Feeding babies, on demand makes sense, but it doesn’t work for older children. You can decide on how often you need to feed your kid based on your child’s development and growth. The younger your child, the more frequently you will need to feed him or her. As they grow, you will notice that their appetite changes. Though you cannot predict your child’s hunger every day, you need to pay attention to your child because only he or she should choose whether to eat or not.

By one year, most children are eating about six times per day, with the last meal typically consisting of milk or a breast feed. Toddlers tend to eat every two- to-three hours (five-six meals per day), while preschoolers may be able to go three or even four hours between meals.

It’s important to note that as your child grows so does his or her stomach. Therefore, children need to eat more often and keeping a check on the portion size of your child’s food is good enough, but keeping a tab on when you are feeding your child is equally important. American Academy of Pediatrics handbook, recommend three main meals and two between meals snacks for the average toddler or preschooler.

By school age, children can move to three meals and one afternoon snack routine, but timing of breakfast and lunch matter.

*Toddler- 5-6 times per day (3 meals and 2 -3 snacks)
* Preschooler- 5 times per day (3 meals and 2 snacks
* School age – 4-5 times per day (3 meals and 1-2 snacks )

Structuring meals and snacks without eating in between helps kids come to the table with an appetite.

— Deepti Arora —

Deepti Arora, Founder of Deliver Delights, and a Nutrition Consultant for kids is committed to helping parents make real food happen in their homes, understanding their child’s feeding temperaments and helping their child with Extreme Picky Eating.

Here are also some ways to increase your baby’s appetite and help him gain weight.