How many calories does a toddler need?

95kcalories per kilogramme of bodyweight (adults need only 30-35 kcal per kg body weight)

My toddler's gone off their milk, what can I do?

It's not unusual for toddlers to go off their milk once they are onto a full mixed diet with lots of other exciting foods to eat.

When they were younger, milk was the most important provider of the energy and nutrients your child needed for healthy growth and development.  However, as the diet becomes more diversified it is possible to provide these nutrients and energy in other ways and the amount of milk they need becomes less.  Having said this, milk is still an important part of the diet for toddlers, providing valuable protein, energy, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, and you should aim to give them about  ½ pint  (300ml) each day.  If your toddler won't take this amount, may sure other dairy foods are offered e.g. yogurt, milk on cereals, cheese, custards and sauces.  You should aim to give your toddler three portions of dairy foods per day, either at mealtimes or as snacks.

When should I start giving my toddler milk in a bottle?

Toddlers' becoming attached to their bottles and not wanting to use a beaker or cup is a common problem, but you should aim to get your toddler away from bottles and teats as soon as possible.  Milk served from a cup or beaker instead of a bottle is much kinder to their teeth - drinking from a bottle can increase the time for bacteria to convert the milk sugar lactose into acids that cause tooth decay.  Long periods of sucking on a teat can also delay the development of your toddler's speech.

You could try your toddler on an open lidded cup straight away, or you might prefer to use a trainer cup/beaker to get your toddler used to the idea of drinking this way first.  There are many different types of beaker with different types of lids and spouts to try, and you may find yourself buying more than one type before you find the one that suits your toddler best.  But persevere, it will be worth it.  

I am worried about my toddler's weight. Who can I talk to?

If you are at all concerned about your toddler's weight, it is advisable that you speak to your doctor or health visitor.  They will be able to check out their weight and their height and plot it against standardised growth charts.  It would be a good idea to take your child's health record along with you to the appointment so that they can check these measurements against their previous growth measurements. 

If they then think that your toddler might be a bit heavier than they should be, they might advise you to check that they are active enough and that they are eating the right amounts and types of foods.  You should then consider what you are feeding them and perhaps if they are snacking on more sugary foods than they should be or drinking excessive amounts of sugary drinks or milk.  You might be asked to record their typical intake of foods and drink for a period of time so that they can see where there may be problems.  But whatever you do, don't make radical changes to your toddler's diet without consulting a health professional first.  They have very specific nutritional needs and you don't want to interfere with their normal growth and development by making unnecessary changes to their diet. 

My toddler won't drink water - what can I do?

Try diluting fruit juice with a little water at first and then gradually make it more and more dilute.

It's best to use a feeding cup or beaker for drinks rather than let babies or toddlers suck for a long time on a feeding bottle - even fruit juice contains naturally-occurring sugars which shouldn't be in prolonged contact with growing teeth.

Can I give my toddler fruit juice?

Milk remains the main drink for babies and toddlers, but you may like to offer diluted fruit juice as well. A great advantage of fruit juices rich in vitamin C is that they help the body to absorb vitally necessary iron.

Beware of fruit squashes aimed at older children - they could contain additives such as colouring or artificial sweeteners - and avoid fizzy drinks.

Artificial sweeteners should not be used for children under 3 years.

Tea and coffee are not suitable drinks for babies or young children - and they can reduce iron absorption.

Should I give my toddler iron or vitamin supplements?

The Government's Food Standards Agency recommends that all children between six months and five years are given vitamin drops containing vitamins A, C and D.

A healthy balanced diet containing five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, some lean meat, fish, eggs or pulses and beans, dairy foods and starchy foods e.g. bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, every day should ensure your toddler is getting enough vitamins in the diet.  But, not all toddlers will be eating a good diet or have a healthy appetite, so taking a vitamin supplement can safeguard against any vitamin deficiencies.  If, however, your toddler is drinking more than 500ml formula milk (instead of cow's milk or breast milk), they will be getting vitamins from this formula and there is no need to give them vitamin supplements.  If they are drinking less formula than this, they should be given the supplements. 

With regards to iron supplements, these aren't generally necessary and you should be able to ensure your toddler has enough iron in the diet by offering them a good range of foods in the diet from the following iron-containing foods:

• red meat
• pulses and beans
• egg
• green leafy vegetables, e.g. broccoli, spinach, watercress
• fortified breakfast cereals
• bread

Take some fruit juice or other food high in vitamin C at the same meal as iron-containing foods - vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron better.   If you are still concerned about your toddler's iron status, ask your doctor or health visitor who should be able to advise you on whether iron supplements are necessary.

How should I be looking after my toddler's teeth?

Cleaning your toddler's teeth needs to become part of his or her daily routine, brushing them twice a day, in the morning and last thing before bed.
Using a small, soft toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of children's fluoride toothpaste, brush their teeth using small circular movements, front and back.  It can help for them to watch with a mirror so they can see what you are doing.

It is also a good idea for your toddler to get used to going to the dentist for a check-up as soon as possible.  Start off with them coming with you for your check-up so that they can get used to the environment - dentists try hard to make children feel comfortable having their teeth checked and will often give out stickers too!

When can I start giving my toddler semi-skimmed milk?

From two years old, you can start giving your toddler semi-skimmed milk. Fully skimmed milk isn't suitable as a main drink until they're five years old, because it doesn't contain enough calories for a growing child.

What is a ‘toddler size’ portion of fruit and vegetables?

You just need to use your commonsense here!  A toddler-size portion is, for example, half a piece of fresh fruit, a small handful of berries, one plum or apricot, one tablespoon of cooked vegetables, or a small glass of fruit juice (diluted). 

What is ‘one serving’ of dairy products?

Toddlers need less milk than babies, and should have around three servings of dairy products a day. One serving is:

• About 120ml (4 fl oz) of whole cow's milk or infant formula
• A 120g pot of full fat yogurt or fromage frais
• Cheese in a sandwich or on a slice of pizza
• A serving of cheese sauce e.g. in macaroni cheese