My 15-month old daughter always wants to eat. She's always been in the 90th percentile for height and weight since birth and her growth has been steady - no large jumps. Her energy level is through the roof. She doesn't stop moving from the time she wakes up in the morning until she we put her down for a nap or nighttime. I don't think she'd ever sleep if we didn't make her!
She ate like a bird up until about a month ago. Now she eats like crazy and throughout the day she will regularly go to the refrigerator and whine or take a can of soup out of the pantry and bring it to me in between planned meal and snack times.
For breakfast every morning she eats oatmeal that I make with mashed bananas, applesauce, and raisins. She eats a portion about the size I would eat. After about an hour she's hungry again and will eat a banana or some yogurt & Cheerios. Lunch is usually some homemade soup with cooked brown rice or whole wheat pasta that I put in it. Or she has cooked chicken and vegetables or some leftovers from the previous night's dinner. After her afternoon nap she has a snack of maybe crackers with natural peanut butter or some black beans. She's ready for dinner by 4:30 or 5, so she'll have either soup again or chicken and vegetables. Then we eat dinner as a family about 6:30 and she'll eat again. She eats whatever we eat. She can eat a couple big scoops of mashed potatoes at a time, a few ounces of chicken and tons of vegetables. Before bed she always has a small snack such as a banana, yogurt, or some oatmeal.
I'm wondering if she's eating too much. I plan 3 meals and 3 snacks a day and she's hungry in between those times. Everything she eats is healthy, so I'm not worried about empty calories or junk food. She loves most cooked vegetables, so I try to give her vegetables if she's telling me she's hungry in between planned meals and snacks. She eats them up like she's never eaten before. I let her feed herself most of the time, so it's not like I'm shoving it down her throat. Should I refuse her when she's telling me she's hungry? If she goes to the refrigerator I can distract her for a little bit, but suddenly she'll just go back to the refrigerator and start whining. I always try to give her a drink first thinking she's just thirsty, but she wants food!
Any ideas and thoughts would be appreciated.
S.-My son is 14 1/2 months and his peditrician advices to let him eat as much as he wants...He says that at this age, they don't eat if their not hungry.
V.
S.,
Sounds like a growth spurt to me. My son has them-a couple times a year- and it seems like he eats, and eats and eats, and is still hungry. Then after a week or so, I can nearly measure the difference in his height. I don't think I would worry too much about how much she is eating, as long as you are feeding her healthy food.
I would try having her drink more water. Make sure she is getting plenty of water. I know of a girl who is 18 now and her parents and grandma always let her eat whatever and however much when she was little, (most of it was healthy food) she ended up a very over weight child by 3 years old and is still very over weight today. I would talk to your pediatrician about it too.
I wondered about that too with my little girl. At about 18 months she just began to eat so much and it was like she was never fed. It didn't last forever though, it turned out that she was going through a growth spurt. She didn't gain any weight just grew in height. Keep and eye on your little one and make sure her snacks are healthy. If she is healthy then I don't think that she will over indulge, she's just reacting to her body's signals. My daughter isn't constantly eating anymore but her portions are still close to what I eat. Keep up the good work.
My inclination is to not worry about it yet unless there are bowel issues to go with the eating, or the eating is emotion driven. Wait to see what shakes out in terms of a growth spurt. Hind sight being what it is, this may be perfectly healthy for what her body is requiring of her.
If after another month or so, nothing is changing except her weight, there is a Chinese yam that can tonify her digestion if that is what is called for. I am and acupuncturist and herbalist. I do not worry unless this is a long term issue, or if children are not eating. If she is eating plain yogurt on an empty stomach, that may help, just in case this is a yeast situation.
Also, there is gentle massage you can do on her lower leg, between ankle and knee. Very gently rub up and down. You will hit plenty of acupressure points to tonify digestion. This can be added into any gentle massages you may already be giving her. My son asks for 'ssages' every chance he gets and he is 9. We have been doing this for years and it is a nice part of our connection.
She's likely going through a growth spurt...her eating will slow down don't worry.
Sounds like my little guy, who is 14 months. I will give you the advice my pediatrician gave me. Their bodies naturally tell them when they are hungry, and naturally regulate their food intake. They are not like adults who have been trained to use food for comfort, celebration, etc. Sometimes, they go through growth spurts when they need a lot of food. Soon, she may decide she doesn't want to eat anything. Just make sure the foods she is eating are healthy (sounds like it) and that you are giving her plenty of protein (see your doctor for his recommended amount), and healthy fats (ie fat full milk, yogurt, PB, etc). It's best to just follow her lead as her body knows what it needs.
It sounds to me like you are doing everything right - if you are still concerned talk to your doctor. They will allow you do come in and do a weight check and talk to you about it. I wouldn't worry though. She sounds normal... and I think you are doing a great job. Once last thing... It doesn't sound like you are doing any of these things, but I just want to say the following for you and anybody else reading: If it seems like she is snacking because she is bored, or her eyes glaze over (or she watches TV), then she is snacking mindlessly and don't allow it. Don't offer snacks when she isn't hungry just to keep her quiet or from being bored (like, giving her something to eat at the store if she is fussing); don't use food as a reward or punishment(like no dessert tonight because you didn't eat your peas); make sure you aren't urging her to eat (ie she didn't clean her plate and you try to get her to finish it). In these circumstances, you are teaching her food has a purpose other than as sustenance and can cause her to become an overweight child and adult (even if it is healthy food).
Sorry, I just had to stand on my little soap box and mention this because many people don't realize how long reaching the impact can be from something as simple as refusing dessert as punishment.
