Toddler portion size?

decaturbride

Now that Owen is eating more table food, I'm not sure how much to expect him to eat. He was eating 2 jars of baby food per meal, but what does that translate to in "real" food? Also, I have to get better about coming up with things for him to eat. We've been slow on the table food, I was/am too scared of him choking. Thanks

slwprincess

Gavin's portions go up and down all the time, depending on mood, growth spurt, etc.  I am so grateful to our daycare b/c they taught him sign language for "more" and "all done" early on and he still uses them consistently.  So like this past weekend, he didn't feel good and didn't have much of an appetite so he was saying "all done" after just a few bites.  But then last night, he had a hotdog which is his favorite food.  He scarfed it down in about a minute and was immediately signing for "more".  So then I gave him some cheese and still he wanted "more".  So I gave him some oranges and then finally he was "all done."  They started signing with him as soon as he started solids and I think he was about 10-11 mos old before he started to do it consistently.  These are really his only signs, but they are so useful!  As for trying new things, I've always tried to feed Gavin whatever we are eating- just cut up into tiny pieces.  I'm still paranoid about choking and I still cut everything up for him...  better to be safe than sorry IMO!

auburnbride2be

I wonder about this too. Sometimes I think DD would continue eating as long as I gave her more. My daycare said at her age, they should eat about 1/3 of an adult serving. I'm sure it varies. I usually use those divided plates with three compartments and do the main thing/meat in the large one, fruit in one and veggie in the other and let her go to town. I figure since her weight is on track we are doing ok.

About choking, I am the same way. We didn't even start finger foods til 10-11 months except for puffs. She does great though and I still cut everything up fairly small. She likes to eat handfuls at a time and swallow things whole.