Why does total caloric requirement generally rise when a child moves from infancy into toddlerhood even though kcal/kg declines?

Because the child’s absolute mass and typical physical activity increase, raising overall energy demand despite a slower growth rate per unit weight.

Because metabolic rate per cell increases dramatically in toddlerhood, so more kcal/kg are required which directly increases total calories independently of size or activity.

Because breast milk and formula are replaced immediately with higher-calorie beverages, causing total caloric intake to rise whether or not body size changes significantly.

Because toddlers binge-eat by nature and therefore always require more kcal/kg than infants despite having smaller bodies.