Hungry toddler????

Question

My 14 month old seems to eat ALOT. She's constantly hungry. She'll often go into the kitchen and just cry for food w/in an hour of eating a meal.

She's a big baby....been off the charts since 3 months in height, weight, and head circumfrence. The doctor always says her size is no room for worry b/c she's been consistent since she was born. At her 12 month, she was 28lbs and 33 inches.

Tell me if you think this is too much food for a 14 month old:

Breakfast: 1/4 (unprepared) oatmeal w/ 1/2 can lite peaches

handfull of cheerios

Morning snack: 1 1/2 graham crackers

Lunch: 3 lite vienna sausages (I know...gross..but she loves them), 1/2 cup greenbeans, 3 Tbs cottage cheese, handfull blueberries

afternoon snack: about 15-20 grapes

Dinner: 1/3 can of light progresso soup, 1/2 cup carrots, the other half can of peaches.

She has about 4 ounces of milk w/ brkfst, lunch and dinner then only water throughout the day.

Answer 1

I would talk to your pediatrician 1st.  But, maybe if you give her 1 cup vs. 1/2 cup of milk during each meal that would satisfy her hunger.

Answer 2

Your lucky! They are so active at this age and they use a lot of energy so I'd not worry too much and always have healthy snacks available for between meals.

Answer 3

The constantly hungry part isn't surprising. Children her age have small stomaches so they can only eat so much in one sitting. Small snacks throughout the day are common diets for toddlers. To me what she's eating doesn't sound too unreasonable for her size. Maybe you can cut her breakfast lunch and dinner smaller and increase the size of her snacks to see if that helps sustain her longer. Call her pediatrician and ask what they'd recommend for your daughter, or get in touch with a nutritionist.

Answer 4

My friends lil girl used to be like this, she used to eat so much she would vomit. She is about 6 now and still is the same way.

Answer 5

Amount of food seems totally reasonable, my only suggestion is if you are concerned with weight/nutrition substituting fresh fruits/veg will be MUCH better for her than canned. I know that can be expensive, if it's too much, try frozen, those are better nutritionally than canned. Good luck :-)

Answer 6

eventually she should grow out of it.

Answer 7

I think you have to plan the quality as well as the quantity of food. Don't serve her a lot of empty carbs--like graham crackers. Give her more veggies instead--it is more nutritious, and might help to make her feel full--because vegetables have fiber. Don't feed her oatmeal and then cheerios. That is just more oats. Vienna sausage is full of fillers and preservatives. Make her a little turkey burger, or ground chicken-something low in fat that doesn't have preservatives, and is a healthy kind of protein. Progresso soup is pre-cooked. I don't think many nutrients are left when you reheat canned soup. I think that, in order to nourish her body, you might make your own soup or stews. Talk to her pediatrician about putting her on a healthy diet, and tell your doctor she is always hungry. Your doctor should be able to guide you. Some kids just don't have that "switch" that says "stop eating." And best of luck to you. Enjoy your baby.

Answer 8

my little cousins always got in the fridge and ate jello or pudding but now hes healthy active he worked the weight off

Answer 9

She probably just has a high metabolism where her little body is just going through all that so quickly.  Also, try giving her some juice during the day instead of just water.  She may just want something with some flavor to it.