Basic feeding guide for children from 1 to 3 years old
Diversifying the diet of children aged 1 to 3
Diversifying your toddler's diet is a real introduction to new flavors. It's also the time to adopt good eating habits. Choose the right foods and schedule your baby's meals from 1 to 3 years old!
New foods for toddlers
Diversifying your toddler's diet from the age of one is a real introduction to new flavors. Initially, milk remains essential to your baby's diet.
Milk and dairy products
Up to 12 months, a baby needs a minimum of 500 mL of milk per day. Even after one year, milk remains a staple food for toddlers (from 1 to 3 years old). You will give him or her about the same daily amount, without exceeding 800 mL of milk, and including other dairy products.
From 12 months, you can use growing-up milk instead of 2nd-age milk. This preparation is specifically formulated for the nutrition of children from 1 to 3 years old. Less concentrated in proteins and salt (sodium chloride) than cow's milk, growing-up milk is enriched with iron, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Before the age of 3, cow's milk remains unsuitable: to find out more, read our article No cow's milk for infants.
To vary the consistencies, you can also offer your baby yogurts and fromage blanc. On the same model as growing-up milk, dairy products are specifically intended for young children. Small pieces of cheese are allowed from time to time to open their palate. Start with a mild-flavored cheese rather than Roquefort!
Varied foods for infants
Before 2 years old, babies are particularly open to new flavors. It is at this stage that it is possible to introduce them to and like a variety of foods. It is common for children to become more difficult after their 2nd birthday.
Every day, your baby needs foods from each food group:
Vegetables and fruits, crushed and then cut into pieces, to provide dietary fiber, vitamins, and trace elements. Raw vegetables and raw fruits can be introduced into your child's diet. Dried vegetables (lentils, white beans, etc.) should only be introduced from the 15th month at the earliest in the form of puree;
Starchy foods to provide slow carbohydrates at each meal, such as mashed or chopped potatoes, fine pasta, rice, semolina, or bread;
Meat and fish rich in protein and fatty acids. Offer chopped at a rate of 30g per day, or 6 teaspoons. Half a hard-boiled egg is an interesting alternative;
Fats for essential fatty acids in small quantities: a teaspoon of vegetable oil is preferred, a knob of butter is also possible.
Did you know that there are heat-sensitive spoons for baby meals? Their material changes color if the food is too hot for the baby to ingest!
Baby's food enemies
Baby's food enemies are similar to those of adults. Their impact on young children is very significant since they can condition their development and future health. Thus, it is necessary to limit or even eliminate until after 3 years:
Sugar by avoiding re-sweetening desserts and fruits, and by limiting syrups, cakes, sweets, etc. To add flavor to a plain dessert, you can use honey sparingly (not before 1 year), jam or compote which provide other nutrients. Sodas, very acidic and very sweet, should be avoided before 3 years;
Fats in too large quantities. However, they are necessary for the development of many tissues and the functioning of the metabolism. Favor quality, variety and use vegetable oils rich in omega 3 (rapeseed oil, camelina oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, etc.) and omega 9 (olive oil). Avoid frying!
Salt by enhancing foods with aromatics and herbs. Did you know that vegetables, meats and fish naturally contain salt? There is no need to add salt to purees or homemade dishes, or even to store-bought baby food. The salt content of ready-to-eat baby products is also regulated and optimal for your child.
Adult food is the biggest dietary enemy of infants. It is often too rich in proteins and saturated fats, and much too salty. The temptation is great to share your pizza or hamburger/fries with your baby... resist these bad habits at all costs!
Always choose low-mineral water in a bottle or from the tap if the town hall confirms its quality to reconstitute their bottle of growing-up milk. Instill good habits in your child by offering them water as a drink throughout the day. Do not give them herbal tea without medical advice. To teach your baby to drink on their own, you can use a training cup. These ergonomic accessories have a spout for easier drinking.
Don't forget baby's oral hygiene to avoid cavities. Consult the Health Insurance advice sheet to preserve your child's dental capital. Baby can sometimes be bothered by teething to chew food. Read our article Teething: how to relieve baby.
The rhythm of meals for young children
Baby's days are punctuated by meals. Each child is different, it is necessary to adapt to their appetite and personality.
Regular meals to punctuate baby's day
At the age of 1 year, a rhythm of 4 meals per day is generally already established. This eating rhythm will then continue until adolescence. Just like adults, everyone is different and some children eat more than others. Do not be alarmed if baby is a small eater as long as their height-weight curve (or growth curve) is satisfactory. If you have any doubts, ask your doctor for advice.
If your baby is fussy, takes a long time to eat, or refuses a food, there is no point in forcing him! Mealtimes should remain a discovery and a pleasure for him. Putting him off could lead to him refusing to eat. After the age of 2, your baby's character even seems to assert itself. He does not hesitate to say "no" and refuse to taste. This phenomenon is called food neophobia, i.e. the fear of new foods. In this case, you will offer him the new food the following month, in the same form.
On the contrary, if your child is voracious and often asks for something between meals, prefer to enrich his meals at the usual times rather than encouraging snacking.
As a general rule, if your baby has not eaten anything during a meal, do not give in if he asks for something in the middle of the day: he will then no longer be hungry enough for the next meal.
Tips to make baby's mealtime a pleasure
If your child is fussy, mealtime should become a real game. You probably know this famous trick: make a plane with the spoon! Discovery also involves touch: wash his hands carefully and let him discover the food with his fingers. Baby will then be able to understand what you are giving him before putting it in his mouth. For impeccable hygiene during this fun phase, you can read our article Washing baby's hands: the essential action against germs.
Some babies prefer a bottle to eat. Don't worry: soup and compote can be taken in a bottle. "Nibblers", a kind of teat with holes, allow you to slip in a piece of fruit so that baby can enjoy without the risk of choking.
Other children are small eaters and it is sometimes difficult to regulate the rhythm of meals and the quantities necessary for their nutritional needs. In this case, enrich baby's meals: mix a dairy product into his purée, add a teaspoon of oil to his soup...