Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask you what are the feeding rules for a 2 year old?

53 replies

Cailinsalach · 04/08/2013 14:25

I am very excited (tena lady emocion). My dgd is coming to visit me for a week. It will be the first time on our own since she was a few months old.
So what should I feed her? Or rather, what should I avoid?
I often see disparaging remarks about Fruit Shoots. Is weak squash ok? Milk? Fizzy pop is out, I know that one.
I thought dinners like cottage pie, pasta, lots of vegetables and lean meat. Fruit for pudding, occasional ice cream for a treat.
Is tinned tuna ok? Fish fingers?(I worry about bones you see). Where do we stand on cheese and yoghurts?
Lord, I hope she survives! My lovely DIL is so good to let me have her and I would hate to hand her back in less than perfect condition.
So what do you think? What are the unobvious no nos?

OP posts:
stargirl1701 · 04/08/2013 14:26

No predator fish - shark, marlin, etc. as they contain high levels of mercury. They should not be given till 16 years of age.

Other than that, just not too much salt or sugar.

noblegiraffe · 04/08/2013 14:28

No whole nuts, cut any grapes. Ask the mum about drink preferences, mine wouldn't touch milk.

PresidentServalan · 04/08/2013 14:28

Can you ask your DIL what she normally eats? That way you can make sure she has similar things to those she gets at home

catgirl1976 · 04/08/2013 14:29

You menu sounds great

DS loves all of the above, but also bananas, tangerines, raisins and most other fruits.

catgirl1976 · 04/08/2013 14:29

PS - Have a lovely time :)

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/08/2013 14:29

Ask your DIL. I don't give mine whole nuts. The guidance is not for toddlers because they can aspirate the bits. Apart from that, chop up trachea sized things (grapes, cherry tomatoes) and that's all I do.

Hobbes8 · 04/08/2013 14:30

My 2 year old pretty much eats what we eat, so all the meals you mention above would be fine. Be careful of choking hazards - grapes and cherry tomatoes need chopping into quarters. Small children can't eat whole nuts either - something to do with the grinding motion and little teeth.

My son sometimes has weak squash or watered down juice, but some parents only like to give their children water and milk at this age. I'm sure your DIL would give you some pointers if you ask.

Have fun! It's a lovely age.

FrogsGoWhat · 04/08/2013 14:30

Oh bless you :)

For my DD I go with water or milk only to drink - unless it's a special occasion like she's poorly or we are out for a meal - then she can have very watered juice. Usually apple.

I avoid very salty foods like crisps and too much cheese for the same reason, and chocolate and sweets are kept for very special occasions, or occasional bribery (eg getting toenails cut)

Food safety issues - always cut round food at least in half - eg grapes, cherry tomatoes. Avoid hard round sweets and lollies even if on a stick for choking risk. Try to get them to sit down to eat for the same reason.

Other than that - normal healthy eating applies! DD eats what we do :)

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/08/2013 14:30

x-posted with noble

maja00 · 04/08/2013 14:32

I have a 2 year old (almost 3 now) and just don't add salt to cooking/food, cut grapes and frankfurters lengthways and don't give him whole nuts.

Squash, diluted fruit juice, ice cream, fruit shoots are all ok with me to be honest so depends what your son/DIL think. I wouldn't dish out coke or red bull though Grin

Finola1step · 04/08/2013 14:32

You sound like a lovely MIL and Grandmother. I'm sure you gd will have a wonderful time.

I'm sure your DIL will be able to tell you the likes and dislikes (and will really appreciate being asked). Have a fab time.

FrogsGoWhat · 04/08/2013 14:33

Oh and one thing DD'd grandparents seem to forget is HOW OFTEN small children seem to need to eat! Shock DD has breakfast, mid morning snack of fruit and/or toast, then lunch, then afternoon snack, then dinner, then supper - little and often...

themaltesefalcon · 04/08/2013 14:33

If my two-year-old daughter is a guide, icecream (or rather, i-gree!) is a staple rather than a treat. She also loves Fruit Shoots and I don't mind at all- so long as she's keeping her fluids up in this weather.

Your proposed menu sounds great. Perhaps have tins of alphabetti spaghetti (or whatever it is that she is guaranteed to eat) to hand in case she rejects your meals. The only things my kid will ALWAYS eat are baked salmon, baked potatoes, steamed carrots, tinned spaghetti, mince stew, bananas, cheddar cheese, trifles, yoghurts and icecream. Especially icecream.

CheeseFondueRocks · 04/08/2013 14:36

And if you do cut grapes only in halves and not quarters, do it LENGHTWAYS!

