Eating too much?

MommyToAshley wrote: DH thinks I might be over-feeding Ashley. I admit that she does eat a lot, especially at dinner time, but she seems like she is hungry. He is afraid it might just be out of habit or she might not know when to stop when she is full. He thinks that it might lead to eating problems later on. Everything I have read says to let them eat as much or as little as they choose. If I am late on one of her snacks, she will go to the kitchen and point to the fridge and ask for something (usually she asks for crackers, cheese or egg) She eats three meals and three snacks a day.

Here's an example of what she had in a day:

8:00 Breakfast:
Whole bowl of Quaker Oat Peaches'n Cream Oatmeal
Sliced Pears (equivalent to a whole pear)
Milk to drink (Only drank a few ounces)

10:00 Small snack
Some veggie crackers and cheese cubes
Juice to drink

11:30/12:00 Lunch
Whole Grilled Cheese
Mixed Veggies
Milk to drink (Only drank a few ounces)

2:30ish Snack
Cup Applesauce (Mott's Healthy Harvest with Peaches)
Water to drink

4:30ish Snack
Yogurt -- Fruit blends (Today she had strawberry banana)
Water to drink

6:30/7:00 Dinner
1/2 Grilled Chicken breast
Steamed carrots and broccoli
rice and gravy
milk for drink (Only drank a few ounces)

8:00 Nurse and bedtime

(She also snacked on a few cheerios here and there)

I know it sounds like a lot, but I don't want to starve her if she is hungry either.

mummy2girls replied: She is a very healthy eater... Jenna doesnt eat that much but thats because her appetite always goes down when she is sick and it takes her a while to get back to eating again.

I heard somewhere that kids will not starve themselves or over feed themselves. If they want to eat you should let them. They know when they are hungry and full. Its different if they are eating fast food and junk food all the time...

I think your doing a awesome job with feeding her so healthy.

kimberley replied: she sounds like she is doing great to me! i worked in the boys' daycare when they were small and that sounds about the same or even a little less than what we gave the toddlers. i agree you should feed them when they are hungry at this age. their brains need lots of energy for proper development and i am sure i would be that hungry too if i ran around like they do all day LOL

CantWait replied: I don't think it's too much at all. All the choices are healthy. As long as it's kid portions and not adult portions, and you're not giving her chips and cookies and stuff like that I think Ashley will have no trouble being a healthy little girl

ediep replied: wow!! What a healthy appetite!!! Jason doen't eat that much, but my friends toddler does! Don't worry, she'll know when she's full

jcc64 replied: Well, I have to say, it sounds like a lot to me, but that is strictly because Corey eats practically nothing. I agree that as long as the portions are"child sized", and that the foods you offer some nutritional value, then I wouldn't get concerned. It sounds like she has a very balanced, healthy diet. It cracks me up that we worry when they don't eat, and we worry when they do. She seems fine, Dee Dee.

aspenblue1 replied: It doesn't sound like she is eating too much.

MommyToAshley replied: At dinner, she eats almost as much as we do. Maybe she is tanking up for the night? The rest of the time she eats child portions.

LOL! I know, sometimes I laugh at myself for being such a worry wart. Being a first time Mom is a tough job!

3_call_me_mama replied: Cameron eats about the same amount s of stuff and at the same times, sometime he will refuse food after 2 bites and say no and push his plate away. He is very clear about what he wants and doesn't want and when he has finished with something. As long as she keeps eating healthy things like it seems she is I wouldn't worry, for the posts I've read she';s very active adn is most likely burning up all her calories that she eats. ( one thought- does she tell you when she's had enough? or refuse something if you offer, say a snack, without her asking for one? These are things our ped told us to watch for if we thought Cameron was eating too much. Which at one point we did think because a friend of ours has a child that is 2 weeks older and he eats NOTHING (except junk )and will only take milk for a meal. So often his meals consist of a hugh cup of milk, 1/2 slice of white bread, sometimes with jellly on it, and a couple ritz crackers! but he is quick to eat cheetos, cookies, etc)

MomofTay&Sam replied: Sounds like Ashley is a very healthy eater. Like everyone said she will let you know. Sammy will spit it out when he is done. It's wonderful that she eats for you. I have one who will eat and the other who will not. It's so hard sometimes. Your doing a excellent job Dee Dee.

MomToMany replied: I think she's doing just fine! It sounds about as much as what Hannah eats in a day. I wouldn't worry; she will let you know when she's full. I wouldn't resrtict her eating in any way; they know what they need ! She's a very healthy eater!!!

amynicole21 replied: WOW! That is great! It's got to be at least 3x what Sophia will eat I think Ashley's doing fine.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Wow if I could get Claudia to eat that much I think our Public Health Nurse would stop worrying about her! I don't think that is a lot of food, Claudia eats about half that in a day but she has always eaten small meals. I wouldn't worry, I think if you were forcing the food on her that would lead to problems and they do stop if they are not hungry!

Kaitlin'smom replied: I would say no Ashly looks good and healthy and if she is hungry let her eat! She is gonna be tall! Such a cutie! I love her eyes they are so beautiful.

jen replied: What a healthy little diet!!! WTG DEE DEE!!! I know how hard it must be to feed them healthy with everyone out there on the market!!!

coasterqueen replied: I think she's eating great! Kylie weighs more than Ashley and eats quite a bit less, lol. I know Kylie would eat like that if she wasn't nursing 24/7, lol.

You're doing fine I know how you feel though. Dh keeps telling me we need to put Kylie on WW.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: ITA with everyone else. The choices are healthy and she looks great. If she is hungry and will eat, then let her. Maddie doesn't eat 1/4 of that in a day. She just isn't a big eater. I worry so much about her, but I was the same way and survived.

DansMom replied: That doesn't sound like too much to me. It sounds about right for a toddler. If Daniel ate that much I'd feel happy about it.

jem0622 replied: Do not make eating an issue right now. Definitely not a good idea. Especially before age two and especially if your ped has no concerns. Once they are two you can start to watch fats and such.

You failed to list something. How active is Ashley? Big difference. Dad might only be seeing what she eats and not what energy she expends. They are so on the go right now. I really wouldn't worry. If she wasn't hungry at this age, then she'd tell you (say no or shake head no).

I am by no means upset, just trust me. My boys are known to eat like pigs but they aren't eating candy/cakes/kool-aid/pudding/jell-o/etc on a regular basis. They are big meat/fruit eaters. And Gabe loves his veggies.

Heather replied: I am jealous! I wish Alison ate like that! I think Ashley is just perfect as well! You have a great eating machine there! I was told kids this age do not need to diet! Let them eat as little or as much as they want! Especially, cause Ashely eats all healthy foods!! Great job Mommy!