At 1yo, what should this eating business look like (more or less)?

[delasi]

As DS is steadily approaching 1yo, and food starts to be more than just 'for fun', I have started to wonder what and how much he might need.

I realise that children vary, so just roughly what is your experience or knowledge of a good diet from 1+?

I know a couple of parents with DC aged 1-2yo and the big worry they share in discussion is refusing food/not eating much, so they are giving formula to try and compensate. My gut feeling is not to worry about it, that full fat milk will be fine, and that there will be days where DS eats lots and others where he doesn't and that it'll all even out. Is that a reasonable assumption?!

Also is there a recommended amount for milk consumption at that age? Currently FF and plan on moving onto full fat milk.

[ilovepowerhoop]

around 300mls is recommended from age 1. This doesn't all have to be in drink form as milk in cereal, in foods and other dairy counts too. At age 1 both of mine had 2 milk feeds (am and pm) and 3 meals along with the odd snack mid morning/afternoon.

[headoverheels]

I agree with your approach OP. I dropped all breastfeeds and bottles for my three DC by around 13m, after that they had full fat milk in cups and on cereal plus plenty of cheese, yogurt etc. I believe that too much reliance on formula will mean they aren't interested in food. Mine are all good eaters now.

[HeyMicky]

Yes to 300ml milk. DD 13m has boob on waking, a little in a cup with breakfast and again before bed, the rest is milk in cereal, cheese, yoghurt etc

I use the rule that the average toddler meal should have carbs equivalent to the size of their fist, protein the size of their palm and fruit/veg they can hold in a cupped hand. Eg dinner last night was a piece of salmon, a handful of peas and some pasta twirls with pesto. (She also had a finger of mango and 1/3 pot of rice pudding.)

[delasi]

Thanks for the tips and info so far everyone, especially the portion guide HeyMicky, helps me to try and visualise what a toddler meal looks like!

[MNPlovespumpkincarving]

Current 12mo has reduced her milk to ~200mls now we have stopped bottles, she has yogurt every day and often a baby fruit custard or yogurt pouch for breakfast. She eats 2 cooked meals of about 3 tablespoons of meat, veg, carb and a gravy/roux sauce plus fruit puds. She isnt a snacker.

[mummysbigsmiles]

I spoke to my health visitor just the other day because my 13mo is refusing foods she has been getting sine she was 5 months, she told me the biggest mistake i could make is substituting the foods for milk. Its very frustrating when you slave over a cooker then they push it away. :(