14 Months Old Baby Food – Ideas, Chart, and Recipes

If your baby is turning 14 months in a couple of days, you might be looking for some food items that can be given to him. However, creating a 14 months baby food menu will not be an easy task for a parent. The feeding habits of your growing baby will have changed considerably since he turned one and now you will have to give it a lot of thought before feeding anything to your baby because this is the age when a child starts being picky. While introducing new foods to your 14-month-old baby, you must make sure that those foods meet his nutrient requirements. Read this article to know what to feed a 14-month-old baby.

Video: Food Ideas for 14 Month Old Baby

Nutrient Requirements of a 14-Month-Old Child

Your child is still in a growing stage and needs the best nutrition to keep his development on track.

1. Calories

Energy is the biggest requirement for kids who are 14 months old. Beginning with 1000 calories from the previous months, the daily requirement would plateau somewhere around 1200-1300 calories at this time.

2. Proteins

Our diet usually focuses highly on carbohydrates, which can leave the intake of protein on the lower side. But don’t ignore it. A 14-month-old kid requires around 13-15 grams of protein on a daily basis.

3. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates should be included in your child’s diet since they not only provide energy but give the brain all the support it needs to function and grow. Their requirement is the same as that of an adult, i.e. roughly 130-150 grams per day.

4. Dietary Fibre

Dietary fibre is important for your child’s good health. It helps in digestion and ensures proper bowel movement.  A child’s daily intake of fibre from fruits and whole foods should be at least 19 grams.

5. Sodium

Sodium is one of the most vital nutrients required for our bodily processes. Kids need it too. A baby would need around 1 gram of sodium every day.

6. Iron

If your child has weaned, he needs to keep his iron intake optimal from other sources. With a 7mg daily intake of iron, your child will easily steer clear of any kind of iron deficiency.

7. Water

While most parents might not look at water as a nutrient, the requirement of water to keep the body’s electrolyte balance perfect cannot be stressed enough. Make sure your child drinks at least 1 litre of water throughout the day.

8. Supplementary Nutrients

Apart from the major ones, some trace substances are also necessary to support different areas of the body. Omega 3 fatty acids, DHA, probiotics, and many others can be included by adding a variety of foods to your baby’s meals.

How Much Food Does a Toddler Need At 14 Months?

Before looking for breakfast ideas for your little one, it is important to know that a 14-month-old toddler won’t eat as much as he used to before. Even though babies this age are growing, their development rate is plateauing to a fixed pace. A daily requirement of 1000 calories is usually enough for kids at this age.

Best Foods for a Fourteen-Month-Old Baby

To ensure that your 14-month-old baby gets the best nutrition, here are some 14-month-old food ideas that you can include in his diet without fail.

1. Breastmilk

Although many mothers might choose to wean their child, if breastmilk consumption is continued at this age, it is quite beneficial for the little one. Numerous antibodies along with enzymes and vitamins are easily provided via breastmilk and keep your kid healthier and protected from infection for a longer duration.

2. Meat

While choosing meat, it is necessary to opt for lean meat products such as fish or poultry for your kid. These can provide the required amount of protein for your kid’s age as well as introduce him to a tasty and delicious palate at the same time. Around 30g of meat should suffice.

3. Cheese

Kids love to eat cheese. It doesn’t have to always be paired with bread items or any fast foods. Include cheese with your regular vegetables or breakfast items for an added twist, and your kid will get enough calcium and proteins from it.

4. Beans

When giving beans to your child, mash them. These are a blessing for families that are vegetarian since they can provide a good quantity of proteins and vitamin C. Furthermore, synthesis of iron within the body is also supported by them.

5. Eggs

Eggs are highly recommended and one of the most popular choices for breakfast. Since there are so many ways to make eggs, your child will never get bored. Along with that, the presence of folate, vitamin B12, iron, and other nutrients make it the healthiest meal your child will have.

