Everything your kids need to grow, explained.
Nutrients, stages, habits, health and what's really in their food — plain-spoken, sourced, and written for the parent standing in the kitchen at 6pm.
Show me guides for
How many calories does a baby need a day?
Daily calorie ranges by month, what they look like in bottles and feeds, and why you don't need to count them.
More for babies
See all 17 →
2-year-old breakfast ideas: 15 quick, balanced options
Fifteen quick breakfasts for 2-year-olds — built from protein or dairy, fruit and a grain, in toddler-sized portions, and cut safely for small mouths.
More for toddlers
See all 37 →
Picky 5-year-old recipes: 12 meals kids actually eat
Twelve ordinary, familiar dinners with the protein counted for you, plus the low-pressure habits that help a choosy child try one new thing at a time.
More for little kids
See all 30 →
How much juice should a child drink?
The AAP's limits by age in a simple chart, why whole fruit beats juice, and practical ways to cut back without a fight.
More for big kids
See all 13 →
New this week
Everything new →
Six ways in
All guides →Nutrients
What kids need, by age — and what that looks like on a real plate.
- How much iron does a toddler need?
- How much protein does a toddler need?
- Calcium for kids who don't like milk
Ages & stages
Feeding through each stage, from first bites to the preteen growth spurt.
- How many calories does a baby need a day?
- When can babies have honey?
- What should a 5-year-old eat in a day?
Eating habits
Picky eating, appetite swings and keeping mealtimes calm.
- Picky 5-year-old recipes: 12 meals kids actually eat
- 2-year-old picky eater? What's normal and what helps
- 4-year-old won't eat anything? What helps
Everyday food
Breakfasts, lunchboxes, snacks and family meals that cover the gaps.
- 2-year-old breakfast ideas: 15 quick, balanced options
- 1-year-old meal ideas: a sample day of balanced meals
- 5-year-old meal ideas: a week of balanced plates
Health & growth
Growth checks, allergies, digestion — and when to call the doctor.
- Baby constipation after starting solids
- Foods that help toddler constipation
- Preteen growth spurt: why they're always hungry
What's in it
Sugar, salt, ultra-processed food, labels, drinks and supplements.
- Can toddlers have protein powder?
- How much juice should a child drink?
- Does a 2-year-old need vitamins?
The numbers parents search for
All quick answers →How much iron does a toddler need?
For ages 1 to 3, rising to 10 mg for ages 4 to 8, per the U.S. National Academies.
Read the full guide →How much milk should a toddler drink?
About 2 cups a day from 12 to 24 months, and 16–24 oz from ages 2 to 5, per the AAP.
Milk, water and juice by age →How much protein does a toddler need?
For ages 1 to 3, rising to 19 g for ages 4 to 8, per the U.S. National Academies.
What 13 grams looks like →See what your kids are really eating.
Snap a photo of any meal and Picklee shows each child's protein, iron, calcium and more — then suggests what to add next. Made by the team behind Growing Plate.