Toddler Friendly Food

[gate_pourri]

Need help with how to feed a toddler. My bff had an unexpected emergency. I offered to watch her 2 1/2 year old until she gets back into town. I will be picking the kid up from daycare tonight and have no idea how to feed this kid. I am told she 'eats anything and everything' and that is all I was told in reference to feeding her. The mom is a bit frantic, so I am sure once she lands and gets a bit settled, she will have more guidance for me.

I try to pre-plan my weekly menu, which is below. Can anyone help me figure out how to make it toddler friendly.

Ground Turkey and Bean Burritos - Should I just make her a very small burrito or give her the turkey and bean innards with cut up pieces of tortilla? Something else?

Grilled Chicken, potatoes, veggies - I think I got this one covered. Just cut everything small, right?

French Dip, French Fries, Salad - Um...??? Again, should I just give her the beef or make a small sandwich? Salad???? Just cut up veggies???

Grilled shrimp, grilled veggies, salad. - I think this one should be ok?

Spaghetti and Meatballs - Cut up the0 meatballs and just assume she will make a mess?

I plan on picking up a bag of frozen chicken nuggets that can be used if all else fails, but what are some other quick toddler friendly meals.

She gets lunch at daycare, but I will have to give breakfast, and all meals over the weekend.

I feel like this should be easy, but I am a loss here. I feel a bit dumb having to ask this on a message board. Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

Our kids just ate whatever we ate, cut small enough for them to not choke on. Be careful with lettuce as they don't chew all that well. Shrimp might be something she doesn't like but you never know. I would give her the innards of the tortilla and not worry about the shell.

 

[HelenePA]

get some snacks like gold fish, string cheese, mac and cheese if she doesn't like what you have planned out ( my almost 2 yr old has never had shrimp and probably wouldn't eat it if you gave it to him ) Grilled cheese, pudding, jello waffles and panckakes

 

[Myothername]

You can't go wrong with chicken nuggets and ketchup. I even let my son dip his green beans in ketchup as long as he ate them.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Helene's suggestions were perfect. Eggos are quick and easy for breakfast!

You could also pick up some fruit like grapes, bananas, apples and cut those up small to add to your meals so the child has something familiar.

DS3 loves slices of cucumber, cooked carrots, black olives, corn on the cob and green beans too.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think little bits of everything are fine but I would pick up 3 things at the store for backup which are Cheerios, apple juice juice boxes and 2 packages of Purdue chicken nuggets. Almost all kids eat or are familiar with these 3 things so if you offer a particular meal and the child rejects it you have back-up food... back-up is always best with kids of all ages If I only had room for one thing it would be a box of original Cherrios, they are good as a snack and for breakfast and as a side dish or as dessert... my kids and all their friends ate them non-stop they don't make a mess, aren't sugary and can go anywhere.

 

[Magpie]

My kids ate whatever we ate, with mixed results (my daughter was very picky, my son would eat anything, even shrimp!). Try for finger foods whenever possible.

Oh, and if she starts coughing because something went down the wrong way, you shouldn't panic. As long as she's actually *coughing*, then she's getting air in and she's dealing with it herself. You can actually cause MORE of a problem by hitting her on the back, because that can make her gasp and lodge the object deeper in her throat.

It's when she goes silent, and can't cough or speak, that you need to intervene. Here's a good video about what to do: http://www.thepregnancyshow.com/Toddler_CPR_-_Choking_Part_1.html

Also from the same site:

What you can do to prevent choking:

• Nuts should not be given to children until age 7 or older.
• Insist that children eat while sitting down. They should never run, walk, or play with food in their mouths.
• Cut food for infants and young children and teach them to chew their food well.
• Supervise mealtime for infants and young children. Many choking incidents occur when older brothers or sisters give dangerous foods, toys, or small objects to a younger child.
• Avoid toys with small parts and keep other small household items out of reach of infants and young children.

I would add to that that hot dogs should be sliced lengthwise - they're exactly the same size as a child's windpipe!

 

[HelenePA]

I can't help but laugh I dont do most of what is on that list.. right now I'm helping dd do her homework and he's (anthony will be 2 on sat.) walking around eating a string cheese.. amazing on how relaxed I've become since my first was born... Good Luck OP! You'll do fine! Remember walmart is always near by if you need something. Just relax and enjoy having her there!

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I would hold off on the shrimp until you talk to her mother. My grandmother has a very severe shellfish allergy, so you want to make sure they've made sure that this little girl is not allergic to the food. In the case of shellfish, sometimes simply the oils are enough to cause a reaction.

Beyond that, all of the PPs suggestions are great!

 

[Magpie]

I can't help but laugh I dont do most of what is on that list.. right now I'm helping dd do her homework and he's (anthony will be 2 on sat.) walking around eating a string cheese.. amazing on how relaxed I've become since my first was born... Good Luck OP! You'll do fine! Remember walmart is always near by if you need something. Just relax and enjoy having her there!

Well, I figured she'd want to be extra cautious since the toddler isn't hers.

