Parenting Tips for Your 17-18 Month Old Toddler
“You have to eat everything on your plate.” Is this something you were told as a child? After all, no one wants to see food wasted. It’s really not a good idea to expect your child to eat the same amount every day.
Some days your child will be very hungry and will want more than you’ve put on his plate. Other days he will be less hungry and won’t want as much. Only your child knows how hungry he is, so let him decide how much to eat. Let him eat until he isn’t hungry anymore, and then let him stop.
Many parents worry that their toddler isn’t eating enough, but most toddlers eat enough for growth and health. They don’t need to be bribed or rewarded to eat more. Don’t punish your child for eating too little or for eating too much. If you do, your child will feel ashamed of his appetite and will begin to feel guilty about food.
If you find there is always food left on his plate, you may be giving him too much food and need to give less. If your child asks for more of a certain food and you don’t have any more of it, say you’re sorry there isn’t any more. Then offer more of the food that is still left. It takes a lot of patience to help children this age learn to eat well.
