
• Fiber: Good sources of fiber include whole grain breads, fortified cereals, and pastas, and higher-fat plant foods like sunflower butter and avocados.