Nutrition for toddlers

Key Points

Introducing solid food

Preschoolers

Vegetarians

Iron Deficiency

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Key Points

·         Introduce solids gradually from 6 months of age, including those containing iron

·         Provide a wide variety of nutritious foods for children to choose from

·         Give at least 2 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit each day.

·         Avoid giving young children tea to drink.  Water or milk is best.

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Introducing solid food

·         Breastfeeding is best for babies

·         If baby is not breastfed use infant formula until one year of age

·         Don’t give your baby normal cow’s milk until 12 months of age

·         From around 6 months of age small amounts of solids can be introduced

·         First foods should be plain, soft and smooth eg baby rice or infant cereal, pureed  fruit or vegetables, cooked and finely minced lean lamb, beef, chicken liver or kidney.

·         Start with one new food at a time

·         Don’t add salt or sugar to baby’s food

·         Don’t give young children tea to drink

 For more information see the Health Ed resources: Starting Solids; Eating for Healthy babies and Toddlers                                                 

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Preschoolers

To help children develop good eating behaviours:

·         provide a wide variety of healthy foods for children to choose from

·         give at least 2 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit each day.

·         encourage children to try new foods

·         keep offering foods even if the child doesn’t like them – children’s tastes change

·         let children serve themselves and decide on meal size

·         avoid using rewards or forcing a child to eat

·         have meals together as a family (when possible)

·         have mealtimes at an appropriate time for young children

• limit distractions at mealtimes (turn the TV off)
• have takeaways as an occasional treat, not as an everyday meal
• give snacks that are low in fat, salt and sugar
• limit juice and dried fruit intake because they have a high sugar content.

For more information see the Health Education resource: Eating for healthy children aged 2-12                                                     

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Vegetarians

·         Children can be vegetarian and remain healthy

·         Make sure your child is offered a range of vegetables and fruit, breads, cereals, beans, milk products, eggs, nuts and seeds

·         If your child does not drink cows’ milk, offer soy milk with calcium as an alternative

·         Seek advice from a dietician of you are concerned about your child getting a balanced diet

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Iron deficiency

• Infants have high iron needs because they are growing so fast. Many New Zealand children don't get enough iron. Infants from 6 months to 2 years are most at risk.
• Children who don't get enough iron may not learn as well, they may get sick more often, and be grumpy and tired. If children are low in iron as infants, they may have problems learning when they get to school.
• Iron comes from the food we eat. For the first year, babies should drink breast milk or infant formula milk. Don't give your baby normal cow's milk until he or she is a year old.
• From about 6 months, babies need an extra source of iron. Red meats are the best source, and babies can eat soft minced lamb and beef from about 6 months.

What can you do to help your baby get enough iron?

• Breastfeed your baby
• Use an infant formula if not breastfeeding.
• Introduce baby cereal with extra iron (eg. Farex) as one of the first foods and add soft minced lamb, beef and other meats to baby's foods from 6 months, feeding meat at least 3 - 4 times a week.
• Remember not to give babies tea to drink and not to give babies cow's milk until after 1 year.
• Never give babies and children iron supplements without the doctor's advice - they can cause bad side effects or even poisoning.

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Acknowledgements: Information sourced from Health Ed: Starting Solids; Eating for Healthy Babies and Toddlers; Eating for Healthy Children aged 2 to 12