Toddlers don't need to gain much weight from age 1 to 3, and therefore don't need to eat very much. Your toddler may become a picky eater, and you may worry that he or she is not eating enough. Remember, this is a normal, healthy response to your child's decreased energy needs. Show
However, toddlers continue to learn many new things during mealtimes: how to hold utensils and cups and feed themselves, the taste and texture of new foods and how to decide when they are hungry or full. As the parent, you are only responsible for deciding which foods to offer your child. Your child should be allowed to decide what to eat, how much — and even whether or not to eat. Mealtimes should be enjoyable for everyone. Do not force a child to eat or to try a food he or she is refusing. Introducing New Foods
Making Mealtimes Pleasant
Developing Healthy Attitudes
NutritionCaloriesChildren regulate their food intake and eat the amount of calories they need, if the parent offers healthy foods. You do not need to count calories to know your child is eating properly. Toddlers can get the nutrients and calories they need from a vegetarian diet, but it requires careful attention to the types of foods you provide, and it's usually best to supplement with a vitamin. Please talk to your child's doctor if you choose to feed your toddler a vegan diet. Dairy products and eggs can help provide needed protein and calcium. FatChildren's brains continue to grow during the second and third years of life. Since fat helps nerves develop, do not limit the amount of fat in your child's diet. After age 3, it is appropriate to limit your child's fat intake. IronToddlers often become iron deficient and anemic. Iron is extremely important for brain development, and toddlers who are iron deficient may have more difficulty learning. The best sources of iron are found in red meat, and this form of iron is more easily absorbed by the body. Iron-fortified infant cereal is also a great iron source. If you can, add infant cereal to your toddler's foods — for instance, mixing the cereal into yogurt — for as long as possible. Small amounts of iron are also found in eggs, spinach, fortified breads, beans and sardines. CalciumDairy products (cheese, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt) and eggs are the best sources of calcium. Calcium-fortified orange juice, broccoli, sardines and tofu also contain calcium. Your child needs about 500 mg of calcium a day. Juice and MilkYour child should not drink more than 4 ounces of juice a day. During the second year of life, toddlers don't need to drink milk. However, they do need some of the nutrients that milk provides, including protein, calcium and fat. These nutrients can be obtained from other foods. Toddlers who drink milk should drink whole milk. Try to limit your child to about 12 to 16 ounces a day, so he or she will be hungry for other, more nutritious foods. At age 2, your child can switch to low-fat milk. Nursing toddlers don't need additional milk. Vitamin SupplementsToddlers' diets are nearly always lacking in iron, calcium, zinc and vitamins. Consider giving your child a chewable multivitamin with iron as soon as he or she can chew one. Other sources of these vitamins and minerals include toddler formulas, Carnation Instant Breakfast and liquid vitamins. Please talk with your child's pediatrician about choosing a supplement for your child. Which nursing advice is appropriate for the parents of a 2 year old who resists going to bed cries and bangs the head against the wall?A 2-year-old child resists going to bed and has the habit of banging his or her head against the wall and crying when a parent tries to place the child in the bed. What advice should the nurse to the parent? Praise the child after the temper tantrum for any positive, appropriate behavior.
Which response would the nurse recommend when a 3 year old child hits their parent and laughs?While caring for a 3-year-old child, the nurse finds that the toddler hits the parent and laughs. What is the appropriate reaction to the toddler in this situation? Tell the child to stop hitting, because hitting hurts others. Tolerate the child's behavior until the hitting stops.
How much should 18 month old eat?What should my 18-month-old be eating? Continue to offer your child a variety of foods at each meal and during snack time. Most toddlers should eat about ¾ to 1 cup of fruits and veggies, ¼ cup grains and three tablespoons of protein per day. Looking for some tasty and nutritious meal inspiration?
Which action would the nurse recommend to the parents of a toddler age client who has a difficult temperament when disciplining the child?A toddler-age child who has a difficult temperament should be disciplined with time-outs and physical containment. Ignoring the child's behavior is not effective for any type of temperament.
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