Toddler Nutrition and Feeding Practices

A set of flashcards summarizing key concepts and vocabulary related to toddler nutrition and feeding practices from the lecture notes.

How many exposures to a new food are typically needed before a toddler accepts it?

Toddlers may need about 8–12 non‑pressured exposures to a new food before acceptance.

What is the rule‑of‑thumb portion size per food group for a 2‑year‑old?

About 2 tablespoons of each food group per meal for a 2‑year‑old.

When is whole cow’s milk first introduced in the diet?

Whole cow’s milk is introduced at 12 months of age.

At what age is bottle weaning to a regular cup typically targeted?

Around 12 months, infants are typically weaned from the bottle to a regular cup with water.

What is the main parental responsibility in feeding related to 'what, when, where'?

Parents decide the what (foods offered), when (meal and snack timing), and where (meal environment).

What is the child’s primary responsibility in the division of responsibility for feeding?

The child decides how much to eat and whether to eat at that meal.

What screen‑time limit is recommended for children 2–5 years old?

Recommended total screen time is ≤ 1 hour per day for ages 2–5 years.

How much weight does a typical child gain between 2 and 5 years of age?

Average weight gain is about 4.5 pounds per year from 2 to 5 years.

What is a 'food jag' in toddlers?

A food jag is a period when a child repeatedly chooses the same food or preparation style over weeks to months.

How many feeds per day does a newborn typically require due to small stomach capacity?

Newborns often need about 8–12 feeds per day.

What is the typical weight pattern from birth to 6 months for an 8‑lb infant?

Birth weight usually doubles by 6 months (approximately 16 lb for an 8‑lb infant).

Why are toddler formulas usually not recommended for healthy 1–3‑year‑olds?

Toddler formulas are not nutritionally complete and are rarely needed in healthy children.

How can growth chart percentiles be recorded if the plotted point is between two curves?

You record a percentile range (e.g., between the 10th and 20th) rather than guessing a single number.

What does a rapid jump from the 25th to 75th percentile in a few months suggest?

A rapid upward percentile jump may signal increased risk for later overweight.

What is the basic teaspoon rule for preschool portion sizes?

Serve about 1 teaspoon of each food group per year of age (often converted to tablespoons for practicality).

What is the RDA for protein (g/kg/day) in preschool children 3–5 years?

Toddlers 1–3 years require about 1.1 g of protein per kilogram per day; preschool-age children need about 0.95 g per kilogram per day.

How much added sugar is allowed by the Dietary Guidelines as a percent of total calories?

Less than 10% of total daily calories should come from added sugars.

What is the typical daily protein requirement (g/kg) for toddlers 1–3 years?

The RDA for protein in toddlers is about 0.95 g per kilogram per day.

Why is bottle overuse a concern for toddlers?

Excess bottle use can provide approximately 40 oz of liquid, displacing solid foods and contributing to baby‑bottle tooth decay.

How are desserts ideally used relative to vegetables in toddler feeding?

Desserts should not be used as rewards for eating vegetables; both can fit neutrally into the diet.

What innate taste preference do infants and toddlers strongly show?

They have a strong innate liking for sweet tastes from early in life.

What is the recommended fiber intake for a typical 3‑year‑old?

Dietary fiber is recommended at about 19 g/day for a 3‑year‑old.

What is the blood lead reference value used for children?

The reference level is less than 3.5 micrograms per deciliter of blood lead.

Which Connecticut cities were noted as higher risk for childhood lead exposure?

New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Hartford were highlighted as higher‑risk cities.

What temperature range defines the 'danger zone' for foodborne bacterial growth?

The danger zone is 40–140 °F, where bacterial growth is rapid.

How many hours of sleep are recommended nightly for toddlers?

Toddlers are recommended to get about 11–13 hours of sleep per night.

What BMI‑for‑age percentile range defines 'healthy weight' in children 2–20 years?

A BMI‑for‑age between the 5th and 85th percentile is considered a healthy weight.

What BMI percentile lower threshold defines underweight in children?

Underweight is defined as below the 5th percentile for BMI‑for‑age.

What approximate percentage of preschool‑age children fall at or above the 95th BMI percentile?

About 14% of preschool‑age children are at or above the 95th percentile (obesity range).

How much fruit is recommended daily in updated USDA patterns for young children?

Around 1½ cups of fruits per day are recommended.

What is the daily dairy recommendation for younger vs. older small children in these guidelines?

Younger children: about 2 cups of dairy; older within this band: about 2½ cups.

By roughly how much can caloric needs increase in cystic fibrosis compared with standard needs?

Energy needs in cystic fibrosis can rise to about 2–4 times the standard requirement.

What daily sodium intake range may be recommended in children with cystic fibrosis?

Sodium intakes of about 3,000–4,000 mg/day may be recommended in CF.

How many physical activity hours are recommended for toddlers 1–3 years per day?

Toddlers should accumulate at least 3 hours of total movement daily, including ≥1 hour of moderate‑to‑vigorous activity.

How many exposures may be needed to introduce a new food in Autism Spectrum Disorder feeding?

Children with ASD may need about 15–20 non‑forced exposures to a new food.

What is a common GI‑related issue in children with ASD that may prompt probiotic use?

They often have dysbiosis, making probiotic or prebiotic supplementation potentially helpful.

What sleep‑related endocrine effect can low sleep cause in toddlers?

Insufficient sleep can increase stress hormones and insulin resistance.

How much daily vitamin D is often suggested as a supplement in toddlers and in CF?

About 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily is commonly suggested when intake/status is low.

What is a key reason toddlers are at higher risk for foodborne illness than adults?

They have lower stomach acidity and a less mature immune system, making pathogen survival easier.

By what multiplier are obese toddlers more likely to be obese as adults?

Obese toddlers are about 5 times more likely to be obese in adulthood.

When the exact percentile on a growth chart is unknown, how should you report it?

State a percentile range, such as 'between the 10th and 20th percentile,' instead of a single number.

Is the 50th percentile a target on growth charts?

No, any stable percentile within the 5th–95th range is acceptable; the 50th is not a target.

What can a rapid upward shift from the 25th to the 75th percentile suggest?

It may signal increased risk for overweight.

What can a rapid downward shift from the 75th to the 25th percentile suggest?

It may raise concern for undernutrition.

What is the clinical response to large percentile shifts on growth charts?

They should trigger counseling about feeding patterns and parental concerns, not an automatic diagnosis.

On a weight‑for‑age chart, what is on the x‑axis and what is on the y‑axis?

Months are on the x‑axis and weight percentile is on the y‑axis.

Where do you get the values to plot weight‑for‑age in this course?

You use the weight‑for‑age table in Husky CT to place the point at the reported month and percentile.

What is plotted on the x‑ and y‑axes for length‑for‑age?

Months are on the x‑axis and length percentile is on the y‑axis.

Which chart do you use to plot head‑circumference percentiles?

You use the head‑circumference‑for‑age table.

What is plotted on the x‑ and y‑axes for weight‑for‑length?

Length is on the x‑axis and weight percentile is on the y‑axis.

How should you respond to small weight fluctuations of about ± 1 lb in toddlers?

Reassure parents that these small fluctuations and brief plateaus are normal.

What non‑growth factors can affect weight checks in toddlers?

Seasonal differences and clothing layers can alter measured weight.

What insight is given regarding toddlers' food jags?

Food jags are periods when children repeatedly choose the same food style.

How are exposures to food defined in feeding strategies?

Any non‑forced interaction—seeing, touching, smelling, or tasting the food.