Between twelve and eighteen months, appetite can seem wonderfully enthusiastic one day and almost absent the next. Growth has slowed compared with early infancy, and wanting control is a normal part of development. Look at intake across a week rather than judging one meal.
Offer regular meals and snacks, include an iron-rich food each day and use full-fat dairy unless you have been advised otherwise. Keep the atmosphere neutral: serve a familiar food alongside something less familiar and let repeated exposure do its quiet work.
Toddlers should sit to eat because walking or playing with food in the mouth increases choking risk. Speak to a health visitor or GP if growth crosses centile lines, eating skills go backwards, meals cause distress or the range of accepted foods becomes very restricted.
This article offers general information and does not replace advice from someone who knows your medical history. If you are pregnant, take regular medicine or live with a long-term condition, speak to your GP, nurse, pharmacist or a registered dietitian before making a major change to the way you eat.
Portion sizes that calm parental anxiety
Toddler portions can look surprisingly small. Half a slice of bread, an egg or a few spoonfuls of stew may be enough at one sitting, and appetite can change markedly from day to day.
Try to judge the pattern across a week rather than one meal. Offer iron-rich foods regularly and use full-fat dairy foods or suitable fortified alternatives. Too much milk can crowd out meals and make it harder to obtain enough iron, so ask your health visitor if you are unsure about amounts.
Quarter to half adult portion as a rough guide.
Appetite varies - track weekly, not per meal.
Iron foods daily - meat, eggs, pulses, fortified cereal.
Reducing mealtime battles
The adult decides what is offered and when; the child decides whether to eat and how much. This division can take some heat out of mealtimes. Include one familiar food beside something new, and avoid bargaining with pudding or asking for a clean plate.
Throwing food often means a toddler is full, bored or exploring cause and effect. End the meal calmly rather than turning it into a confrontation. A washable mat under the chair and one small helping job, such as sprinkling cheese, can make the experience easier for everyone.
No praise for “clean plate” - praise sitting together.
Spill mat under high chair - stress reduction for parents.
Involve stirring, sprinkling cheese - one job only.
Nutrients that still matter
Current NHS guidance recommends daily vitamins A, C and D for children aged six months to five years, unless they drink 500 ml or more of first infant formula each day or a clinician advises differently. Offer iron-rich foods, fruit and vegetables, starchy foods and a source of protein across the day.
Full-fat yoghurt and cheese are suitable at this age. Keep water as the usual drink between meals and limit frequent sweet snacks and drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay.
Full-fat yoghurt and cheese are suitable for toddlers unless a health professional advises otherwise.
If your family eats fish, aim for two child-sized portions a week, including one oily fish portion, following current NHS guidance.
Honey is safe from 12 months, but keep it away from younger babies in the household.
Toward two to three years
Between 18 months and three years, a growing sense of independence often arrives at the table. Keep serving family food in safe forms, even when the answer is frequently no.
Structured meals and snacks remain useful, particularly because walking or running with food increases choking risk. Meal Pilot's family recipes can help you find mild curries, tray bakes and meals that can be served in separate components.
2-3 years - preschool eating.
Exam day eating - when school approaches.