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

At 2, most toddlers eat about five times a day. Here's what's typical at this age:

• Three meals and two snacks: Roughly five eating occasions across the day.

• Mostly self-feeding: Your toddler can usually handle utensils and drink from a cup, though hands still get plenty of use.

• Family food, with modifications: A full or nearly full set of teeth means chewing has improved, so your toddler can eat what everyone else is eating once high-risk choking foods are modified. They may not want to, but they can!

• 16 - 24 oz of milk a day: This is what the AAP recommends. More than 24 oz can displace nutrients your toddler needs from solid foods.

The schedule below is a guide, not a rule. Modify it to fit your family — you know them 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

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. 

A predictable bedtime routine can help set the tone for sleep, making it easier for your toddler to settle and fall asleep without relying on food overnight [2].

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 

• Picky, or selective, eating 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 constipation, especially as they start potty training. 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 childcare 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.

If you’re curious about what lies ahead when it comes to feeding, check out a 3 year feeding schedule. Take a look back at how far you’ve come by revisiting a 19 - 23 month feeding schedule.