Too Much Food For A DCG?

[midaycare]

Have a 17 mo dcg with no apparent "I'm full" filter. She's always been over 100% for height and weight. Just looked healthy but lately she's looking chunky monkey.

I serve until she stops eating. She eats 2-3x what my 3 year olds do. In half the time.

This morning she had 1 full banana, full glass of whole milk, 2 huge pumpkin bran muffins, which I estimate at 300 calories apiece. My older kids are 1/2 of a muffin and 1/2 a banana. So dcg had probably 850 calories this Morning! And she wanted more!!!

It doesn't matter what I make, she'll eat anything. Poached eggs? She wants 4. Turkey sausage? Yes please. Fruit? 3 servings. Veg? More and more!

I am trying not to treat differently but thinking maybe I should??? Just offer one serving and then cucumbers and carrots maybe?

Help me know if I'm overreacting. I have a bit of an issue about weight/always super focused on it. I try really hard not to let my crazy out onto others.

[Snowmom]

I know there are some providers who feed and feed until the kids say enough, and that's perfectly fine (within reason of course). I'm kind of the opposite.

This might be because my grocery bills are already astronomical and I spend nearly $350 a week just on daycare food. But, I'm not willing to give twice-three times the amount of regular serving sizes every day.

If it were me: I'd be serving a healthy serving size for each component. If they want seconds; vegetable (or fruit if no vegetable is available) only. No extra carbs or dairy.

With the weight issue: I might (and I stress might) ask their parents how they feel she's doing growth wise, but I just feel like it's a parental issue to deal with (unless you suspect abuse of some kind).

[rosieteddy]

I would definitely give only the correct serving size.Maybe start out with water for everyone then half portions.Then when she finishes that give the rest of the appropriate serving.I would try to stretch out the time between first serving and rest of meal.In the beginning hide the extra so she won't see that there is more.Her tummy is probally stretched out and feels not full.I even started making mini muffins.That way the kids felt like there was more.I also would offer water between servingsat the meal.You are right to address this.Being overweight for a child is hard.

[Blackcat31]

I know there are some providers who feed and feed until the kids say enough, and that's perfectly fine (within reason of course). I'm kind of the opposite.

This might be because my grocery bills are already astronomical and I spend nearly $350 a week just on daycare food. But, I'm not willing to give twice-three times the amount of regular serving sizes every day.

If it were me: I'd be serving a healthy serving size for each component. If they want seconds; vegetable (or fruit if no vegetable is available) only. No extra carbs or dairy.

With the weight issue: I might (and I stress might) ask their parents how they feel she's doing growth wise, but I just feel like it's a parental issue to deal with (unless you suspect abuse of some kind).

This is how I do it as well. I serve the required portion size and offer fresh veggies for seconds if they are still hungry.

I also allow seconds IF there are any but I am careful to not allow the same kid to be the one that always gets seconds. I allow for other slower eaters to have the opportunity as well.

I usually have my fast eaters take a minute to digest and wait until the next person is done eating before asking for seconds.

IME, it's common for kids that age to not have the "full filter" so we need to teach them when to stop eating.
If I recall correctly, your brain takes up to 15 minutes to catch up with your stomach and tell you that you are full so I'd just start limiting the amount you give her and call it good.

[midaycare]

I know there are some providers who feed and feed until the kids say enough, and that's perfectly fine (within reason of course). I'm kind of the opposite.

This might be because my grocery bills are already astronomical and I spend nearly $350 a week just on daycare food. But, I'm not willing to give twice-three times the amount of regular serving sizes every day.

If it were me: I'd be serving a healthy serving size for each component. If they want seconds; vegetable (or fruit if no vegetable is available) only. No extra carbs or dairy.

With the weight issue: I might (and I stress might) ask their parents how they feel she's doing growth wise, but I just feel like it's a parental issue to deal with (unless you suspect abuse of some kind).

Parents are awesome, cook healthy, home cooked meals. And I cook pretty darn healthy myself. Between the two of us dcg is definitely getting her veggies and fruit.

Dcg just likes to overeat - so quick story. Hubby comes home and fixes himself a quick piece of chicken with broccoli about 5:00 pm. Dcg is here until 5:05 pm. I ask Hubby to come downstairs for a sec and he says, "Not if dcg is still there! She will try to take my food!" And she will!

