Toddler Mealtime Routines And Tips

Toddler Mealtime Routines And Tips

16 Mar 2022 | 2 min Read

Babychakra

Author | 1369 Articles

Mealtime can be messy as well as a fun for both you and your baby. Ideally, your child should have three meals and 2 to 3 snacks per day by 12 months.

But sticking to this routine can be pretty tricky, keeping the activeness level of the baby in consideration.

Here are some routines and tips for mealtimes:

  • Make your child habitual of washing his hands before and after having food.
  • Make your child seated at a safe place. You may choose a high chair or booster seat for the same purpose. Starp your child safely and let your child start on its own.
  • To avoid messiness, you may use a table mat or newspaper below your child’s plate. So that whatever things fall off from the plate gets into the newspaper or table mat.
  • Face your child see other family members as well as you while eating. Limit the distractions like video, mobile phones, TV, or soft toys.
  • You may try to catch your child’s attention towards you to understand how he must follow like others. Make sure you are not forcing your child to eat food or complete his plate. Mealtimes should be happy and enjoyable.
  • Suppose you are worried that your child may break dishes and cups. You may use unbreakable plates and cups for your baby until you see the confidence in your child.
  • Sitting for mealtime together as a family helps a child learn good eating habits faster and develop good social skills.
  • Let your child decide the amount of food he wants to eat. Do not force him to eat more or drink more. This forceful act can develop a dislike for mealtime in your child.
Doctors do not recommend using screens or any other electronic gadgets during mealtime as your child may not naturally develop a liking for the food. Moreover, he may start using mobile phones while eating, which is not a good habit.

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Suggestions offered by doctors on BabyChakra are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only. Content posted on, created for, or compiled by BabyChakra is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about any symptom, condition, or the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or treatment for a given person.