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How to feed your toddler right
Sun, Dec 23, 2007
The Straits Times

Weight Guide

Boys

6 months - 8kg (median weight)
1 year - 9kg
2 years - 12kg
3 years - 14kg
4 years - 16kg
5 years - 18kg
6 years - 20kg

Girls
6 months - 7kg (median weight)
1 year - 9kg
2 years - 11kg
3 years - 13kg
4 years - 15kg
5 years - 17kg
6 years - 20kg

 

Diet Guide

Breastfeed: This teaches babies to control the amount of milk they drink. Also, breast-fed babies tend to be leaner than bottle-fed ones.

Calorie-fortified milk should be given only to underweight babies or those not eating enough. If given to normal babies, the extra calories will become fat.

Do not feed babies every time they cry. Most crying babies want to be held or may just be thirsty and need water. Inculcate good eating habits young. Limit intake of sugary food and encourage them to eat their greens.

Do not force-feed your child if he refuses to eat. Force-feeding may just make him a fussier eater. Let him play with his food and make meal times enjoyable.

The milk bottle should make an appearance only during feeding time. Children who are allowed to carry a bottle around with them learn to eat frequently and use food for comfort.

Avoid giving solid food to your child until he is four to six months old.

Do not give the child food as a way to distract him or keep him occupied.

Not all children grow at the same pace. If the neighbour's child can eat chicken rice at 18 months but yours cannot, do not fret. Slowly introduce solid food into the diet.

If you think your baby is too fat, do not put him on a diet without first consulting a paediatrician.

Source: Paediatricians and nutritionists

 

 
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