I don't want to mention to mom and dad that she's starting to look chunky. It seems rude, and for all I know, dcg will start to thin out. But I think I need to be a little proactive.

I've just started counting her calories this week while here and I was like... Maybe I'm part of the problem! I've just always been taught that kids have a "I'm full" feature that is built in.

[midaycare]

This is how I do it as well. I serve the required portion size and offer fresh veggies for seconds if they are still hungry.

I also allow seconds IF there are any but I am careful to not allow the same kid to be the one that always gets seconds. I allow for other slower eaters to have the opportunity as well.

I usually have my fast eaters take a minute to digest and wait until the next person is done eating before asking for seconds.

IME, it's common for kids that age to not have the "full filter" so we need to teach them when to stop eating.
If I recall correctly, your brain takes up to 15 minutes to catch up with your stomach and tell you that you are full so I'd just start limiting the amount you give her and call it good.

So like today for lunch...I'm serving cauliflower mac & cheese, guava, and green beans. So one toddler serving of mac & cheese, 1 guava, and unlimited green beans?

[Mike]

I'm not sure what to suggest, but if it helps, here's my story.

I was my parents first child and was born at something like 6lbs and a few ounces. I was "smaller than average" and my parents, being new, were worried, so they made sure they fed me. It worked. At 6 months, I was chubby. Visitors would be like: "He's so cute. Look at the baby fat." I don't know about now, but back then baby fat was a thought to be a good thing. Meant I was healthy.

Well, when I wasn't a baby anymore, I was still FAT. My parents decided to cut back on my meals. Good luck on that. It never happened. The earliest years I can remember food, I loved chocolate, sugar and cheese. When I started school, I was FAT, not overweight, but about 100 lbs overweight. When I was 13, I weighed 250lbs and I had to squeeze through smaller doors, like bathroom stall doors. I also had only 1 friend all through school. Everyone else either ignored me, or more often, bullied me and picked on me. Most of my school years were miserable because I was fat.

Later in life I started working on that and am now generally happy with my weight. I'm now about a foot and a half taller than when I was 13, and about 25 lbs lighter. I have a bot of a potbelly, but won't ever get rid of it because it's not much, and it's very useful. In my babysitting years I've had multiple kids sitting on my lap or beside me and use it as a pillow, :: and in I even use it sometimes when picking things up, like yesterday. I picked up a large storm window to lay down flat on a table to paint. My potbelly makes for a good brace to let it down slowly.

Main Point:
My parents let me get fat, then couldn't undo that, and my childhood was ruined and caused damage to the rest of my life.

[Blackcat31]

So like today for lunch...I'm serving cauliflower mac & cheese, guava, and green beans. So one toddler serving of mac & cheese, 1 guava, and unlimited green beans?

Yep. Pretty much.....but not really unlimited green beans... just another serving or another serving and a half but served to her slowly so that her stomach has a chance to tell her brain that she is actually full and satisfied. You'll probably have to take into account that her stomach is stretched and she is a novice at listening to her body so she may not understand right off... but she will.

Offer her water as well... it's not only a great filler but helps with digestion so definitely useful for her!

Understanding serving sizes was probably one of the biggest shockers for me and my DH when we changed how we eat... It's astounding how we (society in general) view a serving size in comparison to what a serving size actually is.

Are you on the food program? If not, I have tons of charts I can share with you in regards to what a proper serving size is for her age.

[hwichlaz]

I'd also cut her liquid calories. A serving of milk for her age is 4 oz. never give more milk. But always give as much water as they want.

https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/cacfp/CACFP_childadultmealstandards.pdf

Lunch for a 17 month old
4 oz whole milk
1 oz meat (think half a piece of string cheese)
1/8 cup fruit
1/8 cup veggie
1/2 oz of grain or 1/2 slice of toast

[midaycare]

I'd also cut her liquid calories. A serving of milk for her age is 4 oz. never give more milk. But always give as much water as they want.

https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/cacfp/CACFP_childadultmealstandards.pdf

Lunch for a 17 month old
4 oz whole milk
1 oz meat (think half a piece of string cheese)
1/8 cup fruit
1/8 cup veggie
1/2 oz of grain or 1/2 slice of toast

1 oz meat...oh my word, this dcg could eat 10-12 oz plus sides. Thank you for the guide. I've never really laid attention because all my current and past dcks just pick at their foods.

