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eating question- if you have a kiddo who doesn't eat much

Mrs.CarlybellaMrs.Carlybella member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

how do you deal with kiddo asking for food at 'off' times.  B knows where his stuff is, and I am pretty good about not giving him cookies every time he asks.  However he just pointed at his cereal bars and wanted one-  and he doesn't eat much, and sometimes just crumbles them, but he downed it.  Then went to the fridge to ask for strawberries.  So I gave him some cheese instead and he downed one slice and asked for another.

now i know he won't eat dinner-  but i have a noneater who wouldn't just eat to eat (except maybe yogurt melts/puffs/goldfish) so since this is healthy stuff just go with it as he asks, or deny, deal with tantrum, and keep scheduled?

 

ETA:  my ped says to not encourage grazing, but i get so worried about intake and am not sure i agree that denying is the way to go

EDD with #4  01-20-14
Proud mama to a boys-  6/17/09 - a girl 2/23/11- and a boy 8/20/12

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Re: eating question- if you have a kiddo who doesn't eat much

  • StephanieDeanneStephanieDeanne
    I worry about DD getting enough food and she is a peanut too, so I personally would feed her if she's hungry and asks for it, and then still offer dinner at the appropriate time. 
    EDD: 01/08/10, Born 8 weeks early on 11/16/09 at 32w3d due to pre-eclampsia and partial abruption
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  • Geek_GirlGeek_Girl member

    Stop giving your LO snacks in between his snacks/meals and you probably won't have a problem.

    Here's a couple of links someone else posted that I found to be very helpful as far as nutrition goes -

    https://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/Toddlers.htm

    https://www.keepkidshealthy.com/nutrition/boosting_calories.html

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  • ljlkmljlkm
    I'd give it to him. Toddlers have tiny little stomaches and need to eat more frequently than you or I do. Besides, lots of little meals throughout the day is actually a healthier way to eat.
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  • mavilabride4evahmavilabride4evah
    I think it's a lot easier to say not to let a child graze and keep them on a schedule.  DD is not a good eater and also doesn't eat much.  When she does ask for food, I try to give her a meal even if it means pushing dinner up earlier than usual.  But if she asks for something specific, provided it is healthy, I will give it to her. I don't like the idea of denying her food when she's hungry since she won't eat regularly.
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  • Aprilynn0206Aprilynn0206
    I have the same situation and I feed her. I tried not feeding her and that just let to tantrums and a miserable child. When she is 3 I will worry about her eating perfectly at meal times. But she's freakin' 1 if the kid is hungry I'm feeding her.
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  • bim38106bim38106 member

    imageljlkm:
    I'd give it to him. Toddlers have tiny little stomaches and need to eat more frequently than you or I do. Besides, lots of little meals throughout the day is actually a healthier way to eat.

    I agree with this. At this age, they should be getting at least a mid-afternoon snack, if not also a mid-morning snack. It's not good for them to go that long between meals.

    DD1 is a VERY picky eater. She'll go an entire day where all she eats is a banana for breakfast and 1/2 a banana at dinner...and refuse every other food I offer at meals, or just take a tiny bite. So if she asks for a snack, I give her something healthy, provided it's not right before a meal. Usually I am for no snacks 1 hour prior to meals.

    FWIW, I was sooooo concerned about DD1's terrible eating habits that I talked her her pedi about it. He basically told me that as long as she gets 1 good, well balanced meal a WEEK, it was ok. She'll eat when she needs to and when she's hungry.

    Also, I was told not to stress over it and let it become a fight with them. Food intake is one thing toddlers quickly learn they have power over. So if you make it a big deal, they stop eating because they can and they see you're powerless over it. HTH :) I know it's hard having a picky eater!

    CP 3/07
    BFP 5/07 - Kylie born 2/08.       BPF 2/09 - Alexandra born 10/09.
    TTC since 8/13 - diagnosed difficulty conceiving due to LP defect. Took vitamin B and Vitex Berry to help lengthen.
    BFP 2/14 - Missed M/C found at 8.5 weeks. D&C at 9w2d. Partial Molar Pregnancy.
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  • emberlee3emberlee3 member
    I am all for feeding DS if he is hungry, but I try very hard to stick to a meal/snack routine most of the time.  I have actually found that he seems to eat better this way.  However, if he indicates he is hungry at an in-between time, I give him a small snack to tide him over until the next meal.  Otherwise, I have to deal with non-stop tantrums until he eats.
    DS born 8/8/09 and DD born 6/12/12.
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