What are the correct foods to feed an 18 month old with all his teeth?

Question

My son is 18 months old and his dad claims that I am not feeding him right because he eats the same foods that I eat. He has all his teeth and loves solid foods. I do feed him more mushy stuff like eggs and mashed potatoes but he eats hotdogs and more protein items. He is growing and he has no baby fat on him at all. What do I need to do?

Answer 1

An 18 month old can eat *anything*. Just be sure that the form of the food doesn't constitute a choking hazard. So, instead of giving chunks of raw carrots, grate them. Or chop nuts instead of giving whole nuts. And only spread peanut butter thinly on a cracker or slice of bread, instead of giving it on a spoon.

The only exception would be if your child has food allergies. Then, obviously, you'd have to be careful and not give anything that could hurt him.

It is also best to offer healthy foods; skip the sweets and fried foods, and highly processed foods (like hot dogs). If you have *any* questions about the adequacy of his diet, talk to an expert--that would be a *nutritionist*, not a doctor. Nutrition is optional in medical school, if it is offered at all.

Answer 2

Table food is fine for a child this age. Make sure he is getting a well balanced diet, though. Fruit and vegetables should be a regular part of his diet even if they aren't a part of yours. Any kind of meat is okay. Mine have always liked hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, pork, etc. Also I've found they like the texture of ground up hamburger, like what you would make for tacos. Also, kids will grow and while some will be chubby there are others that will be skinny. As long as he is within a "normal" weight range I wouldn't be worrying. My 16 month old only weighs about 13 pounds less than my 4 year old, so really I think all kids differ.

Answer 3

I'm currently taking Child Development psychology and actually just learned about this. All babies learn differently. Your son is in the "naming explosion" stage---between 16 and 24 months. However, the average 16 month old has a vocabulary of 50 words, and by 24 months most will have learned approx. 320 words. Language is understood before it is spoken, so I would wait a few more months and then ask a doctor if he has not learned more new words. Also, by 24 months small sentences should also begin to develop. As for things you can do to help, from all that I have learned reading to your son seems to be a very good way to help. While reading point to the words as you read. Picture books that have simple, easy sentences would be a good start.

Answer 4

"At this age toddlers are transitioning from the foods and eating habits they had as infants toward a diet more like your own. Your job is to keep broadening your child's palate by introducing new flavors and textures. Food preferences are established early in life so help your child develop a taste for healthy foods now.

Toddlers have little tummies, so serve foods that are packed with the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong, and limit the sweets and empty calories.

Your toddler will continue to explore self-feeding, first with fingers and then with utensils at around 15 to 18 months of age. Give your child many opportunities to practice these skills, but lend a hand when frustrations arise. As skills develop, step back and let your child take over.

Toddlers also will start to assert their independence, and the table is one place where you should give yours some sense of control. Allow your child to respond to internal cues for hunger and fullness but set the boundaries. Remember: You decide what variety of healthy foods to offer at a meal and your child decides which of those foods to eat, how much to eat, and whether to eat at all.

Although you can now start to offer some of the foods you've been withholding (milk, citrus fruits, whole eggs), watch for allergic reactions when offering any new food. Be sure to tell your child's doctor if a close family member has a food allergy, and you may want to delay introducing that food and those commonly associated with food allergies, such as peanuts and seafood. You may need to wait until your child is 2 or 3 years old to offer some foods, or the doctor may recommend allergy testing.

Avoid foods that could present choking hazards, like popcorn, hard candies, hot dogs, raw vegetables and hard fruits, whole grapes, raisins, and nuts. Supervise your child at all times when eating."

Answer 5

At 18 months it is fine for him to be on table food. He should have the ability now to handle eating everything you do. Be sure that you are eating fruits, veggies and meats so that he also will eat them. Children tend to eat only what their parents eat and stray away from what they see their parents do not eat. Encourage his tastes by making a variety of different foods. Don't stick to the popular kid foods (hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets) as this will lead to poor eating habits in the future. I followed this rule and my children will even ask to have spinach and broccoli.

Answer 6

He can eat anything you eat except honey, swordfish and shark. There's no reason why you should continue to give him bland foods, or foods aimed at infants. Probably best to stay away from hot Indian curry. :) Other than that, anything you eat should be fine as long as it's cut up small.

Answer 7

I think he can eat anything at that age. I do suggest giving him a well balanced diet.

Answer 8

If he has teeth he can whatever you eat.