Feeding Schedule for 1 Year Old

That is approximately the same schedule / quanitity as my daughter (12 1/2 months). She has a little less food but one more bottle (picky eater). It sounds good to me- it also seems in line with everything I have read. There isnosuch thing as a fat baby. They all develop at their own rates.

I guess my question is why is he having so many meals?
For a one year old, how about real people oatmeal and
fruit and milk, lunch whatever you eat, and the same
for dinner. Baby food went out the window by the time
my kids were 10 months. Much preferred the real thing.

Hi S.,

It sounds like you're doing a good job feeding and caring for your child.
He sounds like a nice juicy baby.
It is alot of food if he doesn't want to eat it.
It is not enough food if he's still hungry.

Do you get it?
It depends on the baby.
And it is a feeding dance.

Food and feedings are not set in stone.
You could pull back and feed a little less, and than give a little more - like a dance.

During growth spurts my daughter would be so hungry and eat alot of food and I fed her - I let her eat as much as she wanted. And than time would go by and she had no desire for food. I let her eat as little as she please.

Sometimes parents miss that dance of feeding. They push food on kids who had enough and hold back food on kids that are really hungry.

Which one are you doing?

Good Luck.

This is what my 16 month old is doing, and I don't think, there are issues. It is harder for us, she has allergies. So I don't see anything wrong with it. My child sometimes does the 3:30-4 snack and other times does not. I think it looks good. Take care.

The only thing that really concerned me was the baby yogurt. That is a meal, not a snack. My son eats a lot also but he is healthy on the thin side, 25th percentile (like his daddy) even though he eats like a horse. If he must have the yogurt then one of his milk bottles should be replaced with water. That is what my son's doc told me to do and it works for us.

I don't have much to add, but my 8 month old is eating probably about the same amount. She's a little piggy and a tiny peanut. Your amounts sound fine. My BF thinks the same thing sometimes (obsession with weight, I think).....but he's crazy -- my baby girl just crossed the 16 lb mark.

Good luck. Keep feeding!!

add a little more fruit, less meat. He needs to find healthy things.. 8 a.m. breakfast, maybe cereal and a little piece of banana, if he needs a snack at 10:30 maybe a few crackers or a few cheerios.. not a jar of food - lunch is ok but make sure the real food is a small amt. dinner should be about 1/2 to 3/4 of what you are giving him. Make sure he gets veggies and fruit, Once the spring time comes you can make sure he is out and about walking and playing.. this will help keep his weight down. Usually 18 to 20 lbs at 1 is a good weight. good luck also try 2% or 1% milk instead of whole milk.. as milk has a lot of fat.

Hi S.,
Your schedule sounds great- three meals and two snacks.

At one year my doctor said 12-16 ounces of milk was fine if my daughter was eating cheese and yogurt.

She is 15 months old now and although she weighs only 19.5(5th %), she has a little belly too. We met one of her little cousins today who is three months old and 24 pounds! I don't think you have any worries.

S., if it seems like your son is getting a little heavy for his age ,try cutting back on the milk bottles.at the age of 1 my son was cut back to 2 bottles of milk a day,and started to give him more juice in between. milk has alot of fat&may be the reason why he"s gaineing faster.dont worry he will become more active soon & u wont have to worry about weight! good luck,E. V

That sounds like a wonderful little meal plan to me! And he sounds like he is willing to try things which is great! I wouldn't change it, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And children are supposed to triple their birth weight by 12 months. So assuming he was 7-8lbs he is right on target as far as weight goes. My daughter was 28 lbs at 1. She was also 31 inches tall and was off the charts for both height and weight. My son is 31 inches tall now and hes only 9 months old and he's about 23 lbs. My daughter is still very tall for her age (she will be 4 in april). I am 5'6 and she comes up to right below my breasts! And she is now 46 lbs and she is not fat at all. And she was a FAT baby. Babies are supposed to have bellies. You would have a belly too if you were only 2 1/2 feet tall and weighed over 20lbs! You're doing fine, don't change a thing.

