20 Months Old Baby Food – Ideas, Chart and Recipes

As your child approaches 20 months of age, you may notice a significant shift in their behaviour, particularly during mealtimes. Tantrums may become more frequent as they assert their growing independence. The once-beloved breakfast options may suddenly be met with resistance, leaving you baffled and frustrated. This phase, typically occurring around the two-year mark, marks a crucial developmental stage where children’s eating habits undergo considerable changes.
One strategy to navigate this stage is to have a repertoire of quick-to-prepare 20-month-old baby food recipes at your disposal. Additionally, considering a meal plan that incorporates a variety of flavours and textures can keep things interesting and enticing for your little one.

Nutrient Requirements of 20 Months Old Children

Even while putting together interesting lunch ideas for your 20-month child, it is important to keep in mind that certain nutrients are essential for a baby and you cannot do away with it. Following are the nutrient requirements of a 20-month-old child. Make sure your child gets these nutrients:

1. Calories

Calories help provide energy for the body. The key aspect here is to know the difference between a diet that provides good nutrition as well as enough calories that power the core of the body. A balance is necessary to avoid a meal plan that skews towards either direction.

2. Proteins

Proteins are considered to be the building blocks of the body and are essential for toddlers, especially in their development stage. Ensure that his diet consists of adequate protein.

3. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates help provide fuel for the brain, muscles and nervous system.

4. Fibre

Fibre helps in proper bowel movement and proper digestion. A simple habit to ensure enough fibre content in your kid’s meal is to opt for whole food items instead of any processed stuff. Most of the time, many carbohydrate-rich food items have a substantial fibre content in them.

5. Sodium

Not many doctors or nutritionists stress the necessity of sodium to be present in the child’s diet. All it takes is just 1 gram of sodium every day. Any reduction can severely hamper the nerve function in a kid.

6. Iron

Iron is required by the body for the proper functioning of the blood. Most kids that have an iron deficiency are primarily those that have a strong preference in their food choices. Iron supplements are barely needed, and most of them can also be obtained from vitamin C-rich fruits or even utensils made from cast iron.

7. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed for children of this age as it helps to absorb calcium and improves bone growth. This can be found in milk and through adequate exposure to sunlight.

8. Water

Water helps in numerous bodily functions such as digestion, the creation of saliva and regulating body temperature. The activity of your child and the consumption of water need to be directly proportional at all times. Even if your little one isn’t playing around all the time, keeping up with the daily water intake is essential in every way.

How Much Food Does Toddler Need in the 20th Month?

The activities of your little one will begin to increase as he approaches the 2-year mark. Therefore, his calorie requirement will now begin to approach closer to 1400, even though his appetite stays more or less the same.

Best Foods for Twenty-month-old Baby

Your dinner ideas for your little one can be enhanced by including certain foods in the diet of your 20-month-old baby.

1. Fruits

When it comes to including fruits for nutrition variety can make it so much easier. Mangoes, kiwi, berries of various types, grapes, bananas, and even dry fruits play a vital role in introducing numerous tastes and nutrients to your kid.

2. Eggs

Eating an egg every day can be great for your child’s health. Pair them up with bread to ensure a breakfast that provides all nutrients or even include them in various vegetable recipes.

3. Dairy Products

Apart from a glass of milk, there are multiple items such as cheese, yoghurt, and kefir, that ought to be a part of your child’s diet. Lactose-intolerant kids can opt for fortified alternatives.

4. Fatty Oils

Coconut oil and avocado oil have a special place in the diet of kids who are 20 months old. Appropriately served, these provide enough fat supply to the child, which creates energy reserves that keep the body going.

5. Vegetables

While leafy vegetables, as well as greens like peas, cauliflowers, broccoli and numerous other veggies, are good for your child, these are not the only sources. Simple tomato sauces and salsa do contain beneficial nutrients, too.

6. Meat

As your child comes closer to completing 2 years, you can start introducing small chunks of different meat items such as turkey, mutton, beef and so on. Make sure to start off slow and teach him to chew them properly.

7. Legumes And Nuts

Right from seeds such as hemp, chia, flaxseeds as well as legumes like peas, lentils, beans and many others, a couple of servings provided each day to your child would be a great addition to his nutrition.