My son had some slight physical issues around chewing and swallowing that meant he could choke on anything, even Cheerios - I got very relaxed about it, once I realized he wasn't going to die! I remember sitting there watching him cough once and commenting to another mother, "Want to bet on how far he'll project that cookie?" She was appalled.

 

[gate_pourri]

My kids ate whatever we ate, with mixed results (my daughter was very picky, my son would eat anything, even shrimp!). Try for finger foods whenever possible.

Oh, and if she starts coughing because something went down the wrong way, you shouldn't panic. As long as she's actually *coughing*, then she's getting air in and she's dealing with it herself. You can actually cause MORE of a problem by hitting her on the back, because that can make her gasp and lodge the object deeper in her throat.

It's when she goes silent, and can't cough or speak, that you need to intervene. Here's a good video about what to do: http://www.thepregnancyshow.com/Toddler_CPR_-_Choking_Part_1.html

Also from the same site:

I would add to that that hot dogs should be sliced lengthwise - they're exactly the same size as a child's windpipe!

Thanks for this! I wasn't thinking about chocking, but this is great information to have! I am trying to memorize this so that I don't freak out if she starts coughing...

I would hold off on the shrimp until you talk to her mother. My grandmother has a very severe shellfish allergy, so you want to make sure they've made sure that this little girl is not allergic to the food. In the case of shellfish, sometimes simply the oils are enough to cause a reaction.

Beyond that, all of the PPs suggestions are great!

Hmmm.. Ok! I will hold off on the shrimp until I hear more... I am assuming I should do the same with peanuts? Not that I have any peanuts and/or peanut butter at my house, so it is a moot point, but... Never can be too careful. Especially with someone elses child.

 

[gate_pourri]

Well... So far so good. After I picked her up at daycare, we had to stop by her house this evening to grab some clothes, DVDs and lovies. This was a very last minute trip for my friend, so there was no preparation. While there, I took a peak in the fridge and cupboards to see what was there. Than we went to the grocery store, and I got cheerios, chicken nuggets, frozen waffles, gold fish, fruit snacks and baby carrots.

Since the ground turkey was defrosted, I cooked it up as planned, and gave her a bit of the turkey/bean mixture with cheese melted on top, some cut up black olives, some cut up tomatoes and some baby carrots. She ate it all up! Than I gave her a fruit snack which she also inhaled...

Now, we have finished bath time and will start the bedtime process soon. So far so good... Keeping my fingers crossed she goes to sleep easily.

Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[december]

Glad it is going well. Just wanted to say that my 16 month old LOVES shrimp! No allergies in our family though.

 

[luvflorida]

Things sure do change when you become a grandma. Well, for me anyway! I've raised three kids. I was a nervous wreck with the first one, but by the time the third one came along, nothing fazed me. We now have our first grandchild and I'm back to being a nervous wreck.

I am so afraid of him choking on something. I always cut up everything I give him, and there are plenty of foods that I will not let him eat. I won't even give him cut up grapes or hot dog pieces, even though I know his mom and dad give them to him.

He just turned two and a few of his favorite foods include scrambled eggs, macaroni with/without cheese, applesauce, small cups of cut up fruit, chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. He likes slices of cheese, but hates grilled cheese. I don't think I've ever known another kid that didn't like grilled cheese sandwiches.

 

[bookgirl]

I used to cut my nephews hot dogs up into fourths then chop into bite size pieces. That lasted until I realized that not only did they know where the hot dogs were but they were going in getting thier own then eating them whole. LOL After that we just gave them food and semi cut up large items. By the time a kid hits two and a half/three years old they have plenty of teeth and enough sense to chew. We actually had a few chokeing events but it was because one of them had a habit of stuffing his mouth and would accidently swallow big stuff along with the chewed up stuff in the process.

 

[bonoriffic]

At 2.5 they should be able to eat just about everything you do except for overly spicy foods and a few more exotic items.

If a food doesn't go over well, try adding sour cream, sprinkled cheese or ketchup as would be appropriate. The few items my kid claims he doesn't like can instantly be turned into yummy with one of those items added.

 

[golfgal]

Well... So far so good. After I picked her up at daycare, we had to stop by her house this evening to grab some clothes, DVDs and lovies. This was a very last minute trip for my friend, so there was no preparation. While there, I took a peak in the fridge and cupboards to see what was there. Than we went to the grocery store, and I got cheerios, chicken nuggets, frozen waffles, gold fish, fruit snacks and baby carrots.

Since the ground turkey was defrosted, I cooked it up as planned, and gave her a bit of the turkey/bean mixture with cheese melted on top, some cut up black olives, some cut up tomatoes and some baby carrots. She ate it all up! Than I gave her a fruit snack which she also inhaled...

Now, we have finished bath time and will start the bedtime process soon. So far so good... Keeping my fingers crossed she goes to sleep easily.

Thanks again everyone!!!

Good thinking. If they are out of town for more than a day or so you might want to check the fridge to see if she had any meat thawing, etc. so she doesn't come home to a smelly fridge.