🕒 24-Hour Feeding Schedule for Toddlers (24 Months +)
🕒 24-Hour Feeding Schedule for Toddlers (24 Months +)
Fostering Independence, Nutrition & Healthy Habits
At 2 years old and beyond, your child is no longer a baby but a growing toddler with increasing independence, energy, and nutritional needs. At this stage, they should be eating three balanced meals and 2–3 healthy snacks per day, alongside water and milk.
They’ll be exploring new tastes, textures, and food combinations — and learning by watching you!
✅ General Guidelines for 2+ Years:
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Serve family meals with age-appropriate modifications (less spice, smaller pieces)
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Offer 3 meals + 2–3 snacks daily
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Encourage self-feeding with spoons, cups, and fingers
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Offer water throughout the day
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Provide 1–2 cups of milk daily (or dairy alternatives if needed)
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Focus on variety: grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats
📅 Sample 24-Hour Feeding Schedule (24+ Months)
| Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | Wake Up & Hydrate | Offer water as the first drink of the day. |
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast | Balanced meal: e.g., oats with milk + banana slices OR soft bread + scrambled egg + fruit |
| 9:30 AM | Morning Snack | Small portion of fruit (e.g., pear slices, mango chunks) or yoghurt + water |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | Rice + stew with shredded chicken or beans + vegetables (e.g., kontomire, carrots) + small glass of water |
| 1:00 PM | Nap Time | 1–2 hours midday nap |
| 2:30 PM | Post-Nap Snack | Small whole-grain crackers, baby biscuits, or boiled ripe plantain with groundnut paste |
| 5:00 PM | Dinner | Banku with okro stew (mild), mashed yam + fish sauce, or soft boiled potatoes + vegetables |
| 6:30 PM | Evening Wind-Down | Family time, stories, quiet play |
| 7:30 PM | Bedtime Snack & Milk | Light snack like pap or a small banana + warm milk (½–1 cup) |
| 8:00 PM – 6:30 AM | Night Sleep | Toddlers may sleep 10–12 hours through the night. |
🥦 Sample Meal Components by Group
| Food Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Carbs | Rice, yam, potatoes, millet, oats, kenkey |
| Proteins | Eggs, chicken, beans, fish, meat, tofu |
| Veggies | Carrots, kontomire, okro, pumpkin, garden eggs |
| Fruits | Banana, pawpaw, watermelon, mango, apples |
| Fats | Avocado, groundnut paste, palm oil, olive oil |
| Dairy | Milk, yoghurt, cheese (if tolerated) |
👪 Tips for Parents:
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Offer meals at consistent times to build routine
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Keep portions toddler-sized — let them ask for more
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Avoid distractions (e.g., screens) during meals
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Continue to model healthy eating — toddlers copy you!
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Limit sugary snacks and fizzy drinks