Toddlers experience unpredictable shifts in appetite often driven by natural growth spurts, emotional development, and changing energy needs. Understanding the link between these fluctuations and offering consistent, pressure-free meals can support healthier eating habits and reduce mealtime stress.
If your toddler’s appetite feels like it’s changing from hour to hour—some days devouring dinner and others barely touching a bite—you’re not alone. These shifts can be surprising, even concerning, for parents. But the good news? They’re entirely normal.
Appetite fluctuations in toddlers are often linked to their growth. During growth spurts, your child’s body may crave more calories to fuel development. At other times, especially when growth slows down, appetite might naturally decrease or your child might become more selective about what they eat.
Most toddlers need between 1,000 and 1,400 calories per day, though individual needs vary depending on physical activity and growth. It’s more helpful to focus on patterns over time—not how much your child eats in a single day.
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If you're wondering how to tell if your child is eating enough, it's reassuring to know that kids are surprisingly good at listening to their own hunger cues. That’s the idea behind the Division of Responsibility in Feeding, a widely respected approach developed by feeding expert Ellyn Satter.
This model helps take pressure off mealtimes by outlining clear roles for everyone at the table:
This respectful balance encourages kids to stay in touch with their hunger and fullness, while promoting a healthy relationship with food.
Parent Tip: Letting go of how much they eat at each meal can reduce stress and improve meal dynamics.
One day it’s broccoli, the next it’s only bananas... for a week straight. Welcome to the world of food jags, when toddlers demand the same food again and again.
As repetitive (and frustrating) as this can be, it’s usually a short-lived phase. Food jags are normal early in childhood and often resolve on their own. If your child seems reluctant to eat anything but their current favorite, try offering that food alongside a few others—without pressure.
Quick Tip: Keep the mood light and mealtimes consistent—pressure often backfires with preschoolers.
This gentle exposure keeps other foods in play while honoring their current preference. Some helpful tips include:
For additional picky eating support, staying patient and consistent is key. You can also find nutrient-dense meal ideas that include their current favorites.
That sudden boost in appetite often comes with more than just second helpings. Growth spurts can also show up in your toddler’s moods, sleep, and even how their clothes fit overnight.
Common signs your child may be in a growth spurt include:
Sleep matters just as much as food when your child is growing quickly.
During sleep—particularly deep sleep—the body produces human growth hormone (HGH), a key player in physical growth. That’s why many toddlers sleep longer or need more naps during these spurts.
You might notice:
Quick Tip: Stick to calming bedtime routines and offer extra comfort during growth-related wakings.
Growing takes fuel, and the right fuel makes a difference.
During growth spurts, toddlers benefit from foods rich in protein, iron, calcium, and healthy fats. Typically, toddlers need 700 mg of calcium and 7 mg of iron each day.
Whole milk is often recommended after age one because its fat content supports brain health—but toddlers can be unpredictable eaters. If your child doesn’t want to eat, avoid pressure. Keep offering a diverse plate, and support their developmental readiness by honoring their appetite cues.
Here are ten nutrient-packed foods many toddlers find appealing:
Parent Tip: Keep portions small and low-pressure—curiosity blossoms from comfort.
Toddler eating habits often come in waves: one week they’re insatiable, the next they’re indifferent. This is a common part of their growth.
On hungry days, go ahead and offer extra portions of veggies or proteins. When appetite dips, trust your child’s ability to self-regulate.
According to the Division of Responsibility, let children decide whether and how much to eat, and focus on what, when, and where.
Even when your child’s appetite is unpredictable, having a steady routine can help. Stick to three meals and two snacks daily at consistent times.
Quick Tip: Aim for one tablespoon per food group per year of age—a toddler-friendly portion!
Include a safe, familiar food alongside new ones to avoid becoming a short-order cook.
Some toddlers need up to 15 exposures before they’re ready to try something new. That’s okay!
Try these gentle strategies:
Sometimes picky eating crosses into something more. Consider calling your pediatrician if you notice:
Growth charts help track progress. Occasional fluctuations are normal, but a consistent decline over several visits may signal a need for support.
If concerned, your provider can assess intake, growth, digestion, and overall wellbeing.
Parent Tip: You know your child best—trust your gut and ask when you need clarity.
Your toddler’s growth won’t be linear—and that’s normal. After infancy, growth slows and becomes more sporadic.
Most toddlers gain about 4 to 6 pounds and grow 2 to 3 inches per year. Spurts often occur around 18 months, 2 years, and 3 years.
Spurts often impact emotions and coordination too. Your toddler might seem clingier or unexpectedly clumsy.
Changes in eating, sleeping, and behavior are expected. So long as overall patterns stay steady, there’s little need to worry.
Every toddler grows at their own rhythm. Focus on:
You're not alone in this. Continue offering support—and explore our tips for creating a positive food relationship.
Written by: Jessica Facussé, Co-founder of Little Lunches, chef trained at the International Culinary Center, Harvard Business School graduate, and one of Bloomberg’s Top 100 Innovators in Latin America.
Sources:
HealthyChildren.org - "Picky Eaters"
Ellyn Satter Institute - "The Division of Responsibility in Feeding"
HealthyChildren.org - "Growth Spurts"
KidsHealth - "Growth Spurt"
Cleveland Clinic - "Toddler Picky Eater"
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