Having a Toddler-Sized Christmas time

Simply having a Toddler-Sized Christmas time

Earlier this year I took part in the Toddler-Sized challenge, which encouraged parents everywhere to turn the evidence based guidance on feeding toddlers, developed by the Infant & Toddler Forum, into something easy and practical, to take the guess work out of feeding toddlers well every day. Thank you for your support then, and now you can meet the winners here. Want to know more about makes a healthy toddler diet, whether it’s every day, or a festive day?  You can try out the Infant & Toddler Forum’s festive menu to give little ones a healthy balance, while still enjoying some treats.  There are also festive tips for active toddlers to give them lots of active play ideas too.

I love the idea of the Activity Advent Calendar Challenge and I know Ava would too. Get organised and agree an activity for each day leading up to Christmas. It might be a trip to the playground for 30 minutes of outdoor play, a dancing competition or a game of hide and seek indoors.

There are lots of toddler menu and healthy hints and tips for a happy festive season here if you want to check them out.

Christmas is a time for families to be together, to relax and to celebrate the season. It can also be a time of extra pressure as families get swept up in the holiday madness of parties, shopping and cooking! In such a busy period, everyday routines may go out of the window, and it can be hard to keep track, and make sure your toddler is eating the right foods in the right amounts and in the right balance. Some toddlers may become extra sensitive as routine changes influence moods. Nap-times are essential for toddlers but at Christmas these may be later or cut short, not to mention meals and snacks may be rushed and regular activity may get forgotten.

To help make the most of this busy period, the Infant & Toddler Forum have developed resources to help maintain a happy, active and healthy holiday season for all. Our festive tips for active toddlers have plenty of ideas to keep the little ones busy, and our festive menu is full of suggestions to give little ones a healthy balance at Christmas dinner, while still enjoying all the seasonal fun.

Facts and stats on parent toddler diet confidence

A recent parent survey (parents of children 1 – 5yrs) by the Infant & Toddler Forum found that:

• Only 14% of parents follow the recommended serving frequency for each of the food groups when feeding their toddlers

• Over a third (35%) are worried they do not give their children the right balance of foods and more than a quarter (26%) feel their child is not getting enough variety

• Whilst 80% of parents correctly identified the key food groups that when combined form a balanced diet, only a third (28%) take the advice given to them by experts on what they should be feeding their children

Do you focus on a balanced diet over the Christmas period?  However you spend Christmas I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.