Baby Nutrition & Feeding Guide for a 1-Year-Old (With Sample Feeding Schedules)
During the first few months and years of life, a child’s needs and eating habits change quite a bit. Around your childs first birthday, their diet is in mid transition from a primarily milk-based nutrition diet to one that incorporates a variety of solid foods.
It can be a little tricky to figure out how to introduce solids at first. It can take some time to learn what foods your bub likes. Feeding schedules can be a helpful tool for parents of 1-year olds who want to ensure their baby transitions to a diet of solid foods as smoothly as possible.
Nutritional Needs for a 1-Year-Old
Babies’ nutritional needs change substantially throughout the first year of life. For the first several months, the healthy fats in formula and/or breastmilk help ensure healthy brain development.
As they approach the 1-year mark, babies usually require more protein and carbohydrates to sustain their rapidly growing bodies and increased physical activity as they learn to crawl and walk.
There are also some key vitamins and minerals that 1-year-olds need, including:
How Much Milk Does a 1-Year-Old Need?
Breastfeeding and/or formula feeding can still play a role in the life of a 1-year-old. In fact, some babies at this age start breastfeeding more frequently as a way to seek additional comfort from their mom. At 12 months, most babies still breastfeed or bottle feed between 3 and 4 times per day.
At one year old, you may introduce your baby to toddler milk or cow’s milk in a sippy cup, and slowly add dairy solids like cheese and yogurt to their diet. For most babies, 3-4 servings of milk or dairy solids is ideal. Cheese sauces and butter can also be used in moderation to boost milk intake. At this age, you can also begin to transition your baby from their bottle to a straw or sippy cup.
Looking for nutritious goat’s and cow’s milk formulas for your 1-year-old? Aussie Bub’s has you covered!
Goat Milk Toddler Formula & Grass Fed Toddler Formula
Sample Meal Plans for 1-Year-Olds
A 1-year-old’s diet and eating schedule can vary depending on their routine and appetite. However, as a general rule, babies at this age eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks each day, which includes approximately 16-24 ounces of breastmilk or formula if they’re still nursing.
Meal plans typically include:
Sample Schedule 1 – Balanced Approach
For non-picky eaters, here’s an example of a healthy and balanced meal plan:
Breakfast
- Scrambled eggs with cheese and a small portion of crushed avocado
- Thinly sliced bananas or strawberries
- ½ cup of whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
- Yogurt topped with thin slices of ripe apple or pear, crushed if needed
- Water in a sippy cup
Lunch
- Half of a shredded-turkey, egg-salad, or peanut-butter sandwich
- Cooked broccoli florets, carrots, or other vegetable
- ½ cup of whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
- String cheese or cheese cubes
- Fruit or berries
- Water in a sippy cup
Dinner
- Ground beef, shredded chicken, or crumbled tofu with soft sweet potatoes
- Steamed and crushed green beans or broccoli florets
- A handful of blueberries
- ½ cup of whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
- A few small crackers with yogurt or shredded cheese
- Water, whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
Sample Schedule 2 – For Picky Eaters
For picky eaters, it’s important to focus on nutrient-dense foods, smaller portions, and making mealtimes fun and engaging. Here’s an example of a meal plan for a picky 1-year-old:
Breakfast
- Scrambled eggs or oatmeal with crushed banana OR whole-grain toast with peanut butter
- Small pieces of fruit like blueberries, apple, or pear slices
- ½ cup of whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
- Cheese cubes OR yogurt and fruit OR toddler rice cakes with thin slices of cucumber
- Water in a sippy cup
Lunch
- Elbow pasta with mild marinara or cheese sauce with shredded chicken, soft fish, or crumbled tofu
- Peas, carrots, or broccoli florets
- ½ cup of whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
- Whole-grain crackers or small pieces of bagel with cream cheese OR sliced avocados or hummus on soft pieces of bread
- Apple or pear slices
- Water in a sippy cup
Dinner
- Crushed sweet potatoes and small meatballs OR rice topped with butter and flakey salmon or tofu
- Steamed and crushed green beans, broccoli florets, or zucchini
- ½ cup of whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
Bedtime Snack (optional)
- Unsweetened apple sauce OR oatmeal
- Water, whole milk, breastmilk, or formula
Tips for Establishing a Meal Routine for 1-Year-Olds
Creating and maintaining a consistent meal schedule for your toddler can help improve digestive and metabolic health, increase emotional regulation, and lead to better sleep quality.
Here are a few tips to help you successfully establish your bub’s meal routine:
- Try meal prepping when possible to make mealtimes more convenient
- Make mealtimes a sit-down affair
- Avoid distractions such as toys or TV when eating
- Try to include a variety of foods in smaller portions to give your 1-year-old more choice
- Be supportive and use positive language during meals
Many parents struggle specifically with transitioning their baby from bottles to cups. Fortunately, there are some ways to make this transition easier.
Start by using a sippy cup, then moving to a regular straw before finally switching to regular open cups. You can also begin by just replacing one bottle a day with a cup, preferably during a meal to get your 1-year-old used to the change.
Addressing Common Feeding Challenges for 1-Year-Olds
Picky Eaters
Most children go through a picky-eating phase at some point, and the transition from milk to solids can be a difficult one. If you’re trying to introduce more variety into your picky eater’s diet, try to pair new foods with their usual favorites. Prioritizing finger foods can also help make mealtimes easier and more fun – and help your baby develop their motor skills.
Another great way to make new foods more appealing is to try making food art. You can do this by arranging food in a fun picture on their plate, such as a smiley face or heart. You can also make fruit and vegetables more appetizing to your toddler by using cookie cutters to shape them.
Refusal of Milk or Solids
Since breastmilk and cow’s milk taste slightly different, it may be difficult to persuade a breastfeeding baby to drink from a cup.
You may be able to help them adjust by first offering expressed breastmilk in a sippy cup until they become used to the change. Then, try offering them toddler milk from the same cup. Some babies only learn to transition to cow’s milk from a cup once breastfeeding has been removed as an option.
Introducing solids to your bub can be even tricker. Take things slow and make sure you crush or crumble your baby’s food at first, so they’re not overwhelmed by having to take bites. Always make sure you cook food thoroughly and keep your baby upright to avoid any potential choking hazards.
Balancing Breastmilk or Formula with Solids
The process of transitioning your bub from breastmilk or formula to solid foods can be a challenge, but it’s also fun to see what foods your baby likes and dislikes. Here are a few tips to make the process smoother:
- Begin with one-ingredient foods, and try pureeing them if your baby rejects them
- Don’t be afraid to get a little messy at mealtimes
- Offer water and milk throughout the day
- If your baby doesn’t seem sure about a new food, try crushing it or cutting it into smaller pieces
- Start slowly and be patient
Final Thoughts
Transitioning your bub from an infant diet consisting primarily of breastmilk and/or formula to a toddler diet can be a little intimidating.Fortunately, you don’t have to make the change all at once. Including a high-quality toddler formula like Aussie Bubs Goat Milk Toddler Formula in your little one’s diet can help make the switch easier and ensure they’re getting all the essential nutrients they need.