Skip to main content
Toddler girl smiling up at mom

12-18 Months Feeding Guide

Follow our guide for feeding 12- to 18-month-old toddlers. The amount and type of food your baby or toddler eats will vary.

Toddler Hunger Cues

How Much Should a Toddler Eat?

Key Nutrients

DHA
Docosahexaenoic Acid

DHA is an Omega-3 fat prominent in your little one's brain and important for his normal brain and eye development. By your toddler's 2nd birthday, most of his brain growth will have already occurred.


Tip
If using a toddler nutritional drink, use a formula that has DHA. Now that your little one is eating solids, fatty fish is another excellent way to ensure their diet is rich in DHA.†


Average DHA amount in breast milk: 0.32% of total fatty acids

Iron

Iron is essential for your toddler's physical and mental growth, and as your little one grow, they need more to meet their nutritional needs. Now that your tot is eating solid foods, make sure you provide iron rich foods.


Tip
Iron from animal products, especially meat, is absorbed more easily than from other sources. Vitamin C also helps absorption of iron from plant sources.

Calcium

Your toddler needs calcium for healthy development, especially of their bones and teeth.

* Average amount of DHA and ARA in worldwide breast milk is 0.32% and 0.47% (mean ± standard deviation of total fatty acids) based on an analysis of 65 studies of 2,474 women).

† For example, herring, mackerel, pollock, salmon and shrimp. Visit the FDA website for advice regarding eating fish.

Explore Formula Options