Overeating? WWYD?

[daycarediva]

Here is my situation, I have a child in care, for nearly a year, age 3.5 now, that continually overeats. It didn't use to be an issue, I would stop him after seconds, he would pout, sometimes cry, and then be fine. Now that he is talking more, he is telling his Mom that he is SO HUNGRY and he only ate (insert contents of last meal).

It isn't a growth spurt, as it has been ongoing. Child is on the heavier side, in the 98th% for weight, around 40% for height. He is not fully potty trained and is outgrowing all pullups, Mom is now purchasing good nights, because that is all that fits.

I really feel as if the child has no full sensation. He is given a LOT of milk at home, in between and with meals, and he always needs to be FULL, kwim? He is also allowed to snack/graze at home (eg. fruit snacks in between a meal/snack)

Yesterday he ate:

8am- 2 generous slices of HM banana bread, 2 whole bananas.

11:30-2 grilled chicken wraps, 2 servings of broccoli, 3 servings of carrots (and not SMALL portions, either)

3-2slices of honeydew, and a cup of goldfish crackers

Went home at 4:30 and according to Mom, he was whining in the car at pickup that he was hungry, (solved because Mom keeps snacks in the car, so he had cheese crackers) and throwing a full fledged tantrum for food by 5. They HAD to stop at fast food on the way home because he could NOT wait for dinner.

I was busy and stumped, I just told her that I serve him double what the food program recommends for his age, and that if I were to give him 3rds, the other kids wouldn't be able to have seconds. She left in a huff, of course.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would say exactly what you did. Feeding him any additional food beyond SECONDS would really just be unhealthy and there is no need. He will be just fine and not starve to death in your care eating more than an adult would eat.

[CraftyMom]

That's more than I eat!

You're only required to serve him his portion plus seconds. I wouldn't give him any more than that. I would explain to mom, as you've done, that he is not starving, he is given plenty. If she wants to take it up with licensing you would be doing your part by not contributing to his over eating.

Mom is enabling this over eating... and stop for fast food before supper?

Are the parents over weight? Maybe he's modeling their eating habits.

[cara041083]

I would have told her what you said, and If she says something again about it, I would nicely explain to her that if she wants you to give him more, then she will need to pay for it. I would document (you may already do that but Im not on the food program so I don't know what all you have to do ) Then I would give it to her at pick up and show her everything you feed him so she can't go back and say you didn't feed him, and explain to her that your concerned that he never feels full. There are alot of things that could cause that sensation, and If it was my kids I would have already had him to the doctor to have him checked.

[preschoolteacher]

I agree you're doing what you should. Maybe tell mom that if he must eat more than twice the recommended amount that she can provide extra food for that purpose?

[Laurel]

He is probably getting plenty and you are serving him good food.

However, I used to be a commando low carber and met one lady on a forum who had sooo much trouble losing and also said she didn't seem to have an 'off button' where food was concerned. She had a very interesting case. She'd post exactly what she ate for months and no one could figure it out. Finally, after much experimenting, she finally got her button to go off. She had to go almost no carb. Even milk in her coffee triggered her 'button'. It was so very weird.

I'm sure yours doesn't have anything like that but it wouldn't hurt to reduce his carbs and give him some protein with every meal and snack. I'd put peanut butter on his banana, give him yogurt with fruit rather than crackers, a hard boiled or scrambled egg instead of the banana bread, etc.

Even though bananas and yogurt are not really low carb (I have to keep reminding myself I'm not commando anymore or even a low carber per se : it would be what I would do for a while. More fiber would be good also and whole milk over 2%. Remember Playcare said drinking full fat milk helped her be less hungry in another thread?

I am reading a book now by Bob Harper my favorite exercise guru (of the Biggest Loser fame) and he says "Eat protein with every meal or be grouchy."

Laurel

[Cradle2crayons]

That's more than I eat!

You're only required to serve him his portion plus seconds. I wouldn't give him any more than that. I would explain to mom, as you've done, that he is not starving, he is given plenty. If she wants to take it up with licensing you would be doing your part by not contributing to his over eating.

Mom is enabling this over eating... and stop for fast food before supper?

Are the parents over weight? Maybe he's modeling their eating habits.

exactly. I will NOT for ANY reason serve a child more than their APPROPRIATE serving and a small seconds. PERIOD. I don't care what the parents do. Obesity is a huge issue. And I'm not going to contribute to it in any way.

Children that are over fed from very early don't show hunger cues. That prettymuch proves the parents have been over feeding since he very beginning.

[NightOwl]

Do you send home daily sheets that say what he ate? I would go as far as taking a picture of his meals so that she can see he is eating PLENTY. That much food would feed 3 kids! And I would encourage a doctor's visit. Provide her with a copy of the normal serving amounts for his age so that she sees the vast difference in what is normally consumed and what he's consuming. To be frank, this kid's eating habits is costing you money. It's literally like feeding at least 3, instead of just one.

[debbiedoeszip]

So long as you are confident that he's receiving adequate calories, then I'd offer him water (it can be temporarily filling) instead of more food, and keep him very busy with fun activities (in case he's become used to eating when bored or under-stimulated).

[MarinaVanessa]

Can you substitute one item with protein? I see that at lunch he had chicken and that may keep him full for a bit but can you give him protein during his snacks and for breakfast? Protein keeps you feeling not hungry longer. H

[CraftyMom]

Also, I've heard that often times when someone feels hungry they are actually thirsty and don't realize it, leading to eating when not necessary to fill the void. From what I hear this is often the case with over eaters who rarely drink water. Perhaps he needs to drink more water?

[Kelly]

Is he on target developmentally? There is a genetic condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome which causes the child to always feel hungry, but it usually also includes developmental delays.

[Leigh]

If a child this age is seriously overeating, he needs to see a doctor (I'd find a specialist). There is likely a good reason that the child feels so hungry.

[countrymom]

sounds to me that he's also eating out of boredom. I would only serve the appropriate size and thats it. If he's hungry tell him to go and play with something. Also, why is he not potty trained.

[sharlan]

I would suggest more protein and less carbs, more water.