How Much Lunch Should Babies and Young Children Eat at Nursery?

24th August 2026

One of the most common questions in early years nutrition is how much children should be eating at lunchtime.

For nurseries caring for babies from six months through to pre-school age, understanding portion sizes can feel challenging.

According to children's nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed, there is no single amount that every child should eat.

There Is No Perfect Portion Size

Charlotte explains:

"For babies and young children, there isn't a strict set portion size they should be eating at lunch."

For babies under one year old, there are currently no official portion-size guidelines.

Instead, Charlotte encourages a responsive feeding approach.

Understanding the Division of Responsibility

Charlotte advocates for the "division of responsibility" approach.

"Adults choose what is offered and when, and children choose whether and how much to eat."

This means adults provide balanced, age-appropriate meals while children listen to their own hunger and fullness cues.

Appetite Changes Are Normal

A baby's lunch at six months may only consist of a few spoonfuls or small pieces of food.

As children grow, their intake naturally increases.

However, appetite can vary significantly from day to day depending on:

This variation is completely normal.

Focus on Balance, Not Quantity

Charlotte recommends offering:

The focus should be on variety and nutritional balance rather than encouraging children to finish everything on their plate.

Creating Positive Mealtimes

At Zebedees, we believe lunchtime should support both nutrition and positive eating habits.

Charlotte's message is simple:

"Provide the right foods, trust the child to eat the amount that's right for them."

By creating supportive mealtime environments, nurseries can help children develop healthy relationships with food from an early age.