6. Juices

When we say juices, we strictly mean the ones prepared at home from fresh fruits. Don’t give your child commercially-available juices that contain preservatives, sugar, or any sort of additional elements. Stick to only 180-200ml of quantity at the most.

7. Milk

Some kids are weaned off by the time they are 14 months, so they must drink around half a cup of milk on a daily basis without fail. Pairing it with some interesting food items can elevate the taste, and the fat from the milk will provide him with energy.

8. Vegetables

These form the very core of any meal for a child. Avoid giving raw vegetables to your child. Instead, steam or boil them to make them soft. Opting for items of various colours would make the entire dish interesting for your child, and help him meet his vitamin intake properly.

9. Fruits

It is a great habit to eat a fruit after having a meal since they top up any missing nutrients that your body requires. Make sure the fruits are ripe when given to your kid. A 14-month-old child can have around a small cup of fruit quite easily.

10. Grains

The largest constituent present in a child’s meal are foods made from grains. Whole foods or even vegetable pasta can be tasty ways to include grains in his diet. Opting for bread made from whole wheat or including oatmeal in breakfast is highly recommended for kids to make sure that their nutrients requirements are met in an easy way.

Video: Diet plan for 14-Month-Old Baby

14-Month-Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

If you’re struggling to prepare a meal plan or a diet chart for 14 months baby, we’ve got you covered. Here is a simple 14-month-old eating schedule that you can use as a starting point.

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 1

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 2

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 3

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 4

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 5

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 6

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 1, Day 7

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 1

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 2

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 3

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 4

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 5

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 6

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 2, Day 7

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 1

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 2

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 3

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 4

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 5

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 6

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 7

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 1

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 2

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 3

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 4

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 5

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 6

Diet for a 14 Month-Old – Week 4, Day 7

Video: 14 Month Old Baby Food Recipes

Food Recipes for a 14-Month-Old Child

Here are some great meals for a 14-month-old that can be eaten at  the day.

1. Instant Rawa Idli

The cornerstone of a healthy breakfast, this recipe can double up as a quick snack in the evenings with variations that make it tastier than it already is.

Ingredients

• Ghee
• Garam masala
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Capsicum
• Carrot
• Onion
• Curd
• Rawa

How To Prepare

1. Except for salt and ghee, put together all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them properly.
2. Coat the idli moulds with ghee and pour the batter in them, leaving some space at the top.
3. Use the vegetables to decorate the top and place the moulds in an idli steamer for around 10-15 minutes.

2. Vegetable Pasta

If your kid is bored of eating the same thing, surprise him with this vegetable pasta and watch him dive into it.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Black pepper
• Mixed herbs
• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Pasta
• Salt
• French beans
• Capsicum
• Carrot
• Tomato
• Onion

How To Prepare

1. Take a pan and add water to it. Add salt and oil to it and let it boil.
2. Once it starts boiling, add the pasta and let it cook on a low flame.
3. Later, strain it and wash with cold water.
4. Take olive oil in a large pan and add some onion and sauté it properly.
5. Follow up with tomato, beans, capsicum, and let it cook together. Then, add some carrots and let them get tender as well.
6. Finally add all the seasonings and condiments along with mixed herbs, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Cook this entire mixture for a few minutes.
7. Add the cooked pasta to it and mix it well. Serve warm.

3. Carrot Rice

Plain rice can be too bland for kids. Pep up the taste with one of these healthy lunch ideas.

Ingredients

• Water
• Ghee
• Cashews
• Almonds
• Cinnamon
• Sugar
• Rice
• Carrots

How To Prepare

1. Saute almonds and cashews in a pan with ghee and place them aside.
2. Cook cinnamon in the same pan, along with carrots. Add some water to it and let it boil.
3. Once it does, add rice to it and cover the pan to cook it well. Sprinkle some sugar midway.
4. Stir it properly and garnish with the nuts sautéed earlier.

4. Vermicelli Pulao

For kids that may or may not like vermicelli, this pulao combo will definitely have them drooling.

