At the age of one year, baby begins to eat real meals which makes him happy. If the food diversification is complete, he must still continue to drink milk to grow well. What foods to offer and in what quantities? Answers from Christine Zalejski, expert in infant nutrition between 0 and 6 years old.
Your child has just celebrated his first birthday and he now eats “almost” like a grown-up! Increasingly autonomous, he likes to use the teaspoon alone during meals and its small teeth allow it to chew and crunch pieces. If your diet is healthy and balanced, you can offer him the same dishes as you, adapting the quantities and textures. How to organize meals and what foods to put on the menu? Answers and advice from Christine Zalejski (Dr, PhD), expert in infant nutrition between 0 and 6 years old and author of the mixed diversification guide with Céline De Sousa (Ed. Larousse).
How much milk at 12 months?
“It all depends on the amount of dairy products consumed.“, specifies Christine Zalejski. On average, baby drinks between 250 and 400ml of milk per day at this age, but also 2 servings of dairy products. From 12 months, babies can alternately take growing-up milk or mammalian milk if they are not breastfed.
How much milk for a 12 month old breastfed baby?
There are no rules in this matter, because it is the baby who is the only one to decide according to his needs.
Feeding schedule from baby to 12 months
“The times are those given at the crèche or at home: baby eats breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner“, explains Christine Zalejski.
“A 12-month-old baby eats breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.”
Baby at 12 months, what to give him for snack?
At 12 months, baby can eat a fruit, a dairy product and cereals, according to Christine Zalejski.
What meal to give in the evening to a one-year-old baby, what quantities?
“you can give 200 ml soup or vegetable puree combined with starchy foods with a little fat“advises Christine Zalejski.
12 month old baby food chart
| Breastmilk | On demand |
| Infant milk | Between 250 and 400 ml in addition to dairy products |
| Vegetables | 300 grams of vegetables per day |
| Fruits | 2 servings per day |
| Proteins | 20 grams of fish or meat or 1/2 egg |
| Starches | 150 grams per day |
| Dairy products | A dairy product and about 12 grams of cheese |
Can we sweeten baby food at the age of 12 months?
This is a subject that raises a lot of questions for parents. “You do not need to sweeten your child’s food. The later the better, especially since baby already benefits from the natural sugar found in fruits, dairy products, cereals and other foods.“, notes Christine Zalejski.
Discover the standard menu for a 12-month-old baby.
Morning
- A feeding or 240 ml of 2nd age milk
- + cereal (optional)
Noon
- A small starter of raw vegetables (optional)
- 200 grams of vegetable purée with starches + 20 grams of meat or fish + 1 teaspoon of oil
- A portion of dairy or cheese
- A serving of fruit
To taste
- A feeding or 1 portion of dairy or cheese
- A serving of fruit
- A portion of cereal (optional)
Evening
- 180-200 ml vegetable purée with starches
- 150 ml of growing-up or mammalian milk or a feeding
Thanks to Christine Zalejski (Dr, PhD), expert in infant nutrition 0-6 years old, author of the mixed diversification guide with Céline De Sousa (Ed. Larousse) and founder of the website www.cubesetpetitspois.fr