Baby’s breakfast between 1 and 2 years old

Focus on breakfast for children between 12 and 24 months

Since walking, Jolan hasn’t stopped for a second. No sooner had he arrived in the garden than he was climbing on a slide, rolling around in the sandbox, eager for new discoveries and experiences. At this age, children turn into real little explorers of the world. Tireless and mischievous, they spend colossal energy on a daily basis. To survive, they need a balanced diet, starting with a good breakfast.

Food after 12 months: What should my child eat? In what quantity?

In a 12 month old child, breakfast should cover 25% of the daily energy intake, or about 250 calories. From 12 months, a bottle of milk alone is not enough. It is necessary to add cereals or to supplement it with another starch, such as bread butter and jam. It is also possible to introduce a portion of fruit, preferably fresh. “Breakfast must provide all the energy necessary to allow the child to get involved in the morning’s activities”, explains Catherine Bourron-Normand, dietitian specializing in children. Because, if he has a change of direction in the morning, he will be in less good shape.

Lack of food: 1 in 2 children only drink milk in the morning

Despite these recommendations, 1 in 2 children only drink milk in the morning, according to a Blédina survey. As for cereals, only 29% of children aged 9-18 months benefit from infant cereals accompanied by milk. Experts advise against pastries, which are rich in saturated fat and not very satiating, 25% of 12-18 month olds consume one every day. These figures probably explain why a third of French children aged 9-18 months still take a snack in the morning when it is no longer recommended. Generally speaking, it is the entire family breakfast ritual that tends to crumble. According to a recent survey by the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Credoc) the first meal of the day is less and less consumed by the French, especially in children from 3 to 12 years old. They were 91% in 2003 to eat in the morning and are 87% in 2010.

Breakfast: a ritual to be preserved

“In the morning, everything is timed,” explains Frédérique. I go to the shower, then I prepare breakfast. My husband takes care of the children, we sit together for 10 minutes, then we’re off again! In many families, the preparation in the morning is more like a Koh Lanta ordeal than the famous advertisement for Ricorea. Wake up each child, help them get dressed, check the satchels, bottle-feed the youngest, prepare yourself, (try) to put on makeup … In the rush, it is not uncommon for breakfast slips through the door and, a bit guilty, we slip a pain au lait in the backpack of his elder brother. Obviously, it all depends on the circumstances. In fact, the organization will be easier if you have flexible hours, if you live close to your work or if there is only one child to take care of. Despite the haste, however, it is important to set aside some time for breakfast. “During the week, when the pace is strong, the child can take his bottle at the table when the older ones sit with him intermittently, explains Jean-Pierre Corbeau, sociologist of food. This organization allows everyone to go about their business while maintaining this ritual of the first meal of the day. “On the weekends, however, it’s not the same pace. Ideally, young and old then share breakfast around a family table.

The most emotionally charged meal for the child

It is through food, a vital need, that the first links are created between the child and his parents. From birth, the baby takes intense pleasure in breastfeeding, even toddlers, he is able to create this moment of well-being internally to calm himself down when hunger bothers him. As children grow older, they become independent, learn to eat on their own, and adapt to the rhythm of adults. But the meal continues to give him real emotion, particularly the breakfast mainly consisting of the bottle to which he is very attached. “Breakfast is the most emotionally charged meal,” emphasizes Catherine Jousselme, child psychiatrist. The baby comes out of his night, faces the day. The main thing is to have time to talk to him to help him prepare for his day. and leave with secure bases towards the outside. This transition to an “active sociability” can only be done if the child is at least surrounded. In this sense, television in the morning, if it is systematic is not recommended. In any case, before 3 years, TV is no.