Worried my 15 month olds diet isn't healthy enough

[flibbetygibbett]

My DD is 15 months old and loves her food. I was recently upset to find out that she is in the 91st percentile for weight but the HV said that it was nothing to worry about as she is also in the 91st for height so she's in proportion. I was worried I might be overfeeding her and asked the HV how much a child of her age should be eating in a day but her responses were very vague. She said I should be "guided by DD" and that she will stop eating when she's full. I don't feel comfortable with this though as DD would eat constantly if I let her!

In a typical day she has

7am- sippy cup of milk on waking

8am- 1 Weetabix with milk and a few blueberries

10am- sometime days she will have a snack, some days she won't. Usually a slice of Soreen fruit loaf or a couple of cubes of cheese or a few Organix carrot puffs

12.30pm- Lunch is homemade vegetable soup with half a slice of bread or avocado and cheery tomato's on wholemeal toast or a salmon sandwhich (one piece of wholemeal bread) followed by fruit/yoghurt for pudding

2.30pm- rarely has an afternoon snack but if she does it might be a slice of homemade banana bread, or half a slice of toast or a few Ella's kitchen puffs or similar.

5.30pm- dinner will usually be chicken/fish with mashed potato and veggies or pasta with homemade vegetable sauce or similar followed by fruit/yoghurts for pudding.

7pm- sippy cup of milk before bed.

She has cups of water throughout the day.

Does this sound OK or is it too much? I have suffered with eating disorders in my teens so am trying to be relaxed about food in front of DD so as not to pass this on but also want her to be healthy. This is my first baby and I'm never sure if I'm doing the right thing. I've had some people say it's great that she loves fruit, others say don't give much fruit because of the sugar. She likes cheese and I know small children need dairy but MIL commented that she shouldn't have cheese on toast for lunch as it will make her fat.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Opopanax]

I think that sounds perfectly healthy. If anything, I'd be encouraging her to have a bit more milk! And cheese is good for her, it won't make her fat unless you are feeding her great blocks of it every day - a portion of cheese is around the size of a matchbox, which seems about the right size for making a slice of cheese on toast. Cheese is brilliant for calcium and also tooth-neutral so very healthy all round. Plus children need a lot more fat than adults so you should definitely not worry about the fat content of cheese.

As your HV says, your DD is in proportion as she is tall so it makes sense that she would weigh more than a short child.

[Arrietty14]

To me that sounds like a very balanced diet. I would be happy if my dd was eating that variety and amount. At the moment I do sometimes give her fruit at mealtimes but we don't necessarily have fruit and yogurt after. Probably because she is still having milk a minimum of 4 times a day, so I would imagine your dd needs the yogurt for calcium and other nutrients that milk would give. Also my dd was just below the 91st centile for weight and only just below the 25th centile for height at 1 (I'm not sure what she is now at 14 months). I don't think you need to change anything, but I would definitely offer her a snack if she is hungry for it. Toddlers don't always feel hungry at what we consider mealtimes. Otherwise the types of foods you give her look very nutritious.

[elelfrance]

that sounds very healthy, and correct portion sizes, i think you're on the right track !

[Grannycrabapple]

Sounds just perfect as it is. No need to worry whatsoever. Cheese on toast won't make her fat! Babies and toddlers need these kind of fats!

[slightlyconfused85]

I have a 2.5 year old dd who has also always been in the 91st for weight and the 98th for height. She has always loved her food and at times I have worried. I have learnt not too though as I know I feed her a balanced diet with lots of fruit and veg and she has occasional treats so as not to feel like these are a big deal. Your DD sounds perfect and you are feeding her well balanced food. Be glad you haven't got a fussy and try not to project worries onto her. If you use toddler size plates and bowls and don't heap them then it will guide you for portion amount. They really are all different

[Tftpoo]

That sounds pretty much exactly what my twins (14mths) eat in terms of type of food and portions. The only difference is weetabix - my two ate three each this morning and would have kept going if I hadn't put the box away. Sounds like she's spot on in terms of weight and height. I think it's important to look at both measurements as it gives you a sense of whether they are in proportion.

[flibbetygibbett]

Thank you all so much. You have made me feel much better. Although I really want DD to enjoy her food and not worry about it, I think a part of me is scared of making her overweight because for years my Eating Disorder convinced me that being overweight is the worst thing you could possibly be. I'm aware of how awful that sounds

[slightlyconfused85]

It doesn't sound awful as you have had an eating disorder. It is brilliant that your dd has a healthy relationship with food and you should be proud of that. She is normally proportioned and if there was any concern your hV would have told you. You don't need to get her weighed again before she is two, it sounds like it might cause you anxiety so just leave it and enjoy your dd and her good health

[flanjabelle]

Sounds very similar to what my dd has, don't wrry!!

dd is also at the top of the chart for height, and has moved fRom 50th to around 75th for weight. My hv is not concerned about her weight at All.

Sorry abut random typos/capitals, my phone is having a moment.

[Opopanax]

I don't think it sounds awful, either. I think it sounds like you are being very sensible in making sure that your own problems aren't potentially having an impact on your daughter. You sound like a caring and kind parent to me.

[Littlef00t]

You only need to worry if the weight doesn't match height but the HV was right in saying you need to be led by your baby as the amounts babies eat varies enormously.

My dd has loads of full fat yoghurt and cheese and full fat milk everyday. She's growing and needs it.

The diet sounds very healthy, and your baby will indicate when hungry/full so do be led by her.

[Waggamamma]

Sounds great to me. Very balanced and healthy.

if you feel she is always hungry try adding some more protein; chicken, peanut butter, nuts? But honestly it sounds fine.