8. Greens And Citrus Fruits

Leafy vegetables in large proportion combined with fruits that are rich in vitamin C work together in providing the kid’s body with iron and helping it absorb within the system effectively. Red meat is known to do the same job, too.

9. Bread and Oatmeal

The reason oatmeal is highly recommended for kids, along with whole wheat bread, is the larger benefit, the inclusion of grain food items brings to their body. Quinoa is also suggested by most parents for kids between 1-2 years old.

10. Seafood

Seafood is a tad tricky since it does have some great benefits but also comes with the risk of arsenic or mercury poisoning. As long as you stick to specific fishes which are procured from reliable sources, your kids will benefit greatly from them.

20-Month-Old Baby Food Chart/Meal Plan

Here’s a diet chart for a 20-month-old baby to help you with planning his meals.

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 2

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 3

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 5

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 1, Day 7

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 2

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 3

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 5

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 2, Day 7

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 2

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 3

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 5

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 3, Day 7

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 1

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 2

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 3

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 4

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 5

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 6

Diet for a 20-month-old – Week 4, Day 7

Food Recipes for 20 Months Old Baby

If you’re still figuring out what to feed your 20-month old that you can cook easily, these recipes can pave the way to make it happen.

1. Pumpkin Pancakes

These can be prepared and refrigerated in advance as well, to make for a quick and delicious breakfast.

Ingredients

• Vanilla essence
• Pumpkin puree
• Eggs
• Butter
• Milk
• Brown sugar
• Salt
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Whole wheat flour

How to Prepare

1. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and brown sugar together in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl, add milk, butter, eggs, puree and vanilla essence and mix it all well.
3. Pour this into the first bowl and whisk them until they are smooth. Let it sit for a while.
4. Use this batter to make pancakes on a pan coated with ghee at medium heat. Cook both sides to a golden brown colour and serve with honey or maple syrup.

2. Paneer Wheat Biscuits

Biscuits don’t have to be the same boring ones all the time. Here’s a great variant for you to try.

Ingredients

• Salt
• Curry leaves
• Ajwain
• Onion
• Butter, salted
• Baking powder
• Whole wheat flour
• Paneer, crumbled

How to Prepare

1. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 170 degrees and grease a tray.
2. Grind together curry leaves, ajwain and onions.
3. Take butter in a bowl and add paneer to it, while whisking it. Add in the flour along with other ingredients mixing it all together properly till it is stiff.
4. Cut out biscuit shapes from a thinly rolled layer of dough. Bake these in the oven for about 20 minutes and take them out once they get brown. Let them cool and then store in an airtight container.

3. Veg Manchurian

Homemade Chinese food is the best your kids will have, that is healthy and tasty at the same time.

Ingredients

• Cornflour
• Refined flour
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Carrot
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Vegetable stock
• Ketchup
• Soy sauce
• Ginger paste
• Garlic
• Onion
• Oil

How to Prepare

1. Chop all veggies and mix them in a bowl with the flours to form a dough. Don’t add extra water.
2. Make balls from this dough and deep fry in a pan to a brown shade. Use a napkin to soak extra oil.
3. Take a pot and fry ginger garlic paste in it. Follow up by sautéing the onions and adding condiments and sauces.
4. Pour in the vegetable stock and let it boil. Add the cornflour paste to make it consistent and gently insert the fried balls in it.

4. Whole Wheat Cake

Give your little one a cake that is not just delicious but healthy all the way.

Ingredients

• Baking powder
• Banana
• Dry fruits
• Ghee
• Jaggery
• Milk
• Wheat flour

How to Prepare

1. Fry the flour with ghee and let it cool down.
2. Blend the flour with jaggery and banana. Add fried nuts to the flour.
3. Coat a cooker plate with ghee and pour the mix into it. Add a little water to the cooker and let it cook on medium heat for half an hour without a whistle.
4. Let the cake cool down before serving.

5. Suji Kheer

A kheer might not seem like a meal for your child, but it turns out to be quite filling and lip-smacking than expected.

Ingredients

• Water
• Elaichi powder
• Ghee
• Suji, roasted

How to Prepare

1. Add water in a pan and let it boil.
2. Add the roasted suji and keep stirring to prevent the formation of lumps.
3. Let it cook for a bit then add some ghee, mixing it.
4. Once fully cooked, turn off the heat and add elaichi powder to it.

