13 to 18 months
You may see a little adult next to you at the table but it’s vital to keep meeting your baby’s nutritional needs. Many new experiences and emotions will occur but there’s tons of support here in this testing phase. From shared experiences in the community to ways to economise with hearty recipes.
The body’s immune system becomes stronger over time - a toddler’s is still developing. Exposure to some foreign bacteria and viruses from birth plays an important role in strengthening your toddler’s immune system to fight future invaders. On average your toddler fights five to eight colds a year, mainly during the winter months, and this number may increase when they are exposed to other children at day care or school.
There is a lot to consider when putting together a healthy meal plan for your toddler. The following suggestions include most of what your toddler will need every day and will make the planning process easier. This is simply a guide - individual toddler needs will vary depending on their activity levels and age.
Before starting to toilet train your little one, assess their readiness. Assessing this is probably the easiest part of the whole toilet training process. However, once the process begins you may face a few challenges along the way. Staying calm and positive, as well as following some simple tips, will hopefully make the whole process a little easier.
As your baby grows into a toddler, there will be times when you are concerned about their health and whether they need medical attention for a fever or allergy. These times are concerning for a parent. This chapter will provide you with some information on some of the more common health concerns toddlers experience.
Your toddler may poo once a day or once every few days. This article explains the possible causes of constipation and how to help alleviate it.
Diarrhoea is characterised by very frequent, liquid stools. It is important to identify the cause before diarrhoea can be treated effectively. Parents often seek the advice of a dietitian or doctor if they are unsure.
Eating is an essential human function. Every country and every civilisation has created its own eating habits and cuisine. Teaching healthy eating habits to children is something parents may take for granted but it can sometimes be difficult when everyone has different taste preferences, or your child refuses to eat certain foods.
Your toddler can be over stimulated or confused by too many toys offered all at once. If you have a lot of toys for toddlers out all the time, try packing half or a third away in containers and rotate the containers each week or every few days depending on how much time you spend at home.
There is a considerable amount of change in your baby’s diet by the time they turn 12 months. At this age, your baby is undergoing development and growth because of which they need a change in their food intake. Moreover, your child is at an exploring age where his/her likes and dislike may vary from time to time. That said, keep these pointers in mind to give your baby the required nutrients at this turning point.
As your child enters his/her second year, a lot has changed. Your toddler has had its first solid meal, he/she has started learning self-feeding methods and has made initial attempts at walking. The baby’s physical and social skills have begun to develop.
The 12-14 months phase in a child's life is an exciting time. The baby now learns to move around and have a greater control over his surrounding including food. During this stage, his motor skills develop at a rapid pace and your toddler would like to touch, smell and taste everything around. As your child immerses in this happy time, support his growth by making healthy food a part of his diet.
