Your little one will be stepping into their 20th month soon, and they may begin to throw food tantrums more often. Therefore, keeping some 20 months old baby food ideas handy could help relieve some of your worries. As toddlers approach their second-year birthday, their food habits and interests keep changing. Also, your little one is undergoing rapid physical and mental developments during this time. Therefore, you must make appropriate food choices to support their growth and maintain their nutritional requirements. Read on as we bring some important foods to include in your 20 months baby’s diet, tips, and helpful techniques to feed your fussy eaters.
Must-Haves For A 20 Months Old Baby Food
The food for 20 month old baby should be nutritious. Your toddler’s diet should include the following (1):
Staples such as rice, breads, and pasta Image: Shutterstock Protein rich foods such as meats, eggs, pulses or cereals Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese Water and juices Fruits and vegetables Fats and sugar within limits
Toddler’s meals can be homemade, or ready-made baby foods, or a combination of both. Your selection should ensure that his meals contain adequate nutrition.
All About Serving It Right
If you want to ensure your toddler has balanced meals, you can adhere to the following portions.
Serve him one cup of vegetables daily.
Include a daily serving of one cup of seasonal fruits or approximately six ounces of fruit juice.
Ensure that he eats three servings of ½ cup of rice, breads or cereals, or a slice of bread in a day.
Add two daily servings of an egg or an ounce of meat or lentils in his diet plan.
Give him two daily servings of a cup of milk or yogurt or two ounces of cheese (natural or processed).
Introducing healthy eating habits from an early age can prove to be a positive step toward raising a healthy and strong child.
Tips To Make Your 20-Month-Old Baby Eat Better
As your baby tends to be fussy about eating, planning and creating a pleasant mealtime experience will make him a healthier and happier child. Adding a variety of foods to your toddler’s platter can help you develop his taste, preferences, and interest better. You can experiment with different nutritious ingredients and try new recipes to tantalize his tiny taste buds. Here are some more tips you can follow to make your little one perform better at the dinner table (2):
Mealtimes should be fun and not a battle. You should not force or bribe your child to finish his meals.
Portions should be just right. Do not indulge your baby by serving what he likes in excess, as it can lead to a feeling of bloating and indigestion.
Do not lose heart if your child has not had enough at lunch. Instead, offer him a nutritious snack after a few hours.
Dinner time should be the perfect time for the family to bond together. The ambiance should be cheerful, and you should establish a routine for mealtimes. It should be an event that your baby looks forward to and enjoys. As your baby grows, you have to try and be a good role model for him. As a parent, if you follow healthy eating habits then your toddler too will learn to eat right soon.
Points To Remember
Here are some handy tips to feed your toddler (3):
Your toddler can now sit up in his chair and enjoy mealtimes with the family. At this stage, toddlers can eat mashed food and are capable of chewing food as they have a few milk teeth. So you should allow him to mess around with a bowl and spoon or grasp tiny portions of finger foods and enjoy.
When you introduce a new food item to your toddler, only serve him a small portion in order to watch out for any allergic reaction or digestive discomfort. It is wise to avoid foods that commonly trigger allergies such as shellfish, peanuts, eggs, or certain types of cereals. Also, keep in mind your family’s history of food allergies while planning his meals. You can prevent choking by offering foods in different forms like semi-solid, pureed or mashed or chopped into bite-sized pieces so that it is easier for your toddler to eat.
