Snacks for Toddlers

DESSERTS, BETWEEN-MEAL SNACKS FOR TODDLERS

This is as good a time as any for your child to learn that desserts, with the exception of fruit, are nonessential. Certainly desserts add food value because their caloric content is high, but will obesity a primary medical concern, it's best if your youngster learns to regard them as an occasional treat, not as a part of every meal.

During their child's infant years, most parents are conscientious about following the diet given them by the doctor. But when Baby turns into a runabout with teeth and the ability to eat most foods on the family menu, he's exposed to a deluge of candy, ice cream, soft drinks, cookies, and the like.

The one idea most people have of the way to be good to a child is to feed him something, and in most cases, it's something sweet or rich. Thus children learn quickly to want the sweet, pleasant-tasting foods, and to reject those not so exciting. The carbohydrate or energy-producing foods taste better than the body-building and body-protecting ones; so many children grow up starved in protein, minerals, and vitamins, because they are unnecessarily surfeited with sweets.

Don't make this mistake with your youngster. Request friends, relatives, and neighbors not to feed your child between meals. They mean well, but you're the boss in these matters. If your child is actually hungry between meals, offer him good protein foods such as milk, cheese, or luncheon meat.

BABY WEIGHT GROWTH

Little has been said about baby weight growth since the end of the first year. If your child is given the care suggested, he'll be well nourished. There'll be no need to keep a constant eye on the scales. If you give him the proper food, rest, and outdoor life, his growth will take care of itself.

After his first birthday, the gain is much slower. His weight on an average is 21-24 pounds at 1 year and 24-27 at 2. His height on an average is 30 inches when he's 1 year old, 34 inches when he's 2.

Much more important than weight and height are the brightness of his eyes, the strength of his muscles, and solidness of his flesh, and his animation and happiness. If these are all good, your child is all right, whether he's above or below the average of tables.

Children born of tall, thin stock are likely to weigh less than the average. Short, stocky children will probably weigh more.