She is bored. Try to engage an activity with the both of you. A puzzle or coloring.
Woah!
She's probably just going through a growth spurt. I had noticed though that much of what she eats through out the day is sugary; healthy, but sugary. The sugars digest faster. I recommend giving her like some string cheese in the morning, eggs ( I like brown eggs lots of good stuff in those) and maybe more meat, at least at meal time.
Sounds like she's eating VERY healthy! three meals and three snacks a day is normal. This is how both my kids have always eaten, although my kids have always been in the 20-30 %, so I always kept feeding them.
Toddlers need those calories, they are growing so fast! If you are concerned about her weight ask your Dr., but it sounds like your doing a great job with her nutritional needs to me!
Dear S.,
When I had my fourth, I visited with a friend of mine who has been a pediatric dietician for 20-30 years Stanford. She had recently helped author a chapter for a book written by a friend of hers, whose book is called Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense, by Ellyn Satter (Bull Publishing Co., 2000). I picked up a copy and was impressed by the wisdom that seems to be in it. Her general theme was that there is a division of responsibility for eating: "You are responsible for the what, when, and where of feeding. Your child is responsible for the how much and whether of eating" (p.304). Since reviewing this book, I have had 3 more children, and this seems to be good advice. Children go through a lot of stages, and their eating varies so much over time. It sounds like you are a terrific mom who is trying to keep up with a growing child. Keep feeding her sensible, whole foods, and her body with probably be fine. If you have concerns about it that won't go away, consult your pediatrician. Or get a second opinion from another doctor, or your husband. Husbands are a great source of feedback since they can sometimes see things so pragmatically in contrast to their wives.
Happy mothering....
L.
Sounds like she might be going thru a growth spurt. I wouldn't worry too much as long as she eating healthy stuff and not pigging out on junk food.
S.,
I would watch her eating patterns and write down how much and how often she eats. Also, journal about her reactions when you don't give her food. If this continues, I would cll your doctor (in a couple of months) and take your journal with you. This may pass. She may be experiencing a growth period. In any case, it's good info for the doctor to have should you have to see him about your daughter.
Hi S. -
I am new to this mamasource thing. My niece invited me to join. My daughters are both grown - 25 and 22. I have always been involved with children in some way in my life and work. I was a La Leche League leader when my girls were little and I taught Kindermusik among other things.
My guess is that she is going to go through a growth spurt. It sounds like you are feeding her nutritious food. My experience is, if you offer them just nutritious foods they will eat what they need. Just make sure she is getting protein and carbs at the same time. I have learned over the years (after years of being a vegetarian) that the body needs the balance of the two.
I haven't looked on the La Leche website in a long time, but I do know they used to be a wonderful resource for books about childhood nutrition among many other things.
Good luck. You are doing all of the right things.
You are feeding your daughter all healthy foods and if she is not overweight, feed her when she tells you she is hungry. Kids know their bodies and can tell you at an early age what they need.....just listen. Kids burn a lot of energy all day long, she needs refueling! Kids go through spurts where they eat a LOT and then they eat like birds. As the doctors always say, they will eat when they need to!
Sounds a little like my last child. He was always big as a baby in the 95% percentile and he seemed to always eat a lot. Unlike my other three children who were all steady 50%ers, he craved the fruits and vegetables which I was only too happy to serve. He even shunned some of the other, unhealthier, family favorites. Today he's 4, and a sturdy 70%. He still requests all the healthy foods, even the ones I don't care for myself.
So I'd say as long as she's eating healthy food, let her eat. It's probably a growth spurt. If at your next doctor's appt. she's gone up a few percentiles, discuss it with your doctor and plan to cut back.
It sounds like you feed her very healthy things. That's ok! Let her eat! She's probably growing. As long as you're not letting her have cookies and sugary snacks all the time, let her snack. My son is 4 and eats like that. I call him my little hobbit, because he eats breakfast and second breakfast and elevensies and lunch and luncheon...well you get the idea. I just don't let him have sweets for all these snacks. He's very happy with fruit or carrot sticks or cheese or yogurt. So as long as you just keep giving her healthy choices, let her eat! Especially if she's an active child.
It sounds to me like she runs as musch as she eats. I would think as long as you keep her with the healthy snacks, and she doesn't start having major jumps in percentages, it should be ok to feed her. Good job on giving her veggies and stuff. She might just be hitting a growth spurt, as well.
Sounds just like my daughter! As long as you are feeding her so healthy, just let her eat like you are. She probably is hitting a growth spurt and on top of already being a big eater, it can seem like a ton! My son and daughter are big eaters, 95% to off the charts in size, and when she hits a growth spurt, she will eat as much if not more than me. If she seems to be looking alittle skinny or just not ever getting full, then try to add in some healthy fats to her diet like olive oil or cheese on those veggies. That slows my daughter down a bit to get some extra fat calories into her during a spurt. Healthy food are always best, it's just that sometimes they can be alittle too low calorie for a growing toddler. Good Luck
Hi S.,
It seems that you offer pretty healthy choices for food and you may be concerned about establishing good eating habits now. Toddlers either seem to live on air (not eat much at all) or like yours eat tons! And moms always have something to be worried about! But here's a thought you may be curious to look into some more: Eat Right for Your Type. My son would eat a carbohydrate laden meal until he simply couldn't stuff another bite in his mouth. (He actually ate until it hurt) When I way increased his protiens he ate much more normally.
Well it's something to look into.
Good luck.
Y.
Go ahead and let her eat, this is the age where another growth spurt happens, so long as it is healthy and she isn't seditary, things are most likely OK.
