2 year / 24 month old feeding schedule: Amounts and food chart

At two years old, you know your toddler has opinions about everything including what shows up on their plate at mealtime. By now, they’ve likely gained more independent feeding skills and can enjoy most family foods. Although picky eating at 24 months is normal (and common!), too. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about navigating feeding with an assertive 2 year old. 

2 year old toddler sample feeding schedule

Toddlers at 2 typically eat around 5 times a day, 3 meals and 2 snacks. They are generally able to self-feed, sometimes with utensils, and can drink from cups. Chewing has often improved due to having a full (or almost full) set of teeth. Children at 24 months can usually eat what’s being served to the rest of the family, even if modifications need to be made to reduce choking risks. They may not want to eat it, but they can eat it! 

At this age, children’s nutritional needs should be met through solid foods. If they’re drinking more than 24 ounces of milk a day, chances are the liquid calories are displacing important nutrients in their diet and intake should be reduced. The AAP [] recommends 2 year olds drink 16 - 24 ounces (2-3 cups) of low-fat or skim milk per day.

The schedule below can help guide your little one’s feeding for the day. Every family is different, so feel free to modify it to fit your needs. You know your family best!

How much to feed a 2 year old: Food chart

Toddlers at 24 months continue to showcase their likes and dislikes when it comes to food and they explore their growing independence. This type of picky eating behavior is normal and will usually lessen over time. Serving a new food alongside foods they already like can help as you navigate this phase. Typically, kids at this age need to eat every three hours or so. Here’s a general idea of what that may look like:

2 year old feeding chart

How much to feed a 2 year old: Food chart

Toddlers at 24 months continue to showcase their likes and dislikes when it comes to food and they explore their growing independence. This type of picky eating behavior is normal and will usually lessen over time. Serving a new food alongside foods they already like can help as you navigate this phase. Typically, kids at this age need to eat every three hours or so. Here’s a general idea of what that may look like:

2 year old feeding chart

Night feedings for 2 year olds

Night feedings are usually not needed or recommended at 24 months. Most toddlers can meet their nutritional needs during the day, especially when they’re offered enough calories and eating opportunities. 

At this age, the quest for more snacks close to bedtime are often less about hunger and more about stalling before sleep. If your toddler does best with a small snack before bed, offer it at least 30 minutes before the bedtime routine begins. This helps create a clear separation between eating and sleep. 

A predictable can help set the tone for sleep, making it easier for your toddler to settle and fall asleep without relying on food overnight [].

Tips for feeding your 2 year old toddler

Find more details below:

Tip #1: Continue to focus on safety 

• Although your 2 year old has mastered a lot when it comes to feeding, safety still needs to be a top priority.

• Continue to serve meals and snacks while they are sitting down at the table, in a highchair or booster seat.

• Remove distractions such as screens and toys from the eating area and modify high-risk choking foods until age 4. 

Tip #2: Aim for a variety of foods 

• is a common challenge at this age. While it is completely normal, it can be frustrating for parents. To lessen its impact, continue offering a variety of foods when possible, even if you don’t think your child will eat them. Have the expectation that you are simply exposing them to the food; they don’t have to eat it right away.

• You can also try slightly changing their favorite foods to increase acceptance of the unfamiliar. For example, cut their sandwich a different way or serve it on a different type of bread. Novelty can be exciting and convince them to interact with their food more!

Tip #3: Watch out for constipation

• Many toddlers struggle with, especially as they start. Help ease constipation by ensuring your child gets adequate fiber and water in their diet. This can be accomplished by serving a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as offering water throughout the day.

Tip #4: Nurture hunger and fullness cues 

• It can be hard to sit on the sidelines during mealtime when it comes to a 24 month old. They are fiercely asserting their independence and may be eating in a way that is different than you’d expect.

• While you want the best for them, help them nurture their own hunger and fullness cues rather than try to pressure them into eating a certain amount. This will set them up for positive eating experiences in the future. 

Tip #5: Understanding what’s normal for picky eating 

• While picky eating is a normal part of development for many toddlers, sometimes it becomes extreme. If your little one has a short list of accepted foods, becomes very upset when certain foods are on their plate or their eating habits interfere with daily life, that often signals it's time to seek outside help.

• Contact your pediatrician or pediatric feeding specialist to come up with a plan. 

Common feeding challenges for 2 year olds

By age two, toddlers are full-on food explorers with opinions as big as their personalities. They may insist on feeding themselves, suddenly declare a favorite food “yucky,” or decide they only want to eat with a certain spoon or plate. Mealtimes can feel unpredictable and sometimes downright theatrical and that’s pretty par for the course for toddlers.

At this age, your child may also eat very differently at than at home. This is because they may be influenced by new routines, peer modeling, or simply the environment. While tricky, patience and repeated exposure to new foods can help your child try (and eventually like) new things. It’s your job to keep mealtimes pressure-free to help them build a healthy relationship with food — it’s a long game and it’s not easy! Celebrate small victories and know that it does typically get easier over time.

Takeaway

• Daily meals: At 2, children typically do best with around five opportunities to eat during the day, which usually beaks down to three meals and two snacks per day.

• Foster new feeding skills: 2 year olds are able to function more independently by self-feeding and can better indicate when they are hungry and full.

• Continue offering a variety of foods: Toddlers are often bold at the table. They are exploring textures and declaring favorites (and non-favorites). Even though it can be difficult as a parent, these independent skills help them in the long run! It may take repeated exposures for your child to try and like a new food. Know that picky eating behaviors fade over time. 

If you’re curious about what lies ahead when it comes to feeding, check out a . Take a look back at how far you’ve come by revisiting a .