12 months
12 months
Happy 1st birthday to your morning chuckler! The best gift you can give is a balanced and nutritious diet to set them up for a lifetime of health. Here you’ll find everything you need for feeding your little one at this stage.
EXPERT'S
ADVICE
Samantha Forrest
PICCOLO NUTRITIONIST
MUM OF 3, BSc BIOANALYTICAL
& MSc PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE
MUM OF 3, BSc BIOANALYTICAL
& MSc PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE
By 12 months, babies are ready to transition to family-style meals, so you can begin offering small, soft portions of what the family eats, ensuring everything is cut to bite-size. This is a critical stage to reinforce good mealtime routines—avoid distractions, and let them feel part of family meals. If they’re hesitant about new foods, try pairing them with a favourite item for familiarity. Keep offering diverse foods, and be patient with their pace—positive mealtime experiences now can foster a lifelong love for nutritious foods.
INCREASED APPETITE AND CURIOSITY
Your toddler is eyeing up a variety of foods and eating more at mealtimes – time to serve up a balanced diet with diverse food groups, colorful plates & healthy snacks.
DEVELOPING TASTE PREFERENCES
They’re starting to have likes and dislikes, so it’s key to offer a range of healthy options to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
IMPROVED EATING SKILLS
With better chewing and swallowing abilities, your little one can now handle more complex textures and a wider variety of foods.
NUTRITION Facts
Protein is essential for growth
and muscle development,
from soft-cooked meats like
chicken & beef and
legumes like beans,
peas & lentils.
Iron is critical at this stage
for healthy brain
development, from
soft-cooked veggies like
broccoli & spinach.
Vitamin D supports
calcium absorption
and supports bone
health, from soft-cooked
oily fish like salmon,
tuna & trout.
![](https://www.mylittlepiccolo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/12months_4.webp")
Find our favourite nutritious recipes below to keep your nappy-stinker satisfied:
From decoding those sounds your little one
makes to navigating allergies, special diets
and food safety – we’ve got you covered!
*EXPERT'S NAME*'S ADVICE
Lorem ipsum
Job Title
“Offering balanced plates with proper portion
sizes and healthy snack choices ensures your child
gets the right nutrients they need at this stage and
helps shape their future food preferences. Starting
young with health, balance, and moderation sets
the foundations for lasting healthy eating habits.”
Find the ideal nutrition solution for your 12+ month-old.
