Nutrition for Children Aged 0 to 2
Nutritional Needs of Children Aged 0 to 2
What it is
A diet tailored to a child’s needs supports healthy growth and development. Nutritional needs change with age and development.
What you can do at home
From birth to 1 year
- Feed the child when they show signs of hunger, before they begin to cry.
- Before 6 months of age, offer only breast milk or infant formula.
- Continue offering breast milk or infant formula until 1 year of age.
- At around 6 months, begin introducing iron-rich foods while continuing to offer milk.
- During growth spurts, offer milk more often for a few days.
From 1 to 2 years
- Offer a varied diet with 3 meals and 1 or 2 snacks each day.
- Offer iron-rich foods at least twice a day.
- Serve small portions.
- Let the child eat at their own pace.
- Encourage the child to eat independently using their fingers or utensils.
At any age
- Eat meals in a calm environment without television.
- Respect the child’s appetite.
- Do not force the child to finish a bottle or everything on their plate.
Avoid
- Never give honey to a child under 1 year of age.
When to seek medical attention
After the fourth day of life:
black, sticky stools (meconium)
Difficulty meeting the child’s nutritional needs
Difficulty following Canada’s Food Guide recommendations for the child:
See the Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide advice sheet
Inadequate weight gain or unexplained weight loss
Growth or development that does not appear to be progressing as expected
Signs of possible iron deficiency (anemia), such as
- reduced appetite
- paler skin
- Irritability
- more frequent crying
- Reactions to milk, such as
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- red patches
- significant discomfort
Need help?
Call Info-Santé at 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse at any time.
Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications or treatment.
Make an appointment at your medical clinic or CLSC.
If you do not have a family doctor, go to gap.soinsvirtuels or call 811, Option 3.
When to go to the hospital right away
Rapid changes in the child’s condition, such as
- unusual fatigue (drowsiness)
- difficulty staying awake
- reduced responsiveness, confusion, agitation or unusual behaviour
- severe weakness
- low energy, or very little movement
- In children: difficulty waking up, limpness, or difficulty holding up the head
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (redness, itchy skin, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face), along with at least one of the following:
- drinking very little
- refusing to drink
- a very dry mouth
- crying without tears
- little or no urine (a dry diaper or very dark urine)
- severe fatigue or dizziness
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (redness, itchy skin, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face), along with at least one of the following:
- high-pitched breathing sounds (stridor) or difficulty breathing
- bluish or purplish lips or fingers
- feeling weak or dizzy, or loss of consciousness
- very fast heartbeat
- stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
See also
See the details of Changing the Type of Milk (Infant Formula)