Princessgenie · 04/08/2013 14:36

I would just ask your dil to give you a list of what she usually has, and how much of it. And whether there is anything specific you avoid. Everyone is different.
It's been so hot recently that I've given the odd fruit shoot as she'll drink the whole thing and it keeps her hydrated.
She loves fruit and will eat it until it comes out of her ears.
She'll eat pretty much whatever we do.
Am sure your dil will be happy you've asked - I would - I'd want to give a list but wouldn't want to offend so it would make me feel much calmer.
Have you asked/do you know her daily routine. My little one is quite structured about when she likes to sleep - entirely her doing but she pretty much just shuts down at 12.45. Might be useful to know things like that too.
Have a fabulous time xxx

quesadilla · 04/08/2013 14:37

Your menu sounds perfect... All good, healthy stuff. But you will probably be lucky if she eats all that. Most 2 year olds are quite fussy. I'd ask her mum for some advice.

Main ground rules I would say would be to steer clear of too much sugar and processed food unless the mum is ok with it.

FrogsGoWhat · 04/08/2013 14:38

DD loves jacket potatoes, mash, pasta, toast, weetabix, salmon, fish fingers, all veg, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, all fruit and definitely ice cream and yoghurts! DD wont eat meat even hidden as mince, or tinned tuna - but I'm sure your DIL will tell you what your DGD likes/dislikes. :)

Sirzy · 04/08/2013 14:39

For my DS that would be great, he has always eaten pretty much what we eat all he wouldn't eat from your list is the fish fingers.

I would talk to your son and his partner to find out what she normally eats and try to keep it as close as possible - with more treats obviously!

Turniptwirl · 04/08/2013 14:42

Ask her parents what restrictions they have and stick to them even if you disagree (since you've asked).

Some are extremely fussy others aren't so find that out to

Remember that she is out of her normal routine and may be more fussy than usual. Eating something is better than nothing and living on bananas for a weekend won't kill her .

Thumbwitch · 04/08/2013 14:44

Definitely ask your DIL (and son) first and foremost, and stick to what she/he says as much as possible. :)

But as others are saying, keep the sugar and salt to a minimum (but also the aspartame!) and all the things you suggested in your OP sound fine. Not too much tuna though.

Original poster
Cailinsalach · 04/08/2013 14:45

Thanks everyone. I had forgotton about the nuts! My DIL thinks I know/remember more than I really do. My sons were lucky to have survived really!
My dgd has porridge for breakfast. I eat mine with seeds, sunflower pumpkin, you know the omega 3 mixed bag thingy. Should I sprinkle some on her porridge? Are seeds risky like the nuts?
I wouldn't have thought to cut up a cherry tomato or a grape.
I had no idea about predator fish! Actually a bit of smoked haddock is about as adventurous as I get but that is a winter dinner for me.
I am just so excited to have her. Her Mummy is joining us for a few days after our week together. PG the weather will be good as I have loads of stuff I want to do with her. Beach, boat trip to the Aran Islands, cruise on Lough Corrib, visit my Aunts farm to see the ducks and chickens, picnics.....she needs to stay until she is ready to start school so we can fit it all in!

OP posts:
FrogsGoWhat · 04/08/2013 14:48

My DD absolutely loves proper porridge for breakast - and even later cold as a snack (weirdo Hmm). I would have no problem with her having seeds either. DD also has crunchy peanut butter - it's just whole nuts that are advised against.

Yes forgot about the aspartame - limit it if you can as well as no salt in cooking etc.

It sounds like she will have a lovely time :)

PlateSpinningAtAllTimes · 04/08/2013 14:54

Ahh you sound lovely OP! Agree with all the advice upthread, re. porridge my DS wouldn't eat it with 'bits'in (when he was 2 or now at 4!) - he has it with honey and sometimes raisins or blueberries. Have a lovely time Smile

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/08/2013 15:45

Now I want to come and stay . Room for a little one?

MummyPig24 · 04/08/2013 15:49

You sound like a very caring grandparent! How lovely!

I agree, ask dil for a list of things she will definitely eat. Some children can be fussy. I allow my children to have a fruit shoot when we visit grandparents (once or twice a week) or if we go out. They drink weak squash or dilute juice at home, dd won't drink milk but ds will, they both have water too. I'm happy for them to have a treat like ice cream or chocolate most days.

They like porridge but might not eat it with seeds on. You could ask gd if she wants to try it.

I think cottage pie etc is pretty reliable food most children will eat.