Children’s food and menu and relationship with food change when they turn one year old. They are no longer babies and have new nutritional needs. We talk about new eating habits from 12 months:
Eat less
When they comply, children slow down their growth rate. If during the first year the child has added about 25 cm to its length, during the second, this amount is reduced by half. And because it grows less, it also needs to eat less. Although it is difficult to understand that an older child eats less than a small one, it is.
Eat by himself
At this age the child feels a genuine desire to eat alone . If his parents feed him to make him eat more or to avoid having to clean up later, it is likely that after a few months he will lose that impulse. The best thing to do is put a bib on him , place the plate in front of him and leave him free to fend for himself, with his hands or with the cutlery.
Already chews
Little by little, the purees and mashed potatoes give way to ‘normal’ food, the one eaten by the elderly. One of the new skills that the little one will be consolidating at this time is chewing . And he will do his best to achieve it. Chewing requires more effort than eating puree, you will get tired sooner, but it should not be mashed so that you eat more. He knows better than anyone what he needs, provided he is allowed to decide when to stop.
Sits at the family table
It is highly recommended that the child share a table with their parents and siblings . Food is a social act and, together with his family, the child learns by example and is interested in what the grown-ups eat.
From your high chair (or mom’s lap) you can show your preferences and feel like one more.
Food will be something fun and happy to share with those you love the most; and parents, dedicated to their own food and more relaxed, will find it more difficult to fall into the temptation to force him.
Your relationship with food
Milk
From one year on, it is advisable to include milk on the menu: a maximum of half a liter of milk , including yogurts and cheese. Too much dairy can prevent you from eating other foods that you also need for development . If you breastfeed , you continue to give on demand and it is no longer necessary to offer it before solids.
It is convenient to replace the bottles with a glass, to avoid two problems: that the child drinks too much milk and that the baby can provoke him.
Many babies start dairy foods at 6 months of age. From the year on, they can continue taking them mixed with fruit, for example, to expand their diet.
New foods
Around twelve months the intestines of the little ones have already matured enough and the risk of food allergy is lower. The main additions to their menu: cow’s milk, fish, and eggs.
Salt in moderation
If salt must be avoided in the first year, now you can start using small amounts of iodized salt to flavor your food. An alternative is the use of spices , such as oregano or parsley. It is also advisable to continue seasoning the food with olive oil .