[midaycare]

Yep. Pretty much.....but not really unlimited green beans... just another serving or another serving and a half but served to her slowly so that her stomach has a chance to tell her brain that she is actually full and satisfied. You'll probably have to take into account that her stomach is stretched and she is a novice at listening to her body so she may not understand right off... but she will.

Offer her water as well... it's not only a great filler but helps with digestion so definitely useful for her!

Understanding serving sizes was probably one of the biggest shockers for me and my DH when we changed how we eat... It's astounding how we (society in general) view a serving size in comparison to what a serving size actually is.

Are you on the food program? If not, I have tons of charts I can share with you in regards to what a proper serving size is for her age.

Thank you for the info Yes I am on the food program - I just generally don't pay attention to portion sizes with the kids because my past and current dcks barely seem to eat!

[midaycare]

I'm not sure what to suggest, but if it helps, here's my story.

I was my parents first child and was born at something like 6lbs and a few ounces. I was "smaller than average" and my parents, being new, were worried, so they made sure they fed me. It worked. At 6 months, I was chubby. Visitors would be like: "He's so cute. Look at the baby fat." I don't know about now, but back then baby fat was a thought to be a good thing. Meant I was healthy.

Well, when I wasn't a baby anymore, I was still FAT. My parents decided to cut back on my meals. Good luck on that. It never happened. The earliest years I can remember food, I loved chocolate, sugar and cheese. When I started school, I was FAT, not overweight, but about 100 lbs overweight. When I was 13, I weighed 250lbs and I had to squeeze through smaller doors, like bathroom stall doors. I also had only 1 friend all through school. Everyone else either ignored me, or more often, bullied me and picked on me. Most of my school years were miserable because I was fat.

Later in life I started working on that and am now generally happy with my weight. I'm now about a foot and a half taller than when I was 13, and about 25 lbs lighter. I have a bot of a potbelly, but won't ever get rid of it because it's not much, and it's very useful. In my babysitting years I've had multiple kids sitting on my lap or beside me and use it as a pillow, :: and in I even use it sometimes when picking things up, like yesterday. I picked up a large storm window to lay down flat on a table to paint. My potbelly makes for a good brace to let it down slowly.

Main Point:
My parents let me get fat, then couldn't undo that, and my childhood was ruined and caused damage to the rest of my life.

I was also a fat child. When I was 12 I turned exercise-happy, working out for 4 hours a day and living on 2 cans of vegetable soup. My mother allowed this because she hated I was fat.

I've had issues with food/weight ever since.

It's also why I came here for support. I can't ever trust my intuition when it comes to food.

My ds is slightly chubby - maybe 10 lbs, but he works out at taekwondo 6x a week, 11.5 hours. He eats healthy. So I just kind of shut my mouth. I don't want him to have body issues like I do. But he tells me he wants to be skinny like the other boys. And he isn't even fat! I mean, he's not even in a chubby pa t's size or anything. He's just not stick thin like most boys his age.

[hwichlaz]

I wouldn't limit her to the FP serving size for her age at this point. It would be mean, she'll still feel hungry and it'll hurt.

I'd start with the appropriate serving, and allow full seconds of everything because that's still a reasonable amount for her age. But I wouldn't give them all at once, I'd give her seconds of one thing at a time, and take my time doing it. Never seconds of milk. Only her 4 oz, then water.

[midaycare]

I wouldn't limit her to the FP serving size for her age at this point. It would be mean, she'll still feel hungry and it'll hurt.

I'd start with the appropriate serving, and allow full seconds of everything because that's still a reasonable amount for her age. But I wouldn't give them all at once, I'd give her seconds of one thing at a time, and take my time doing it. Never seconds of milk. Only her 4 oz, then water.

That's a very good point!

[Leigh]

I might suggest to parents that they discuss the eating with a specialist. Prader-Willi syndrome can cause a kid to never feel full and they just want to keep eating and eating. There could be several medical reasons for the child's hunger-I wouldn't bring up the child's weight, just say something like "XXX seems to never be full. I've kept a log of what she has eaten in the last week (and show to parents). I think it could be a good idea to have her assessed by Dr. XXX at XXX clinic to make sure that there isn't a medical reason for her hunger or a problem with her not absorbing nutrition properly. If there is no medical issue found, I'll feed her however you wish me to, but I'd feel better knowing that there isn't something going on inside that is making her feel so hungry".