With incisors in view and that first fistful of birthday cake still fresh in their memory, your toddler may be hungry for a taste of some additional mealtime independence. Finger foods and handheld options tend to be a big hit at this age since they allow for that freedom.
While your child will most likely not have mastered how to use a spoon yet, those self feeding skills will continue to improve over the next few months. Feel free to let them attempt to eat with a spoon but also be open to allowing them to experience the tactile side of eating that these littles ones so enjoy. Giving them small amounts of food on their trays or plates helps keep messes from becoming overwhelming. A post dinner bath may still be in order depending on the meal though.
If your little one hasn’t had a bout of mealtime fussiness yet, it may surface in the near future. Well loved foods may not be so well received on a given day or their newfound mobility may trump any interest in pausing to eat. Every day will look a little different so try not to be discouraged if you encounter some additional challenges in this stage.
- Take note of small improvements if mealtimes tend to be difficult for your toddler.
- Keeping meals to 20 minutes or so may be helpful since sitting still is not likely something your little one is too keen on right now.
- While it may seem too brief to be worthwhile, if the whole family is able to sit down and eat a meal together it’s a great opportunity for your toddler to learn and enjoy the social aspects of mealtimes.
- Seeing you eating and enjoying the same food they have in front of them can help overcome the hesitancy that can accompany new foods.
- Try serving your toddler from your plate if they seem more interested in what you have even though it’s exactly the same. There’s just something special about a parent’s plate that can make everything seem more appealing.
Kid Friendly Chicken and Broccoli Quesadilla
Is baby getting enough?
If at some point you become concerned your child isn’t getting enough to eat, keep a food log of their meals and snacks to get a better look at the bigger picture. They may be eating more than you realize between small meals and snacks. If you are still concerned after looking over your toddler’s food log, contact your pediatrician and they will be able to give you insights into the range of expected eating patterns for your child’s age group.
There’s no one right way to eat so trust your instincts with your child. Even as adults some of us tend toward three meals a day while others prefer snacks and smaller meals. Every child’s eating personality will be a little different so don’t feel pressured to force them to eat one way or another. Offer them a variety of nutritious foods for their meals and snacks and go with the flow. You know your child best. While this stage will have its challenges, there are also many joys in seeing your child try new things and enjoy the foods you’ve made.
Happy, Healthy Handhelds (12-18 months) Meal Plans
Join today for access to these great meal plans!
Perfect for tiny hands, these seasonal meal plans are a fun way to introduce some new textures and flavors.
More questions or ready to move on to the next stage?
To see what we’ve covered in the series already and what’s ahead check the links below!
- Introduction
- How to Prep and Store
- Equipment
- Early Start (4-6 months)
- Help Myself (9-12 months)
- Happy, Healthy Handhelds (12-18 months)
- Big Kids (18+ months)