12–18 months · Toddler time
Feeding your 12–18 month old
- Meals
- 3 meals + 2 snacks
- Milk
- Breast milk can continue. Plain whole cow's milk from a cup, about 16 oz (480 ml) a day (AAP), or at least 350 ml (12 oz) of whole or semi-skimmed milk or 2 dairy servings (NHS)
- Water
- The main drink between meals, about 8–32 oz (240–950 ml) a day
At this age
Food is now the main source of nutrition, and most toddlers do well on a steady routine of 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. Appetite often drops after the first birthday because growth slows, so let your child decide how much to eat.
Breast milk can continue; formula, including follow-on and toddler milks, is no longer needed. Offer plain pasteurized cow's milk in a cup with meals or snacks: the AAP suggests whole milk, about 16 oz (480 ml) a day, because more than 24 oz (710 ml) a day has been linked to iron deficiency when it crowds out iron-rich foods. The NHS allows whole or semi-skimmed milk, or unsweetened calcium-fortified plant drinks such as soya or oat (never rice drinks under 5); the AAP names soy as the only plant drink equal to cow's milk. If your child has a milk allergy or intolerance, ask your doctor or health visitor before choosing a milk alternative (NHS). The AAP suggests finishing the move off bottles between 12 and 18 months, and the NHS says to discourage bottle feeding from age 1.
Family meals work if they're cooked without added salt and cut into small, soft pieces: children don't chew with a grinding motion until about age 4. If your child hasn't had a common allergen such as egg, fish, wheat or milk yet, offer it on its own first, at home, before it goes into a mixed dish like French toast or fish sticks. US guidelines say to prioritize fiber-rich whole grains, while the NHS says not to give only wholegrain foods before age 2, as they can fill your child up before they've had enough energy. By 18 months most drink from an open cup (with some spills), feed themselves with their fingers and try a spoon. Quarter grapes and cherry tomatoes lengthwise, serve raw carrot and apple only grated or cooked soft, skip whole nuts, popcorn and chunks of meat or cheese, and have your child sit down to eat with an adult watching.
Vitamins: the NHS recommends a daily supplement with vitamins A, C and D for all children from 6 months to 5 years, with 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day for ages 1 to 4. In the US, the AAP says children over 1 need 600 IU of vitamin D a day: ask your pediatrician whether your child needs drops. Give one supplement at a time, at the dose on the label. Honey is safe from 12 months as far as botulism goes, but it's an added sugar: US guidelines and the NHS both say to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, until age 4.
Foods to try
Cow's milk
From 12 months
Choking riskLow
Soy milk
From 12 months
Choking riskLow
Kefir
From 6 months
Choking riskLow
Greek yogurt
From 6 months
Choking riskLow
Bread
From 6 months
Choking riskMedium
Tortilla
From 6 months
Choking riskMedium
Crackers
From 12 months
Choking riskMedium
Rice cakes
From 12 months
Choking riskMedium
French toast
From 6 months
Choking riskMedium
Fish sticks
From 6 months
Choking riskLow
Orzo
From 6 months
Choking riskLow
Split peas
From 6 months
Choking riskLow
Toddler guides
- Calcium for toddlers: how much and the best sources
- Cooking with toddlers: safe ways to get them involved
- Eating out with a baby or toddler
- Fiber for toddlers: how much and how to add it
- First birthday cake: sugar, honey and safe decorations
- Food jags: when your toddler only wants one food
- Healthy toddler snacks
- Packing lunches for toddlers
- Picky eating in toddlers
- Screens at mealtimes
- Toddler meal schedule
- Toddler mealtime behavior: calm limits that work
- Toddler portion sizes
- Vegetarian and vegan toddlers: a balanced plate
Free printable: The First 100 Foods checklist
Tick off foods as your baby tries them. Print it or save it as a PDF, no sign-up needed.
Sources
- AAP: Feeding and nutrition tips: your 1-year-old
- AAP: Feeding and nutrition tips: your 2-year-old
- AAP: Recommended drinks for children age 5 and younger
- AAP: Why do infants need baby formula instead of cow's milk?
- AAP: From bottle to cup: helping your child make a healthy transition
- CDC: Milestones by 18 months
- CDC: Choking hazards
- NHS: What to feed young children
- NHS: Drinks and cups for babies and young children
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
- NHS: Vitamins for children
- HHS: Fact sheet on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030