Your baby will turn 14 months old in a few days, and you suddenly notice that they begin to show disinterest in foods they loved earlier, leaving you wondering about some food ideas for 14 months baby that could help give the required nourishment to your little one. Until the one-year mark, your baby’s nutritional needs are fulfilled by the mother’s milk or formula. Nonetheless, as they cross this mark and enter toddlerhood, their dietary needs increase substantially. With most toddlers turning fussy eaters by the 14th month, it becomes hard for parents to comprehend and select the foods to be given to their children to fulfill their growing nutritional demands. Plunge into this post as we present you with some easy yet super healthy food ideas to feed your selective 14-month-old. However, ensure to feed with a safe baby fork that is convenient and reduces the risk of scratching from the usual fork.
Read on to find out about 14 month old baby food:
1. Grains
Grains must make up a significant portion of a 14-month-old child. You can choose whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread for your baby. Or serve your child a serving of vegetable pasta. You can also sneak in some wholesome food while preparing the dish. Try to incorporate at least one serving (one serving for a baby is one-quarter of an adult’s serving) of grain into your baby’s diet. A strong addition to the 14 month old baby food plan.
2. Fruits
Tasty and sumptuous fruits will make great add- ons to any meal. They are a source of several nutrients that your toddler will need for the day. You must try to include one serving of fruit at each meal. One serving of fruit for a toddler is equal to 1/4th cup of fruit. Cut a ripe fruit into small pieces and serve to your baby.
3. Vegetables
Colorful vegetables will make a healthy addition to your toddler’s diet. Do not serve raw veggies to your baby. Steam the vegetables until tender and cut them into small pieces to prevent choking. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), over half of the choking episodes in children occur due to food. So ensure to prepare veggies in age-appropriate forms. Season them with minimal salt and pepper and serve. Include at least one vitamin-C-rich veggie in your baby’s diet. Veggie sticks can also help soothe teething babies.
4. Juice
Juices are an interesting addition to your toddler’s healthy diet regimen. If you are thinking of serving juice to your baby, then choose 100% juice to avoid preservatives and added sugar. Limit the serving to not more than 6 ounces a day.
5. Milk
Milk should make up most of your 14th-month-old and is the most commonly used dairy product for kids. A ½ cup of milk equals to one serving. Choose full-fat milk for your toddler. Limit the milk intake to not more than 16 ounces a day. The food for 14 month old is delicious with milk !
6. Egg
Eggs, with its high protein, iron, choline, vitamin B12 and folate, will make perfect food for toddlers. Scramble the eggs with veggies for a quick meal. Or mash the boiled egg with a fork and sprinkle some grated cheese over it.
7. Beans
Beans are an excellent substitute for meats at meals. You can serve beans with vitamin c rich fruits and vegetables to increase the absorption of iron in your little one’s body. Make sure you chop or mash the beans into bite-sized pieces. Always serve well cooked beans.
8. Cheese
Cheese is one food that kids of all ages love. Add grated cheese to vegetables, eggs or beans to round a meal. Apart from being an excellent source of protein, cheese also contains calcium and protein, nutrients that are critical for a growing child.
9. Lean Meat
Choose lean sources of meat like poultry or fish for your 14-month-old. A serving of meat for a 14-month-old should consist of 1 ounce of meat. Do not serve him more than the recommended amount as protein sources should make the smallest portion of your child’s daily diet.The 14 months baby food is extremely delicious with lean meat!
10. Breastmilk
If your baby continues to breastfeed, then it is good news for you. Breast milk will provide him with all the calories, enzymes, vitamins and valuable immunities. Even studies have also shown that breastfed toddlers get sick less often. Nursing will also create a strong bond between you and your baby.
Do not be discouraged if your 14-month-old rejects specific foods. Remember that a toddler’s palate is not the same as an adult’s. Therefore, they may not be interested in certain flavors and food textures. To understand their food preferences and what kinds of food are best for them, you may try the 14-month-old baby food ideas recommended in this article. Further, always introduce a new food in smaller proportions and do not force them to finish what’s on the plate. Allow your toddler to choose their preferred foods, and focus on serving variety, not just increasing their portion sizes.
Key Pointers
- 14-month-old babies have increased nutritional needs beyond formula or breastmilk.
- Good foods for a 14-month-old’s diet include grains, fruits, vegetables, juice, milk, eggs, beans, cheese, lean meat, and breast milk.
- Encourage children to eat more vegetables by serving creative vegetable dishes.
- Toddlers should have limited serving sizes of 100% juice and full-fat milk.
