My 2 year old son has always been pretty predictable as far as eating and growing. It seemed he ate a little more at his meals right before he grew a little. The past couple weeks though he has been either asking or signing to eat it seems all day long. He will seem to eat a good meal and then 15-20 minutes later he is asking for more. Have we taught him poor eating habits, is he not getting enough or not getting filled up, or is it just a phase? He did have the rotavirus about a week ago and did not eat the whole week so this week he has just been eating all the time! Thanks for any advice!
My son just had Rotaviruse as well and the doctors told me as he gets better he will eat more but that he will stop before upsetting his tummy and may ask for more shorlty there after.
My grandson will eat normal for a couple of days. then all of a sudden will eat all day. He's tall and skinny so I wonder where he puts it all. Babies will eat when they need extra "power" to grow. Just keep an eye on it
Hi, Kathyryn. I saw your email and just wanted to encourage you to keep an eye on him. As you said, it is most likely just a growth spurt or making up for being ill. However, coming from a family with a history of Type I diabetes, (my oldest who is 5 was just diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes in December 2006) and I've had it for 25 years, just be aware if his hunger continues and is accompanied by weight loss, excessive thirst, urination and tiredness, take him in to your pediatrician for an evaluation. Often a diagnosis of diabetes follows an illness (this is what causes the body's immune system to attack itself). Most likely your son is perfectly fine. You're a great mom to be keeping a close eye on him. If you feel like something is wrong, get your pediatrician on board! Good luck and feel free to email me with any questions.
Hi K.,
If he had a virus a week ago and wasn't eating, he is likely playing catch-up. My children (especially my son) used to go through this when bouncing back from an illness.
Aside from that, children will often eat more when going through a growth spurt. There shouldn't be cause for concern unless it continue for a long period of time. If that is the case, a Kinesiologist should be able to tell you if your son is assimilating his nutrients properly. Sometimes children continue to eat because their body is not absorbing the nutrients it needs.
Best of luck to you and your son! :)
Warm Regards,
Healthy Habits Wellness Center, LLC
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I do not think there is anything to worry about. My 8 1/2yr old ate almost non stop for the first 5 yrs. He is not over weight now.... His body was needing the food to help his growing process. Just make sure the food you are giving him between meals is not all junk food or sweets (cherrios and kix are always a hit).... Let him eat and if the time comes that you think this is being too much of a problem... ask a dr. I would not worry too much at this time.
He may need to be drinking water, he may be dehydrated, especially if he was sick last week. Get a small water bottle for him and keep replenishing it with filtered water as he asks for it.
Teaching your children to drink water is an awesome habit !
He might also have an upset stomach from being sick, some yogurt or acidophilus milke might help ???
L.
Maybe he needs more protein in his diet. Peanut Butter seems to stave off hungar longer. Research foods that are high in protien that he can eat and see if that helps. If he continues to hungary all the time then I would talk with his doctor and see what they say. Most of all. follow your instincts.
Do I know you? =) I'm sure it's just that he is making up for what he lost last week. I wouldn't worry about it.
In my experience, when a child is learning a lot of physical things - growing, learning coordination like running or skipping, bike-riding, etc. - they eat a lot. When they are learning mental skills - the ABCs, puzzles, reading, drawing - they don't eat as much, and then you worry about why they aren't eating much. It seems to go in cycles. Also, having been sick, he needs to regain what he had before. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
My son is the same way now that he is 2. He wants to eat all day long. I think it is a phase they go through. Just make sure you have healthy fruits and veggies to give him instead of a lot of crackers and cookies. He will be just fine and will be getting nutritious foods at the same time instead of gaining a lot of extra weight and all. My oldest went through the same thing as well. It is just the age and I bet he will be just fine. If you are really concerned, bring it up to the pediatrician in a phone question. That way your mind is put at ease even more. Both my boys go through it though. They are active and use up a lot of energy and so need food more often to get more energy to burn. Just make sure you make it the healthy foods that give energy.
That's the problem, lol! Kids are no where near predictible, even if they seem like they've been in the past. My two boys have always done the same thing, We expect children to eat like us........when it's appropriate but they eat when their hungry and sometimes it's all the time and others it's hardly ever. Whatever the case we as adults should actually eat the way they do!
I think sometimes after am illness they eat like crazy and make up for lost time. At two, you child is not likely to eat out of boredom like adults. If he says he's hungry, I would go ahead and feed him. Unless of course he is asking for junk. It's actually healthier to eat more frequently. I've experienced the same thing with my three year old. Some times she barely eats, other times she eats all day. She maintains a good healthy weight, so I figure it is just natural.
My kids have always had days where I couldn't feed them enough and then other days where I could barely get them to eat anything! Their bodies tell them what they need and don't need so just go with what they say usually!
Trust his hunger--my children go through times when they hardly eat anything and other times when they eat constantly. They seem to know what they need.
I wouldn't worry too much. Just a few weeks ago my son (20 months) had a stomach bug and hardly ate for a whole week and the next week he made up for it by eating everything. It is also pretty normal for kids this age to go through eating spurts as they are growing. My thoughts on snacking are as long as it's healthy and it isn't affecting how he is eating at meals, I let him have snacks. I do start cutting down snacks if my son isn't eating well at meals.
Good luck!
HI K.,
I wouldn't worry about it. My son does this a lot. He is just going through a growing phase. As well as catching up from being sick last week. My son will eat what it seems to be nothing for the longest time and then the next week or so I can't keep him full then he gets back to normal and he grows an inch or so. Like a said I wouldn't worry he is just going through a normal growing phase. You also may notice his belly sticking out a little more then usual that is also a sign of growing. When there organs grow they don't have anywhere to go but out and then he will shoot up and no more belly.
