What should an 18-month-old baby eat?

It's very natural to worry about feeding at this age, but rest assured—feeding at 18 months is more about exploration and practice than getting everything "right." Conflicting advice online is stressful, so let's set a clear framework.

What can an 18-month-old eat?

Your baby can now eat most soft, unsalted, and lightly seasoned foods from your family table. Each meal should include one item from each of four groups:

• Protein: boiled egg, ground meat/chicken patty, lentil soup, yogurt, cheese
• Vegetables/Fruit: steamed carrots, squash, broccoli; or peeled apple/pear slices
• Carbohydrate: whole wheat bread crumb, bulgur pilaf, large-cut pasta
• Healthy fat: olive oil, avocado

Portion size: about the size of your baby's fist—don't expect more, and appetite changes day to day.

When should you worry? Only in these situations:

• No weight gain or weight loss over 2-3 weeks
• Completely refusing an entire food group (e.g., rejecting all proteins, eating only carbs)
• Gagging, coughing, or difficulty swallowing at every meal
• Diarrhea or constipation lasting longer than 48 hours

So in general: trust your table, watch your baby's cues, put one item from each group on their plate, and don't stress if they skip a meal. Eighteen months is not a battle over food—it's a learning period.