Fridge tantrums- this is a new one

[greenhouse]

Sigh... It's only Tuesday. 15mo DCB has started screaming in front of the fridge and pulling on the doors until he is red faced, in tears. It's like he has a hole in his tummy. He ate all his lunch, fruit, and had a snack 30 min ago. I wish my kid had his appetite. Do any of you have locks on the fridge?

[Heidi]

I am rather suprised my 15mo twins DONT do this. As soon as I start cooking, pandemonium!

[youretooloud]

I would never put a lock on my fridge. My kids all learn that they will eat again at the next meal, and they can scream til their throat hurts. I will not get them food just because they cry.

But, I would never, ever allow a kid to pull on my fridge doors. I have one of those bottom freezer things, and I had kids who would yank on it, just because there's a handle, and it cost me $400 to replace the tracks and seal because they loosened the door after a few months.

I'd calmly move him to another part of the house, and let him cry.

[sharlan]

Could he be thirsty? Have you tried giving him some water.

My 3 yo would do that when he wanted a drink.

[greenhouse]

Could he be thirsty? Have you tried giving him some water.

My 3 yo would do that when he wanted a drink.

He has access to water all the time. He just loooooves to eat.

[SilverSabre25]

if you want my honest opinion I'd say he has a food allergy or lactose intolerance, something like that. If he is screaming that badly that he's hungry, and he does it on a regular basis, I'd say that his tummy is hurting. His immature brain can't differentiate between "hunger pain" and "OUCH! PAIN!" so he thinks he's hungry and thinks needs to eat to relieve the pain.

[Nellie]

If it is new a new problem(he has only been doing it a few days) maybe he is going through a growth spurt. Some of my kids and a few daycare kids ate more at that age than at 3 or 4. Was he offered seconds at lunch?

[Ariana]

Personally I'd give him food if at all possible. I have crackers on hand for when kids say they're hungry and they've eaten their scheduled meal. If he's going through a growth spurt and he's eaten all of his lunch then why not! Did the lunch have protein? Protein can make them feel full longer as well.

[familyschoolcare]

I agree that if it is a new problem it is most liekely a growth spurt. However, even if it is a new behavior he could have a disorder that makes it difficult for him to feel full ther are several.

[sahm1225]

I would just move them to another part of the house. They know the schedule (they eat every 2 hours) and crying in between isn't going to get them anything extra when it's not meal time.

I have a few little ones that will start trying to eat their plates if I don't keep refilling their plates!

Their are days that they are hungrier than others and I will feed them more those days. I would not tolerate screaming and trying to open the fridge, that is just asking for everyone to want a meal in between snack and lunch! But I would offer them water or even milk if I think they really are hungry. Then during meal time I will give them an extra helping of vegetables or fruit to help fill them up.

I always feel bad denying food (makes me worry they will grow up with eating disorders because I said NO to their 3rd helping - ha ha!). But since I've been doind daycare I have noticed that alot of kids turn to food when bored or thirsty, so I do deny food in between meals.

good luck!

[Tin Blues]

Sounds to me like it's something his parents have allowed him to do at home. Check with his mom or dad and see if they're opening the frig and letting him point to what he wants.

[newtodaycare22]

I have a lock on my fridge because licensing requires it. May not be a bad idea

[countrymom]

I would remove him and increase his meal. I have a dcg who we call the vacuum (even mom does) she's almost 3 and this girl can eat, she is skinny and healthy she has a fast metabolism. So I always give her a bit more. Do you feed him breakfast, if not I'm wondering if he's coming hungry.

[greenhouse]

Just wanted to follow up-he is well fed and I never deny food. I did give him some crackers once he calmed down. I was thinking about what triggered the tantrum and at the time my son had just woken up so I was having a little cuddle with him on the sofa. I think dcb wanted special attention.

[nannyde]

I don't allow kids in the kitchen so I haven't ran into this before.