Over the last 6 months you've been introducing solids into your little one's diet. And you've already started to see that this little person has real likes - and dislikes. You've been amazed by his developing motor skills - now that he's grasping spoons, taking big bites, and exploring new tastes and textures. But as you transition away from breastmilk or Infant Formula, and more and more to a solid food diet, you need to make sure that your toddler's tummy is getting what it needs.

Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) & ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) are healthy fats that offer many health benefits. But specifically for your growing child, DHA is critical for healthy brain, eye and nerve development. Toddlers aged 1-3 years old should be receiving about 0.7 grams/day of omega-3 fatty acids.

Now that he's really moving, he needs nutrition that can keep up with each step. Nutrients like iron and calcium are now more important then ever. Why? Well, iron is key for your baby's rapidly growing brain and crucial to his continued mental development.2 Iron is a factor in red blood cell formation and is essential for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, a condition that can lead to developmental delays. Calcium is crucial to help build strong, healthy bones and teeth. Making sure your baby gets the right nutrition at the right stage is key. But how can you help make sure he is getting everything he needs? Adding iron When looking to add iron to your little one's diet, consider: Red meats, or organ meats like liver Leafy green vegetables, like spinach or broccoli Iron-fortified cereals Prune Juice

Toddlers aged 1-3 years old should be receiving 7 mg/day. You can increase how much iron your toddler's tummy absorbs by serving iron-rich foods with those containing vitamin C, such as orange juice.

Did you know?

Most kids really like the taste of red meat. To avoid a choking hazard, try serving meats by making 'fingers' of soft meatloaf that your toddler can easily break up.

Getting enough calcium

It's easy to work calcium into your little one's diet — just by making cereals and puddings with milk instead of water — you can really increase his daily calcium intake. Or try serving some of these foods to meet his daily needs:

• Small cubes of cheese
  
  
• Whole or Soy Milk
  
  
• Pudding (made with milk)
  
  
• Yogourt
  
  
• Calcium-fortified orange juice

Your toddler's daily calcium need is 500 mg.

Foods to avoid

You may feel that because your toddler has a wide range of solid foods to eat, and new nutritional requirements, that all foods are fair game. But there are still a few foods that you and your growing wonder should avoid. Between the ages of 12-36 months, steer clear of these foods:

Low-fat milk: Your toddler is really moving now - so he needs the higher fat and caloric content of whole milk for proper growth and development. If you plan on switching milk, hold off on swapping in low-fat varieties until he's at least 2 years old.

High allergy foods: Most kids can handle common allergens by their first birthday. But if you're concerned about allergies (perhaps you have a family history), speak with your doctor first about foods such as egg whites, peanuts and peanut butter, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

1. Adapted from Today's Parent accessed at: http://www.todaysparent.com/baby/foodnutrition/article.jsp?content=20070808_124343_5068&page=1

2. Moffat MEK et al. Prevention of iron deficiency and psychomotor decline in high-risk infants through use of iron-fortified infant formula: a randomized clinical trial. J Pediatr 1994;125:527-34.