It may seem like yesterday that your baby was only drinking formula or exclusively breastfeeding. Changes in dietary needs are just one part of her ever expanding world as she moves from being an infant to a toddler. As your baby develops and grows, her nutritional requirements increase from simply requiring breast milk or formula to needing a balanced diet appropriate for her age.
Caloric and Nutrient Requirements
An 11-month-old does not require a large number of calories. Until she is 2-years-old, she needs about 900 high-quality calories each day. Her calories should come from about 1/3 cup of full-fat dairy, up to 1/2 cups of fortified cereal or grains, between 1/4 to 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables, 2 to 3 oz. of protein-rich foods and 1/4 cup of combination foods such as yogurt or cereal with fruit, or casseroles with meat, rice or formula.
Dairy Foods
Your baby should get her milk from either prepared formula or breast milk, as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child under 12 months old should not have cow's milk. Give her dairy foods such as organic yogurt sweetened with 100 percent juice or tiny pieces of banana or peaches. She can have small cubes of cheddar, Colby Jack, cottage or mozzarella cheese as part of her dairy requirement. Avoid reduced-fat or low-fat foods, as she needs the fat in foods for healthy development.
Vegetables and Fruits
At this age, your baby may enjoy exploring her food with her fingers and hands, and may be eager to try new fruits and vegetables. Your 11-month-old can eat whatever fruits and vegetables you eat, as long as you keep the size and texture appropriate for her abilities. Finely chopped, cooked vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, peas, asparagus and sweet potatoes, provide her with vitamins and minerals. She will likely enjoy unsweetened applesauce, diced bananas, finely diced grapes or very ripe peeled pears or peaches.
Protein Foods
She can easily meet her 2 to 3 oz. protein requirement by eating a cooked egg yolk with some cheese, mashed black or pinto beans, well-cooked, shredded and chopped chicken or well-done ground turkey or beef. Season her meats with herbs rather than salt so she does not become accustomed to highly salted foods. Do not give your baby nuts or seeds until she over the age of 3.
Cereals and Grains
Your child can eat whole-wheat rolls that you tear into small pieces, toast that you cut into strips or small pieces of cereal that quickly dissolves in her mouth. Choose whole grain, iron-fortified cereals, such as those made with barley, wheat or bran, over cereals that have white flour, excessive amounts of food coloring or artificial sweeteners. She may enjoy trying to spoon her own oatmeal into her mouth with your assistance, as well as picking up small pieces of brown rice you put on her tray. Whole-grain or enriched macaroni or spaghetti will also help her meet her grain requirement.
References
- University of Cincinnati; Dietary and Exercise Recommendations for Children and Adolescents for Healthy Living; Jennifer Shine; April 2010
- Baby Center: Age-by-Age Guide to Feeding Your Baby
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Low Fat Diets for Babies
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
