Don't be surprised if your toddler suddenly seems more interested in checking out the texture of her food than actually eating it. Around their first birthday, most children's appetites begin to decrease, says Sanna James, a registered dietitian and publisher of "Tiny Tummies," a newsletter about nutrition.
The primary reason for this apparent drop in food intake is a phase pediatricians call "catch-down growth." After 10 to 12 months of rapidly putting on inches and pounds, babies move into a slower pace of physical development. Since your child is no longer sprouting up and out so quickly, she doesn't require as many calories. Plus, once your toddler's walking, her newfound freedom to explore her environment means she'll often rather play than sit in her high chair. She's also discovering that squishing cheese or mashed potatoes between her fingers is more fun than eating it.Since this slackened appetite often coincides with the introduction of solid foods -- and with a natural slimming down as toddlers become more active and lose baby fat -- many parents worry their child isn't getting enough to eat. There's no cause for concern, says James. Just continue to offer healthy food choices and let your toddler decide how much to take in. -- By Mimi Towle