Eighteen- to Twenty three-Month-Olds

To prevent feeding problems, teach your child to feed herself as early as possible, provide her with healthy choices and allow experimentation.

Mealtimes should be enjoyable and pleasant and not a source of struggle. Common mistakes are allowing your child to drink too much milk or juice so that she isn't hungry for solids, forcing your child to eat when she isn't hungry, or forcing her to eat foods that she doesn't want.

Your child may now start to refuse to eat some foods, become a very picky eater or even go on binges where she will only want to eat a certain food. An important way that children learn to be independent is through establishing independence about feeding. Even though your child may not be eating as well-rounded a diet as you would like, as long as she is growing normally and has a normal energy level, there is probably little to worry about.

While you should provide three well-balanced meals each day, it is important to keep in mind that many toddlers will only eat one or two full meals each day. If you child has had a good breakfast and lunch, then it is usually OK that she doesn't want to eat much at dinner.

What You Need To Know About Your Eighteen-Month-Old Toddler

• Children at this age are very self-centered and may play alongside each other, but it will be some time before they actually start playing together and want to share their toys.
• Potty training usually isn't easy, but some parents make it a little more difficult than it needs to be by making some all too common potty training mistakes.
• At the eighteen-month checkup, you can expect a complete physical exam, a review of feeding and sleep schedules, measurement of your child's height, weight and head circumference, and immunizations, which might include the DTaP vaccine. If not already given, your child might also get her third HepB, third IPV, Varivax, and/or Hepatitis A shot.

• Common Toddler Problems

  • Constipation
  • Eczema
  • Breath Holding
  • Picky Eaters
  • Temper Tantrums

Eighteen-Month-Old Toddler Topics

• Your Eighteen-Month-Old
• Childproofing
• Potty Training Readiness Quiz
• Toddler Milk and Calcium Requirements
• Toddler Low Fat Diets
• Iron Rich Foods
• Safety
• Toddlers, Naps and Sleep
• Hidden Dangers
• Terrible Twos
• Moving to a Toddler Bed
• Gross Toddler Behaviors
• Overweight Toddlers and Obesity
• Parenting: Babies & Toddlers
• Twin / Multiple Toddlers