6. Veggie Omelette

A colorful and nutritious blend of eggs and finely chopped vegetables, cooked to perfection for tiny taste buds to explore.

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Mixed vegetables (bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, etc.)
• Cheese (optional)
• Olive oil or butter

How to Prepare

1. Chop the vegetables finely.
2. Whisk eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add the chopped vegetables to the pan and sauté until they are tender.
5. Pour the beaten eggs over the vegetables in the pan.
6. Cook until the edges start to set, then sprinkle cheese (if using) over the omelette.
7. Fold the omelette in half and cook until the eggs are fully set.
8. Serve warm.

7. Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Soft and naturally sweetened muffins made with ripe bananas and wholesome oats, perfect for little hands to grasp and nibble on.

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas
• Rolled oats
• Eggs
• Baking powder
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Honey or maple syrup (optional)

How to Prepare

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a muffin tin or line with muffin liners.
2. In a bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
3. Add eggs and mix well.
4. Stir in rolled oats, baking powder, and cinnamon if using.
5. If desired, add honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
6. Pour the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
8. Allow the muffins to cool before serving.

8. Lentil Soup

A comforting bowl of warmth and flavor, this hearty lentil soup is packed with protein and veggies, perfect for a nourishing and easy-to-digest meal for your little one.

Ingredients

• Lentils
• Carrots
• Celery
• Onion
• Garlic
• Vegetable or chicken broth
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Salt
• Olive oil

How to Prepare

1. Rinse lentils under cold water and set aside.
2. Chop carrots, celery, and onion finely.
3. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add chopped vegetables and minced garlic. Sauté until softened.
4. Add lentils, broth, cumin, coriander, and salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
5. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup for a smoother texture, if desired.
6. Serve warm.

Feeding Tips

Keep a few tips in mind when preparing a meal plan and feeding your little one.

• Make sure vegetables are included daily
• Don’t force him to finish his plate if he doesn’t like it
• Don’t let him eat too much of anything as well
• If a child skips lunch, make sure the snack is judicious enough
• Let dinners include meals that can be had luxuriously
• If a child hates a food item, make sure you eat it as well
• Let your kid sit with you at the same dinner table as the family
• Keep track of allergies when introducing new food items
• Choose to mash food items rather than giving him whole
• Sugary items should be given within strict limits

FAQs

1. Is it normal for a 20-month-old to refuse food?

Yes, it’s normal for a 20-month-old to refuse food occasionally. Toddlers at this age are exploring their independence and may exhibit picky eating behaviours. It’s essential to offer a variety of nutritious options and not force them to eat if they’re not interested. Monitor their overall intake and consult a paediatrician if you have concerns about their nutrition.

2. How many times a day should you feed your 20-month-old?

Most 20-month-olds benefit from three meals and two snacks per day. Offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Keep in mind that appetite and eating habits can vary from child to child, so adjust the timing and portion sizes based on your child’s hunger cues and preferences.

So these were some ideas for food for a 20-month-old baby. Figuring out great snacks for a 20-month-old toddler won’t be as challenging as it seems, once you start looking at the possible combinations of everyday food items.

Disclaimer:

1. Each child is different so use these meal plans as a trusted guide at your discretion. You can modify the meals according to your child’s preferences/requirements.
2. Never force-feed a child.
3. While preparing the 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. 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.

References/Resources:

1. When Your Toddler Doesn’t Want to Eat; FamilyDoctor.org; https://familydoctor.org/when-your-toddler-doesnt-want-to-eat/

2. Healthy Eating for 6 to 24 month old children; Family Health Service; https://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/child/14727.html

3. Feeding & Nutrition Tips: Your 2-Year-Old; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/Feeding-and-Nutrition-Your-Two-Year-Old.aspx

4. Feeding Your 1- to 2-Year-Old; Nemours Kids Health; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/feed12yr.html

5. How Much and How Often To Feed; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/how-much-and-how-often.html

6. Eating tips for older toddlers; BetterHealth Channel; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/eating-tips-for-older-toddlers#tips-for-feeding-older-toddlers

7. Serving Sizes for Toddlers; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/Serving-Sizes-for-Toddlers.aspx

Also Read: 

17 Months Old Baby Food
Food for 18 Month Old
Food for 19 Month Old
21 Months Old Infant Food