Nutritional Needs in the Second Year

by T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., author of Feeding: The Brazelton Way

1. 16 ounces of milk (necessary for calcium and protein)—either in two or three breast feedings or in two bottles of "follow-up" formula (formula with a different balance of nutrients adjusted for this age group). Follow-up formula should contain iron and vitamin D. Before a child is 1 year old, cow's milk is not recommended, as it contains little iron and may interfere with iron absorption. When a child is ready for cow's milk (check with your pediatrician), be sure it is whole milk and fortified with vitamin D. A cup of yogurt or an ounce or two of cheese can substitute for a serving of milk, as can chocolate milk or ice cream. The fat in whole milk dairy products contribute to brain development in the first years. If your child doesn't take milk or milk products for a while, ask his physician for a substitute for the calcium and vitamin D requirements.
2. Three to 4 ounces of protein. For example, a patty of cooked lean hamburger, an egg, beans, or tofu.
3. Half a slice of whole-grain bread and half a cup of whole-grain cereal, macaroni, or noodles should provide enough carbohydrates (along with the milk) as fuel for a child's active energy needs. By age 2, a child may need a little more. Whole grains will provide fiber to help prevent constipation.
4. Iron—meats such as hamburger also supply iron. Vegetables that contain iron (such as chick peas, lentils, baked beans, spinach, and kale, among others) can be substituted, although the iron in them is less readily absorbed. (Give foods rich in vitamin C, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, or citrus fruits, to enhance absorption.) But many children will balk at vegetables. If this is a difficult requirement, ask for iron drops from your child's doctor.
5. One or two pieces of fruit (before a baby turns one, citrus fruits are more likely to cause allergic skin rashes) or 3-4 ounces of fruit juice for vitamin C. Six ounces a day is the upper limit for children ages 1 to 6. Juice can cause cavities, and can fill a baby up before he's eaten the foods he really needs.
6. Try a variety of cooked vegetables or leafy greens, but don't push them. Don't assume your child will hate them, but don't be alarmed if he does. A relaxed attitude is the best away to prevent struggles and promote—gradually—a broad range of tastes. For now, though, a liquid multivitamin supplement with minerals given in drops can be used in the place of vegetables if your child won't eat them.

To prevent choking, watch out for fruit with pits or seeds, stringy vegetables like celery, and hard nuts and candies. Meat should be minced into small bits. With these main ingredients or their substitutes as a goal, most parents can relax and leave feedings to the child. Try to maintain the closeness that a milk feeding establishes at the end of each meal. Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, continue to hold him, to cuddle him, to rock and croon to him. It's an important balance to his struggle for independence.

Excerpted from:

Excerpted from Feeding: The Brazelton Way © 2004 by T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., and Joshua D. Sparrow, M.D. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Perseus.

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