Feeding Your Toddler | Huron Perth Public Health

Toddler feeding can look different from day to day. Here's what's typical:

Appetite slows around 12 months as growth naturally steadies
Preferences may change frequently—sometimes even daily
Picky eating is very common and not usually a concern if your child is growing well and staying active

Learn More:

For a young child (12 to 24 months) - Infant nutrition | Canada.ca
- Provides guidance for feeding infants and toddlers.
Healthy eating for parents and children | Canada's Food Guide
- Provides guidance for feeding children.
Feeding at Every Age | Ellyn Satter Institute
- Provides guidance from infancy to adolescence.
The Division of Responsibility in Feeding (PDF) | Ellyn Satter Institute
- Parent and children's role during mealtimes.
Feeding Picky Eaters | STAR Family Health Team
- Register through EarlyOn (KEyON) for free online education and support. Learn strategies to support children in developing a healthy relationship with food and reduce mealtime stress. For parents and caregivers of children ages one to five years old.

Helpful Feeding Tips

Building healthy eating routines is easier when you stick to simple, positive practices:

Keep meals relaxed and distraction free.
Let your toddler help with simple food prep tasks.
Avoid using food as a reward or punishment.
Letting toddlers self-feed—even if it is messy—builds confidence and fine motor skills.
Serve family-style meals—offer one meal for everyone.
Follow Canada’s Food Guide for trusted nutrition advice.
Include a variety of foods and textures each day.

Learn More

You, Your Child and Food: Kim | HPPH
- Parent shares her experience picky eating.

Picky Eaters

Toddlers thrive with structure and low-pressure mealtimes.

Try these strategies:

Offer meals and snacks at regular times
Offer a variety of foods including new and familiar foods
Let your child’s appetite guide how much they eat
Try not to pressure or bribe your child to eat or eat certain foods. Do not force feed.
Eat together as a family and let them see you eating a variety of foods.
Stay relaxed and consistent—every small win counts

What to Offer Your Toddler

Young children’s nutrition needs are different than adults. Because they have smaller tummies, they tend to need more snacks throughout the day. Planning sit-down meals and snacks can help make meeting their nutritional needs easier.

Iron-Rich Foods

Iron is important for healthy growth and development. Try to offer iron-rich foods a few times per day:

Beef, poultry, lamb, fish,
Eggs, tofu, lentils, beans
Iron-fortified cereals and grain foods

Too much milk can limit iron intake and absorption.

Learn more:

Iron for Babies and Young Children | HPPH
Iron needs of babies and children | Caring for kids
- Clear, pediatrician-approved guidance on how much iron infants and children need, including rich food sources and tips to prevent iron deficiency.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is found in only a few foods (egg yolks and fatty fish)

Vitamin D is added to infant formula, milk and some milk products, and margarine.

If you are concerned about vitamin D, talk to your healthcare provider and consider a daily 400 IU supplement.

Learn more:

Vitamin D | Government of Canada
- Overview of vitamin D's role in health and sources (sunlight, food, supplements)
Vitamin D for Babies and Children | MyHealth Alberta
- Practical advice from pediatricians on how much vitamin D babies and young children need, including supplement recommendations.

Higher Fat Foods

Young children need more fat for healthy brain development.

Breastmilk, infant formula, or homogenized (homo) milk (3.25% M.F.)
Fatty fish, full fat milk products (e.g., cheese)
Avocado, nut butters, cooking and salad oils

Learn more:

Fat in children's food: What you need to know | About Kids Health
- Concise guidance on the role of dietary fats in children’s growth and brain development, including healthy vs. unhealthy fats and age‑appropriate recommendations.

Drinks

Offer water, breastmilk, and homo milk or infant formula to drink
Limit juice and sugary drinks. Even too much milk can be a concern if it’s replacing food.
Baby should be fully weaned from bottles by 2 years old.

Learn more:

Learning to Drink from a Cup | Alberta Health Services
- Tips for helping babies learn to drink from an open cup—starting around 6–8 months to support oral and motor development.

Healthcare provider information

HPPH’s public health dietitian does not provide individual medical advice. Please refer clients to local hospital, family health team, and community health centre registered dietitians who provide counselling services. Individuals can also contact a registered dietitian for free through Health811 via phone or live chat.

Huron Perth Public Health provides education and support to healthcare providers and community partners on nutrition-related topics. 

Contact us for:

information on nutrition programs and services (local, provincial, federal and international)
fact sheets and local nutrition resources
support to develop and implement healthy policies and environmental supports
making connections with other community programs, services, and registered dietitians

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are a set of serious mental health conditions that can occur in individuals of all shapes and sizes. You can refer your patient (parents, caregivers and children) to one of the services available to support individuals struggling with eating disorders and unhealthy weight control practices:
- Eating Disorders Outreach Program | Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA)
- Huron Outreach Eating Disorders Program | Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH)
- National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC)

Food Insecurity

Financial constraints can be a barrier to nutrition changes for families. Families can be encouraged to seek out resources that will help with their financial situation or with food provision. Encourage families to call 2-1-1.

NutriSTEP

NutriSTEP is a 17-item questionnaire that parents can complete at home, or with your help. Healthcare provider can use the toddler (18-35 month) or preschooler (3-5 year) tool to help identify concerns with:

Food and nutrient intake
Physical growth, activity and sedentary behaviour
Developmental and physical capabilities related to eating