How many calories does a child need? A guide by age

The short answer

A 1-year-old needs about 1,000 calories a day and a 2-year-old about 1,000 to 1,400, depending on activity, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).²³ A 9-month-old needs about 750 to 900.¹

In real life that’s three meals and one or two snacks for a 2-year-old.³ You don’t need to add anything up to get there.

These are averages. The AAP says its calorie guidance is only a guide, because each child’s needs are different.⁴

How many calories does a 9-month-old need?

Between 750 and 900 a day, of which about 400 to 500 should come from breast milk or formula, according to the AAP.¹ That’s roughly 24 oz a day.¹ The rest comes from solid foods, which is why this is the age when meals start to matter. For portions by month, see how much solid food a baby should eat, and for younger babies see how many calories a baby needs a day.

How many calories does a 1- or 2-year-old need?

About 1,000 a day at age 1, divided among three meals and two snacks.² At age 2 the AAP says 1,000 to 1,400, based on activity, with three meals plus one or two snacks.³

The number often surprises parents, because it’s a lot less than they expect. Growth slows after the first birthday, so a toddler really doesn’t need as much food, and the AAP says you’ll probably notice a sharp drop in appetite.² That’s normal. If your toddler leaves food on the plate, that is usually fine; offer the next meal or snack on schedule and let their appetite lead. Our guide to what a 2-year-old should eat in a day shows what 1,000 to 1,400 looks like on a plate, and toddler portion sizes shows how small the servings are.

A child who is growing well is getting enough to eat.

Does a 2-year-old girl need different calories from a boy?

The AAP’s 2-year-old page gives one figure, 1,000 to 1,400 calories a day depending on activity, without separate numbers for girls and boys.³ For a preschooler, the AAP notes that a growing child needs 1 to 2 healthy snacks every day; see its preschool feeding advice.⁶

Why needs vary

Activity matters. The AAP gives walking to school as an example of moderate activity and playing basketball as vigorous.⁴ Size and growth spurts matter too, which is why two children of the same age can eat very different amounts.

What helps a small appetite get enough

When a child eats little at one meal, the next meal or snack is a second chance. These habits work better than pressure:

• Keep a rhythm. Three meals and one or two snacks a day gives small stomachs regular chances to eat.³⁶
• Don’t force it. The AAP advises against forcing a preschooler to eat.⁶
• Watch the drinks. Juice, soda and sports drinks can add unneeded calories and harm teeth.⁶
• Judge growth, not one meal. A child who is growing well is getting enough to eat.⁵

Is my child eating enough?

Growth is a better test than any number. The AAP’s answer is simple: a child who is growing well is getting enough to eat.⁵ Your pediatrician checks this at every visit against your child’s own growth curve.

The AAP also describes a division of jobs that takes pressure off both of you. You decide what’s offered; your child decides how much to eat. Children eat when they’re hungry and usually stop when they’re full.⁵ Toddlers who eat a lot one day and almost nothing the next are very common; see why that happens.

Why not count calories?

Calorie figures describe averages across many children. Yours may sit above or below them and be perfectly healthy. A toddler’s intake also swings from meal to meal and day to day, so a single day’s tally says very little about whether your child is eating enough. Looking at the pattern over several days, and at how your child is growing and behaving, tells you much more. The AAP says children should not be on calorie-restricted diets unless a doctor recommends it.⁴

If you want to look ahead, older children’s needs rise, as covered in how many calories a 10-year-old should eat.

When to call your pediatrician

Your pediatrician can check growth and tell you whether your child’s intake is on track. Don’t start any diet or supplement on your own.

Common questions