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All of my dk's eat what I consider is a normal amount except for one, this little boy is 19 months and will eat as much as a 10 year old if not more! Im talking he has eaten 2 grilled cheese sandwiches, plus a serving of fruits and veggies and a slice of toast! He has eaten like this since he has been on table food, every meal. Snack time he will eat whatever amount I will give him unless he doesn't like it. He inhales his food and is done a full plate usually within 5 mins of sitting down. Now I feel like a toddler plate full of food, with 5 different selections because I am on the food program is enough, so I don't give him anymore even though he asks for it. Feeding him alone is expensive since he normally eats enough for 2 kids!
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Do we have the same daycare child
. I have a 15 month old who will eat and eat and eat if I let him like yesterday we had ham, mac n cheese, peas, and peaches I usually give about 3- 4 tablespoons of each thing he will always eat 2nds and 3rds I never allow him 4th's I think its way to much food after 3rd's plus his belly is always big after eating I know he is full he is getting to be a chunk too.
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He's just in the chowmation with dedication phase. Most kids go thru this at this age.
I would make him a one handed mitted long sleeve shirt and have him eat one handed. Change every day the side that is blocked (put it on him front ways one day... and then back ways the next) so he gets a chance to pick up food both left handed and right thru the week.
Slowing him down will give time for his tummy to tell his brain he is getting full. Once he gets used to eating slower he will just naturally do it.
Make his food into little tiny bits like the size of a pencil eraser and SPRAY them over his plate or tray. This way there is space in between each bite. Don't let him mountain them together so he can get a gianormous handfull. He will get his little pincer on and slooooooooowwwww down. Mealtime will be pleasant and he will get a good workout.
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I have kids like this too. I have a couple of four year old girls who come twice a week that eat like football players. I cut them off after what basically amounts to a second lunch.
Both four year old girls are considered overweight. SO, I probably should cut them off a little sooner. But, I feel bad. I don't want anyone hungry... especially since our afternoon snack is kind of lame.Comment
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I give seconds if they ask. An apple or a peanut butter sandwich. Nothing else. If they're really hungry they don't mind the limited selection. If they aren't really hungry an apple or sandwich isnt appealing so they decide they're done.
It does sound like your little guy doesn't have time to let anything settle though. I love nannyde's idea's. I do the small scattered bites all the time when transitioning little ones to table food.
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hey Nan, how come most of the kids have the same jackets? Do you supply them if they forget?Comment
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I have a little guy who turns 2 the end of this month and he is almost the size of my 4 yr old. Parents are 6 2" - 6 5". This little guy is a line backer in training. He will eat and eat if you let him. But what I do is give each thing one at a time in little pieces scattered all over his tray. Main food, veggies, then fruit..and if he eats all that then honey graham cookies. He tends to try and grab everything with both hands and stuff all into his mouth. He doesn't quite know how to use a spoon yet...need to get him on using that bc that would be easier on getting him to slow down. So he focuses on getting food on the spoon and not directly (hand to mouth). I have the same problem with him drinking his cups...he guzzles and makes the gulping noises even though I know he isn't thirsty...he just makes these noises every time. Any ideals on how to get him to slow down his drinking and guzzling??Comment
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Unless he is unusually heavy, I would let him eat what he wants. If he showed signs of a glandular problem, the parents would need to have it checked out, but if it's just normal development, let the kid eat!!
I, personally, would never bind any child's hand to prevent them from eating the amount their body needs that day.
Please check with the parents if you have a concern over the amount he is eating before you take any harsh measures.
Edited to add: If SPEED of eating is the problem, I would just give him smaller amounts at a time. He can have more, but don't give him a whole lot at once. And if it were me, I would probably remind him throughout the meal "slow down please".Comment
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Can you give him a spouted cup that only has two small holes? The more tension there is there the harder he has to ****. That will slow him down. If you aren't on a food program you could dilute his drink down a bit. The more watered down the drink is the more they will slow down. You could also give him water first and then follow with the real drink.
