The table below (Table 11.3) sets out the appropriate types of foods for children from 12 months to two years. As you can see, the mother should continue breastfeeding if the child wants this, but additional foods should continue to be added to the child's diet.

Table 11.3 Recommendations for feeding children aged 12 months up to two years.

12 months up to two years
  • Breastfeed as often as the child wants.
  • Give adequate servings of enriched family foods: porridge made of cereal and legume mixes, shiro, kik, merek fit-fit, mashed potatoes and carrot, gommen, undiluted milk, eggs and fruits.
  • Add some extra butter or oil to the child's food. Also give animal foods (meat, liver, fish, eggs), legumes, vegetables (green leafy, carrots) and yellow fruits (orange, papaya, mangos).
  • Give these foods at least five times per day (three meals and two snacks/mekses).
  • Children who stopped breastfeeding at an early age should also get adequate milk replacement besides complementary feeding.
  • The child should have his own servings and the mother should actively feed the child.
  • Give freshly prepared food and use clean utensils.
  • Increase intake of food and fluids during illness, and give one additional meal of solid food for about two weeks after illness to help the child recover quickly.
  • Give vitamin A supplements and Mebendazole every six months.

During this period the mother should continue to breastfeed as often as the child wants and also give nutritious complementary foods. The variety and quantity of food should be increased. Family foods should become an important part of the child's diet. They should be appropriately prepared, so that they are easy for the child to eat.

Give nutritious complementary foods or family foods five times a day.

Adequate servings and active feeding (encouraging the child to eat) continue to be important.
Last modified: Sunday, 18 May 2014, 1:19 AM