Ingredients

• Mustard seeds
• Black pepper
• Turmeric
• Salt
• French beans
• Capsicum
• Carrot
• Ginger
• Tomato
• Onion
• Vermicelli

How To Prepare

1. Take a deep pan and add water, salt, and ghee to it and let it boil.
2. Add vermicelli and let it cook.
3. In another pan, add ghee followed by mustard seeds. Follow up with onions and tomatoes when they pop. Later, add the vegetables and let them cook.
4. Finally, sprinkle the condiments with some salt and add vermicelli to the mixture.

5. Oats Pancakes

Make the weekend a fantastic one with these pancakes for breakfast or even for dinner.

Ingredients

• Ghee
• Water
• Black pepper
• Coriander powder
• Salt
• Turmeric
• Onion
• Carrot
• Besan
• Oats

How To Prepare

1. Put together carrots, onions, condiments, besan, oats in a bowl and mix them to form a batter.
2. Coat a pan with ghee and use the batter to make round shaped pancakes.
3. Cook both sides till they are brown and coat with ketchup, honey, or jam.

Feeding Tips

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before feeding your child:

• Continue breastfeeding your child if you can.
• Make sure you give tiny pieces of fruit or other food items.
• Teach him to take small bites and chew properly.
• Make him eat only when he is sitting up.
• Do not make him sip juices or milk around bedtime.
• Teach your baby how to use a cup.

Disclaimer:

1. Each child is different and so use these meal plans as a trusted guide as per your discretion. You can modify the meals according to your child’s preferences / requirements.
2. Never force-feed a child.
3. While preparing formula, please follow the instructions on the box and use the measuring spoon provided with it.
4. While introducing solid food to a baby, initially, one needs to prepare watery gruels/soups. As a child gets older, the caretaker/ mother has to increase the thickness of the liquids slowly according to the child’s capacity to swallow. Foods that are too thick can cause stomach upset/ unnecessary load; while excessively watery food might cause the child to remain hungry.
5. Some kids may eat less on some days and that is absolutely alright. However, if a child eats less for more than 3-4 consecutive days, please visit a doctor to guide further.
6. A child may eat less during the teething phase or if he/she may not be feeling well. You could increase breast milk /formula feeds on those days. Re-introduce the foods once the child is back to normal.
7. Don’t stop feeding if the child is suffering from diarrhoea.
8. 8. You can alter the taste of the food by adding some natural flavours like cinnamon, jeera powder, lemon juice, curry leaves etc. if the child doesn’t accept the food initially.
9. If your child suffers from an allergy to nuts, gluten or eggs, please consult your doctor before feeding him/her any foods that may contain them.

FAQs

1. What Are Some Good Finger Foods For a 14 Month Old?

Finger foods are a great way for babies to explore different textures and eat independently. Some finger foods you can start giving your child are cooked carrot and broccoli, cheese, pasta, banana, and lightly-toasted bread. Make sure you keep a watch on your babies while they munch on finger foods to prevent choking.

2. Which Foods Are Not Recommended For 14-Month-Old Babies?

Avoid giving your child sodium-heavy or unpasteurised foods. Also ensure you do not feed your baby big pieces of fruits or vegetables to avoid choking. Foods with added sugars or artificial sweeteners are strict no-no as well.

Try these amazing recipes for your 14-month-old baby and he will eat it without any fuss. With a proper meal plan and a diet that covers all the necessary nutrients, you can know for sure that your tiny tot is developing in the right way.

References/Resources:

1. Feeding your baby: 1–2 years; unicef; https://www.unicef.org/parenting/food-nutrition/feeding-your-baby-1-2-years

2. Cow’s Milk and Milk Alternatives; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/cows-milk-and-milk-alternatives.html; May 2022

3. Baby and toddler meal ideas; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/baby-and-toddler-meal-ideas/; December 2022

4. Diagnosing Allergies in Children; American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology; https://acaai.org/allergies/testing-diagnosis/for-children-and-infants/

5. Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/index.html; December 2021

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