Your baby has achieved his one year old mark, and you are so excited. He is now making clumsy, rather endearing efforts to feed himself, and he has developed his own taste for certain foods, making distasteful expressions at things he does not like, which is part of normal healthy baby development. This makes it easier for you to plan what to feed him. Now, you only have to come up with innovative yet practical ways to feed your baby. You both will have lots of fun exploring this new aspect of your relationship.
New Eating Development of Your One Year Old Baby
This is the perfect time to consider weaning your baby from breastfeeding. You cannot make this a radical change; it should be a gradual process, perhaps leaving out one nursing session at a time. To take its place, give baby a snack or a cup of milk.
You may decide to omit breast milk or formula altogether, and replace it with fortified cow’s milk, but do not switch to low fat foods. Whole milk is recommendedas it contains the additional fat that the baby needs to support brain development.
Now that your baby is being introduced to solid food, make sure that you do not give him food bits that can readily become lodged in his throat, and do not leave baby unattended while he eats.
What to Feed a One Year Old
1. Foods to Feed a One Year Old
You may think it logical that now that baby is older, so he should be eating more food. However, do not become surprised if this is not the case. The baby’s nutritional requirements should make up about 1000 calories daily.
Ideally, baby’s daily diet should consist of the following:
|
Nutrition Groups |
Food & Amount |
|
Staple foods (6 to 11 servings per day) |
Dry cereal...............................................................1/4–1/2 cup or 60–120 mL Noodles, rice, cooked cereal....................................1/8–1/4 cup or 30–60 mL Crackers ............................................................................................1–2 small Bread slice, tortilla, roll, muffin, pancake, waffle......................................1/4
Get baby to consume some whole grain food daily. |
|
Dairy products (4 to 6 servings per day) |
Milk or breast milk..............................................................1/2 cup or 120 mL Cheese..................................................................................3/4 ounce or 20 g Cottage cheese ...................................................................3/4 cup or 180 mL Yogurt, pudding or custard made with milk .....................1/2 cup or 120 mL Frozen yogurt, ice cream…………………….............................. 3/4 cup or 180 mL
Don’t give baby low fat milk until he reaches 2 years old. |
|
Fruits and vegetables (2 to 5 servings per day) |
Fresh fruits................................................................................1/4–1/2 small Canned or frozen fruits..................................2–3 tablespoons or 30–45 mL Juice .....................................................................................1/8 cup or 30 mL Cooked veggies................................................2–3 tablespoons or 30–45 mL Raw veggies.....................................................2–3 tablespoons or 30–45 mL
Suggested Vitamin C sources are strawberries, mango, papaya, oranges. Dark green or yellow veggies are recommended, like squash, cooked carrots, broccoli. |
|
Protein foods (2 to 3 servings per day) |
Meat, chicken, turkey, fish..........................................1 tablespoon or 15 mL Eggs...................................................................................................................1/2 Cooked dry beans, lentils ....................................................1/4 cup or 60 mL Peanut butter ..............................................................1 tablespoon or 15 mL Tofu ........................................................................................1/4 cup or 60 mL
Meats and beans are rich in iron. |
|
Fats, oils and sweets |
Offer baby fats, oils and sweets these foods occasionally. |
Notes: Your baby should eat about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of each food for each year of his age. For example,if your baby is 2 years old, he should get 2 tablespoons of vegetables. Only give him more if he asks for it.
2. One Suggested Daily Menu for Your One Year Old
At one year old, baby should weigh approximately 21 pounds (9.5 kg). This food plan is appropriate:
|
Meals |
What to Eat |
|
Breakfast |
½ cup fortified cereal or 1 boiled egg ¼ - ½ cup whole milk (with cereal optional) ½ banana, sliced 2-3 strawberries, sliced |
|
Snack |
½ cup whole milk 1 slice whole grain toast or muffin, with 2 tablespoons peanut butter, or yogurt with sliced fruit |
|
Lunch |
½ cup green vegetables, cooked ½ cup whole milk ½ whole grain sandwich with protein filling – tuna, egg salad or sliced turkey |
|
Snack |
1 cup whole milk 1-2 ounces cheese or 2-3 tablespoons fruit |
|
Dinner |
½ cup whole milk ½ cup staple food e.g. potato, pasta, rice ½ cup yellow vegetables, cooked e.g. squash, carrots 2-3 ounces cooked meat, mashed |
It is noteworthy that at one year old, your baby may have a smaller appetite, so it is important that whatever small quantities he eats be enriched in the right amounts with the nutrients his body needs. Foods should be introduced one at a time so that allergic reactions to any food may be readily identified.
Watch this video to find out more about what to feed a one year old:
Tips on What to Feed a One Year Old
At one year old, your baby should be able to cope with the same food that is purchased for the rest of the family. There is less need to perform separate grocery shopping for him, as he can essentially eat off the table. But note the following:
- Baby is unaware of the dangers of hot food, so make sure that it is at the ambient temperature for not burning his mouth.
- Foods that are particularly salty, spicy, greasy or sweet should not to be offered to the baby, as they do not foster good health in the long run.
- Make food attractive and exciting by providing different shapes, colors and textures. Food should be sized in a way that the baby can easily grasp them.
- Do not walk away while the baby is eating at the table. He should be observed constantly during the meal to eliminate choking hazards.
- Sit down together with your baby during eating time. Your one year old would enjoy his meals more if he sits with the family.
- Try to establish a set mealtime routine.
- If the baby is disinclined to eat, do not force him or turn mealtime into a game. You may offer him a nutritionally equal alternative.
- At this “explore” stage, your baby will definitely play with his food. When he is no longer interested in eating, remove the food.
- Your child may be a messy eater. Expect him to spill. Feel free to introduce him to child spoon or fork.
- Baby needs to learn that mealtime is for everyone. Do not make him the focus of your attention.
- Mealtime is a good time for family conversation. Do not turn on the TV during meals.
- Remember that babies learn by actions of parents, so set a good example by choosing carefully what you eat.
