What Is A Child Size Serving?

Like adults, children come in different shapes and sizes. One serving does not fit or satisfy all. In addition, the requirements for kids differ based on their age and developmental stages, making mealtime potentially confusing, especially for new parents. While no two children eat alike, there are a few guidelines you can follow for each basic feeding stage.

Older Babies

Around the 9-month mark, babies begin eating table foods as the mainstay of their diet. Fortunately, unlike adults, most babies will stop eating when they are full. However, a general guideline from Dr. Ari Brown, coauthor of "Baby 411," is around 10 to 18 ounces of solid foods daily, distributed between breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, she recommends older babies continue to get breast milk or formula until the age of 1, around 20 to 30 ounces daily. Liquids are simple to measure in ounces, but solids can be a bit more challenging. Remember those baby food jars? Think of a serving as whatever can fit into a jar of food labeled "Stage 3." Another guideline offered by Medline Plus is about 3 or 4 tablespoons of each item, and around 3 items per meal.

Toddlers

As babies grow into toddlers, their appetites tend to decrease. Toddlers are also notorious for being picky eaters. Medline Plus reports that while toddlers slow down growth-wise, they also become more active. They suggest toddlers have 3 meals a day in addition to between-meal snacks. The average toddler needs around 1,000 to 1,400 calories per day, depending on activity level, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, or NHLBI. Keep in mind, however, that the eating habits of toddlers are not necessarily consistent. Your child may eat a large breakfast and then pick at her snack and her lunch. Don't pressure her to eat. Instead offer healthy choices on her plate and make mealtimes fun.

Younger Children

Between the ages of 4 and 8, the NHLBI estimates that children need between 1,200 and 1,800 calories per day, based on their overall activity level. This is around two-thirds the amount that the average adult needs. If you consider your own portion and provide around two-thirds of that for your child, you will be close to the recommended serving size. The more active your child, the higher his caloric needs. If you find your child is hungry all the time, provide more at each serving. If your child is unexpectedly gaining weight, it might be time to cut back. Balanced meals continue to be important at this time. Medline Plus recommends most nutrients should come from a balanced diet, not a multivitamin.

Adolescents

Adolescents are creeping into adulthood in their size, their mannerisms and their meals. Between 9 and 13 years, kids need around 1,600 to 2,000 calories per day; and from 14 and on, this number jumps to 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day, advises NHLBI. Servings are around the same size as those for adults. However, tweens and adolescents may need to focus on making healthier choices as opposed to the amount of food on their plates. A few slices of pizza have more fat and calories than a piece of chicken and a few vegetable sides. It is also still important to eat a variety of foods, as children are at a greater risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies from their diet.