One of my dck's choked during this phase with the two fisted eating/slamming food thing when she was at home. She could do a bilateral tray scoop at the same time (scooping from outside to inside) and would put both hands in her mouth one after another. The poor mom was scared so badly. I taught her the long sleeved mitted shirt trick and she was SO grateful. She used it for a few weeks to get her to slow down.
Even though this is a tough phase it can be used for good and not evil. THIS is the time to introduce the harder to get to eat veggies and meats. They are so much more receptive of food during this phase that you can lay on some of the harder to accept veggies, meats, and high fiber grains.
One thing too to remember during this time is that they are so busy slamming it in that they have a short chew/swallow time. When you block off one side and have them do it one handed it naturally slows them down. This means the food in the mouth will stay in the mouth longer if they don't have another handfull coming towards the mouth.
If they are swallowing whole food they can have a lot of tummy upset and undigested food diarrhea. Getting them to slow down can help the whole chain of digestion. It only takes a couple of weeks to get them to see the value of taking the time to chew and enjoy the meal. As long as you are switching sides each day... at the end of the week they have used both hands the same as they would with double fisted eating.
It works really well.
Oh and the noises during eating. LOL I have one that says ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm with EVERY bite. She comes from a long line of cooks and knows some good grub. I get her food review the ENTIRE meal.Comment
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I agree with this. If this is a neurotypical child, there's really no reason to restrain his hands. I think that would be in violation of something. The child's rights if nothing else.Unless he is unusually heavy, I would let him eat what he wants. If he showed signs of a glandular problem, the parents would need to have it checked out, but if it's just normal development, let the kid eat!!
I, personally, would never bind any child's hand to prevent them from eating the amount their body needs that day. Please check with the parents if you have a concern over the amount he is eating before you take any harsh measures.
Edited to add: If SPEED of eating is the problem, I would just give him smaller amounts at a time. He can have more, but don't give him a whole lot at once. And if it were me, I would probably remind him throughout the meal "slow down please".
Check with the parents and ask them if they see it as a problem. If feeding him is getting expensive (I totally understand how that can be! I've been there several times myself.) then perhaps ask the parents to chip in food every week. I think most parents are happy to do that.Comment
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Love it!! For lunch I gave him a big boy sticky bowl with a grip spoon. He doesn't use spoons to often..just his hands to aid him so today he loved having a spoon and it took forever for him to eat but it def. slowed him down and by the time his food was gone he was very clean. Hands were not so messy and face and hair!! I also made sure that he had one food item at a time. He is ashually such a good eater. We are not on the food program but bc my family eats healthy all the kids here do as well. We love those steamers...you know the ones with broccoli and carrots with cheese and pasta? I also get the single servings of corn and veggies they sale at the grocery store. My kids love them...not to mention my family does too. Makes it simple to serve. As far as his sippy...he has the playtex long spouted cups that have 2 little holes at the top. It also has the stoppers inside to slow down drinking but he is still gusseling like he's downing it. Do you think I should take that part off? The kids are good about putting there cups back up on the table after they have finished taking there sips of it?...Comment
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Whats the general time to feel full? Is it still 20 mins?
I have always stalled the kids a bit with their meals. I know my ds is saying "i want more when I'm done" before he even eats what he has. So I say finish what you have first.
Then He says I want more please, and I stall for a few minutes.
I know when I eat slow, I eat a lot less and don't feel too full afterwards, whereas the faster you eat, the more you stuff in, and then about half hour later I am almost sick I've eaten too much and feel like my tummy is going to explode. I imagine this is no different for a kid especially considering the size of their stomach. The more you shove in, the more you stretch it out, the more you need to fill it next time.Comment
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I give fast eaters just a little at a time and make them wait for more since I'm eating too. It takes very little time before they get the idea and slow down or wait calmly. By age 1 I don't give them more until they sign for it and are not screaming.
I give all the kids only what is recommended by the USDA food program. They all know that they'll get more later at the next meal and they can always have water in between meals.Celebrate! :
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