Month 12 Worry: What Does My Baby Need to Eat Now?

What the Docs May Do

Your pediatrician will watch your child's growth and development carefully at each well visit. Growth, it turns out, is the gold standard for adequate caloric intake. Unfortunately, your child can grow adequately, but still be nutritionally deficient (see the above-mentioned parent serving macaroni and cheese five meals per day). Your vigilance as a parent in structuring a balanced, well-rounded diet is so important!

This is also why some pediatricians are not big fans of multivitamins. Not only are they scientifically shown to do very little in the toddler age group and they are one of the most common poisoning agents of toddlers in America, but they also give parents a false sense of security. "Oh, I don't have to worry about getting the green veggies into him today, he took his vitamin this morning."

There is no lab work which tells if your child is "nutritionally balanced," but lab work may be sent if your toddler is either significantly overweight or underweight, or if her growth curve is concerning.

Most pediatricians recommend a diet for toddlers that does not restrict fat or cholesterol. This is because extra fat and cholesterol are thought to be necessary for proper brain growth and development.

More 12th Month Health Help

Even the most confident parent has concerns about her child's health and wellness from time to time. Learn more about which medical issues are most common at each baby age, here. (If you have any pressing concerns or questions about your baby's health, please check with her healthcare provider.)

• What was last month's most popular health worry?
• Learn which medical question you might have next month.
• Here's what else is happening with your baby's health and development this month.