HEALTHY EATING FOR BABIES & TODDLERS

Healthy eating for toddlers
Toddlers are at an age where they should be eating a good variety of foods at regular meal times. Breakfast is particularly important, as it is not good for the child to go for long periods without food.
Young children often need a small snack in-between meals to meet their needs for energy and growth. Some ideas for healthy snacks include fresh fruit, cheese cubes/slices, toasted fingers, small sandwiches and raisins. Try not to allow sweets and sugary foods in-between meals, except as a treat. They contain little goodness and are bad for teeth.
Children under 2 years of age should drink full cream milk. After 2 years semi-skimmed milk may be given if the child is eating and growing well. Skimmed milk should not be used under the age of 5 years.

DO

• Let young children feed themselves. Offer finger foods e.g. cheese triangles, fish fingers, bread soldiers.
  
• Cut food into bite-size pieces.
  
• Give a drink with the meal. Too many drinks will make the child feel full, particularly if given just before a meal.

DON'T

• Rush the child when eating.
  
• Let the child become distracted with noises such as the television when eating.
  
• Make a fuss if the child refuses to eat. This is quite common and is part of growing up.

Healthy eating for infants
Babies usually start to eat solids at around 4 to 6 months of age. The following chart illustrates the meal patterns infants should be adopting.

4-5months
On waking: Breast or bottle-feed
Morning: 2-6 teaspoons baby rice mixed with baby milk
Breast or bottle feed
Afternoon: Breast or bottle-feed
Dinner: 2-6 teaspoons fruit/veg puree (home-made or tin/jar)
Breast or bottle feed
Bedtime: Breast or bottle-feed
NOTE: NEVER ADD SOLIDS TO A BABY'S BOTTLE

5-6 months
On waking: Breast or bottle feed
Breakfast: 6-12 teaspoons baby cereal mixed with baby milk
Breast or bottle feed
Lunch: 6-12 teaspoons fruit/veg puree
Or 1/2-1 tin/jar baby food
Or 4-6 teaspoons dried baby food (mixed as on packet)
Drink of cooled, boiled water or diluted fruit juice
Dinner: As lunch
Breast or bottle-feed
Bedtime: Breast or bottle-feed
NOTE: DO NOT ADD EXTRA SALT OR SUGAR TO BABY'S FOOD

6-9 months
On waking: Breast or bottle-feed
Breakfast: Cereal/rusk with milk
Breast or bottle feed
Lunch: Chopped hard-boiled egg with toast fingers
Or savoury junior variety of baby food
Yoghurt or milky pudding or baby dessert or stewed fruit
Cooled boiled water or diluted fruit juice.
Dinner: Pureed/minced meat, chicken or fish with mashed veg and
potato. Breast or bottle-feed
Bedtime: Breast or bottle-feed
NOTE: TRY GIVING SOME DRINK FROM A CUP OR BEAKER

9-12 months
On waking: Drink of diluted fruit juice
Breast or bottle-feed if needed
Breakfast: Breakfast cereal or toast
Drink of baby milk
Lunch: Sandwiches or macaroni cheese or baked beans/hard boiled egg with toast or home made soup with bread
Sliced fresh fruit or yoghurt or milky pudding
Drink of cooled, boiled water or diluted fruit juice
Dinner: Chopped meat, chicken or flaked fish/fish fingers
Vegetables, potatoes, rice or pasta
Stewed or fresh fruit
Drink of baby milk or diluted juice
Bed-time: Drink of baby milk or breast feed
NOTE: SUGARY SNACKS AND DRINKS WILL CAUSE TOOTH DECAY. OFFER FRESH FRUIT, CRACKERS OR BREAD BETWEEN MEALS IF THE CHILD IS HUNGRY