What should a 14-month-old baby be eating?
By 14 months old, your toddler can eat the same food as the rest of the family (with a few exceptions) BUT the food should be chopped or mashed into bite-size pieces that they can handle.
After 1 year of age, you can start to give your toddler whole milk to drink (you should not use low fat or fat free till after 2 years old). You can also get more creative with the rest of their diet at this point such as introducing new fruits and vegetables. They can be very picky at this age!
You should continue to avoid foods that can be choking hazards such as hot dogs, raw vegetables (should be cooked or shredded), and string cheese (cut cheese into very small bite size pieces). Cut whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, and melon balls into quarters before serving to your toddler. Hard candies such as gumdrops, cough drops, nuts, popcorn, lollipops, raisins, and other small dried fruit, seeds, and chewing gum can all be potential choking hazards. Also avoid certain soft foods that might get lodged in your child's throat, like marshmallows, peanut butter (don't give large chunks, instead spread it thinly on bread or crackers) and jelly candies.
It is also important to be aware of highly allergenic foods. Most kids can handle common allergens by the time they are one but if you are concerned about food allergies such as tree nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, or shellfish experts suggest delaying these foods till your child is at least 3.
If you have specific questions on what your child should be eating or about specific food allergies speak with your child's pediatrician.
Thank you for your question.
-- Kimberly A. Tessmer, R.D., L.D.