I'm going to repeat what a lot of moms have already said, the meals you've listed sound fine. Most children I know will self-regulate food and stop eating (and start throwing) when they've had enough. As long as he has regular snacks so he doesn't get ravenously hungry, he will likely do a good job on his own of stopping when he's had enough. You just need to make sure you're feeding nutritious, healthy food and not heavy processed food.

That said, it was also my experience that after age 2 at about age 3, their growth slows down, they aren't as hungry, and they tend to get a little leaner and longer. Until about then, I think all of the toddlers I have seen have the little Buddha belly.

that sounds about right! I wouldn't worry at all. He sounds like a GREAT eater which is wonderful. My son (now 20 months) had a similar eating schedule at that age and is now a terribly picky eater, so take it while you can get it! :)

And always- as long as the dr. isn't concerned, I wouldn't be concerned either. Just relax and enjoy that baby boy! :)

Lynsey

If your hubby thinks your child's belly is big now, tell him to just wait when hes a toddler! Good Lord there belly's are so large! It's adorable! Keep feeding that baby, He's fine! =)

HI S.,
Congratulations on your little boy! My son just turned 1 in mid-January. He is 24 pounds and 4 oz and the doctor said he was in the 50% for weight which is just perfect. The 3 6oz bottles are what I give my son and your schedule is very similar to mine. As long as he is eating healthy food and not junk....

Hi S.
What a sweet little guy who you are not having trouble feeding and that is a blessing!!!! Our new grandson is 6 months old and weighs in at 20 pounds so I can't see that 25 is too heavy at a year. Children who are not hungry, don't eat. Babies are not shaped like little adults. Check it out!!! Babies have bellies and fat rolls on their legs, and their head is about 1/2-1/3 of their body size.
Sounds like you are a conscientious mom who is taking good care of her little one.
I opt with the MD, if he says he is AOK, then trust him to be honest with you.
Some babies get thin gaunt when they get taller, then they bulk out to that normal little belly, others get more of that little belly and then stretch out. Perhaps that is your situation. Tell your husband lets see if he is simply taller when we get to MD. Usually they are.
God bless you and all you do
God bless your family
K. SAHM married 38 years --- adult children 37, coach; 32, lawyer, married with son; and twins 18 in college after homeschooling.

Hi S.,
Well my son is 10 months old and not a great eater. But my neice is 11 1/2 months and she loves to eat. I don't think it sounds like your son eats a lot at all. She eats more than that. She can eat a 3rd stage jar and then a 2nd stage jar with finger foods also.She has a little belly. The doctor said she is fine and healthy. When the continue to walk and be active they thin out. she is 24lbs. The doctor also said the little belly is how the intestines sit. It makes the stomach bulge out a little in some babies. I wouldn't worry. Sounds like your doing great. Everyone says the babies will lead the way. If they are hungry they eat. If not they don't. My son definitely doesn't. I'm also a first time mom. I just think we need to make sure to feed them healthy. It's when they get older with snacking and bad foods we need to watch. I think that's why people say the second child is easier. I understand how the new mom's worry that they are doing things right. I know I do.

Sounds like a great plan to me! I agree with the comments about changing to real food, feed him what you all eat. Also have you switched to whole milk? When I started whole milk I gave them a sippy. My kids also had watered down juice @ 1. Follow your instincts, sometimes daddy's just don't get it! My oldest son was over 20lbs at 6 mos, he was pudgy but as he became more active with walking and grew in ht (they are like inch worms -- they get wide and then long) He is now 3.5 almost 40lbs and thin! If my kids are hungry -- I feed them, if they are not hungry, I don't force them. I think your feeding plan is great! Keep it up!

S. that sounds like a perfect meal plan to me. Most babies have that little baby belly. I will put it to you this way if he weren't hungry he wouldn't eat, so if he is eating he is getting what he needs. Tell your husband it is so much better to have a good eater then a fussy baby that you have to stand on your head to get to eat. As he grows his belly will go away, but for now he sounds perfect. His weight sounds perfect and he sounds healthy. I wouldn't worry about it your doing a great job.

My little guy hit the 25lb mark before he was 6 months! As long as you are feeding him in a healthy way, don't worry about the weight.