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Toddler at 2–3 years: sleep, eating and potty training

Stage: 2–3 years

Sleep

1 nap, phasing out towards the 3rd year

Feeding

Fixed pattern of breakfast, lunch, dinner and at most 2 healthy snacks; the child decides how much, the parent decides what and when. Appetite varies a lot day to day — that's normal; look at the pattern over a week. Eating together at the table without screens works better than pressure: 'do as I do' beats 'do as I say'.

Dairy: About 300 ml of milk a day (whole or semi-skimmed); water for thirst.

Nappy size

Size 5–6, 12–25+ kg — starting potty training can wind down nappy use.

Development at this stage

• Short sentences of 2–3 words; vocabulary growing fast
• Runs, climbs and throws a ball with aim
• Plays alongside other children (parallel play)
• Shows interest in using the potty
• Starts counting and recognising colours

Care & things to watch

• School: apply for a primary school (reception) place in the autumn/winter before your child turns 4 — the national deadline is 15 January. Check your council's admissions pages in good time
• Potty training: follow your child's signals (dry nappy after the nap, interest in the toilet), no pressure — most children are dry in the daytime between 2.5 and 4
• First dentist visit by now at the latest — NHS dental care is free for children, and just coming along helps them get used to it
• Brush twice a day; a parent brushes or finishes off until about age 7–8
• Vitamin D 10 micrograms daily until age 4 (and beyond in winter)
• Pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months: 4-in-1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio); the MMR(V) second dose is now usually given at the 18-month appointment (children born before 2025 get it with this booster instead)
• Screen time: at most about 1 hour a day, preferably together
• Consider playgroup or nursery as a social step — check your free childcare hours entitlement
• Sun safety: young skin burns fast — factor 30+, hat, shade between 11am and 3pm

Other ages: 0–6 weeks · 6–12 weeks · 3–4 months · 4–6 months · 6–9 months · 9–12 months · 12–18 months · 18–24 months · 3–4 years · 4–5 years