Anyone have a 1 yr old? Feeding question.

[Minnie824]

I have a 13 month old DD and she's a pretty good eater, but I need to start giving her more 'real' food to eat, I think, so I need some advice. What can I give her, and how to make it? She eats things like oatmeal, and bananas and french fries, and chicken, and a lot of other little things, but I need more of a variety of things to give her for actual meals, because as of now, she still has baby food for meals. I would try to give her what my DH and I eat, but our meal schedules aren't very consistent and we don't eat quite as healthy as we could. Any advice?

 

[faith]

Hi Minnie. Try the IVillage website. They have a section for babies with great information. Have you tried the Gerber meatsticks? Lots of protein in those with low sodium. Easy to keep in your pantry for a quick meal with some applesauce.

 

[janette]

My girls would eat canned green beans. They are a good finger food because the are stiff but easy to chew. They don't eat them now but they liked them when they were babies

 

[peg2001]

Almost anything would be fine as long as it is cut into small cubes and is not hard, tough, or chewy. Here are some ideas:

fresh fruits - pears, apples (slightly cooked), grapes (cut in half), apricot, kiwi, pineapple, strawberry, cherries (cut in half), berries, etc.

veggies - sweet peas, green beans, pinto or white or red beans (well cooked so they are soft), avocado, mashed potatos, sweet potatos, etc.

meat - best to still stick with baby jarred meat or toddler meats as these can be a bit tougher to eat without a full set of teeth; you could try a bit of fish if you be sure to remove all the bones

other - small cubes of bread (toasted whole wheat toast or pumpkin bread are very healthy choices), dry cereal (the ever present cheerios, chex, etc.), many young toddlers love tofu as well

Introduce variety NOW before your child enters the picky twos!

Have fun!
Peggy

 

[Wagamama]

Hi Minnie!!! I don't have any kids but my mom is the head of the infant room at a daycare center here in Boston. I asked her and she said that there is a book that is a MUST HAVES for feeding infants and toddlers:


First Meals by Annabel Karmel

She recommends this book to all the parents in the center. Good luck!!!

 

[Jenn]

My youngest is 14 months and she eats whatever we are having. I just make sure I cut it up small enough for her (especially the meat). She even eats steak!

For breakfast she typically has cream of wheat, oatmeal, Cheerios (her favorite), yogurt, fruit, etc.

Lunch is usually a sandwich or soup, mac n cheese, etc.

Dinner is whatever I make - last night we had ham, mashed potatoes, corn and brocolli. I cut the meat up small and put it on her tray to feed herself (which she loves to do) and I fed her the sides on a fork (less mess that way).