how much will you let DC eat?

hilwithonelary · December 2011

DS's eating habits are all over the place. Some days he hardly eats anything, and some days he packs it in.

Tonight, we had garlic pasta, chicken, and broccoli. He didn't care much for the chicken (not unusual), but he devoured the pasta and broccoli. After he first helping, he asked for more. I gave him about half of what I'd orignally given him. He ate that and asked for more again. I again gave him half of his original portion. After he ate that, he once again asked for more. He also started playing with his milk sippy instead of drinking it at this time, so I didn't think he was really that hungry anymore. I didn't give him another helping. I was afraid of him making himself sick. Once, we let him keep eating and eating when we had spaghetti, and he was up all night long. You could feel how full his belly was, so I think he truly overate and didn't feel well because of it.

When (if ever) do you cut off your DC from eating?

momofmanyinthemitten · December 2011

I don't cut her off. She eats a ton, but is still in the 10% for weight. However, I do make sure she's had a bit of everything before giving her seconds of the food she really likes.

kcl22 · December 2011

I've never had to cut him off. He lets me know when he's full by throwing his food at the dog

bekah22587@hotmail.com · December 2011

My 16 month old DS will eat till he throws up. So I feel his belly to see how hard it is before I give him anymore. However if after a few mins away from the table he is still "asking" for food I will give him some more.

bumpuser260585 · December 2011

kcl22:
I've never had to cut him off. He lets me know when he's full by throwing his food at the dog

This

MrsMommyQ · December 2011

DD usually eats a lot and would often keep going, but then she gets bored and just wants to get out of her high chair. As long as she's eaten what I deem a fair amount, I let her down.

Also, I've come to realize that DD eats 1 "big" meal a day and the other 2 are smaller. Breakfast is always small, so either lunch or dinner with be pretty big. Today lunch was huge and dinner was 2 bites of pizza, a bowl of mixed veggies and about 5 crackers with peanut butter. DD knows where the snack cabinet is, so I don't worry about her too much. She knows how to tell me she's hungry.

As far as your DS eating a lot some days and not other days--that's normal. Think about it, you have days where you are hungrier than others, right? So does he.

shootingstars00 · December 2011

Our pedi said let her decide how much she wants to eat. So I do not restrict her. Sometimes I don't know how she packs in it but I don't stop her.

yaeger16 · December 2011

kcl22:
I've never had to cut him off. He lets me know when he's full by throwing his food at the dog

This.

aribs2010 · December 2011

I have to cut off LO if we have mac n cheese. She will eat it until I stop giving it to her. If she wants 3rds, I give her fruit or veg instead. I let her eat anything else until she is done.

ASmallWonder · December 2011

Beanie_mrt:
I would never cut him off. Children this young won't overeat.

I'm going to have to disagree with this completely. Eating quickly often leads people, children and adults alike, to eat more than their bodies can handle because the body hasn't processed the food already eaten so you don't realize you're full. And I can't believe that a child wouldn't try to eat more of something they like even if they're not "hungry" just like as an adult I'm sure you try to squeeze in your favorite dessert or just one more breadstick even though you know you could stop and be satisfied.

OP, I don't really cut him off often but if I think he's wolfing down too much of something and isn't truly hungry, I try giving him something else. If he refuses it then I can be pretty sure he isn't asking for more out of hunger and then I feel ok calling the meal done, kwim?

abs05 · December 2011

I do have to cut mine off sometimes. She loves food and would eat all day long if I let her. She consistently eats more than I do, and will eat until she throws up. Yes, she had mspi and still has reflux, but when she overeats she throws up immediately. Reflux vomit happens later.

That said, if she still is acting hungry then I will give her additional veggies or fruit. If she throws them off the tray then I know she isn't really hungry, she just waned more goldfish.

I, too, always thought babies/toddlers wouldn't overeat...but then I had a baby that certaintly will. I would never starve her, but I DO have to watch her consumption.

ANJ410 · December 2011

For the most part I would never discourage my LO's from eating as much as they want, however, if they went for 2nd and 3rd helpings and I knew they were going to get a bellyache, then yes, I would cut them off.

BelhurstBride · December 2011

I never cut her off. If she's willing to eat I let her go for it.

kg_08 · December 2011

I try to never cut her off because she's so small and needs the calories, but there are certain times when I KNOW she's had plenty that I make exceptions. Probably in your case I would have given him some chicken to see if he would eat that. If he was really still hungry he'd try it....

I do often give DD second helpings on things though... and her belly is hard as a rock sometimes and I feel bad.

thumper57 · December 2011

both my kids eat a lot.

DD eats at a moderate pace and chews her food so I don't worry about her shoveling it too fast. I take away her food when she starts playing with it.

DS inhales his food. I don't limit his food intake, but I often reminder him to slow down and chew thoroughly.

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