I babysit a 7 yr old that weighs 58.5 pounds and.....

Question

i babysit her monday to friday during the summer round 7am til 2pm and she always is asking me for food should i feed her every time she asks??? Yesterday she had toast round 7 she was coming around 9 and then round 10 she was hungry so i gave her cherries and then still hungry so i told her to wait till lunch then she had a sandwich for lunch, still hungry, then i gave her some tater tots, didn't eat them all cause they were "gross" and she was still hungry. she is the same way with her mother(my sister) and i dint understand she does this every day no matter wat she eats, i need ideas to feed her can you please answer all theses questions or at least try to......Thank you so much!!!

Answer 1

There is nothing wrong with her weighing 58.5 pounds. My daughter is 7 and weighs 64 lbs and is 4'1" so she is not overweight at all and is very active. She never sits around and watches TV she is always playing. And kids are a lot of time just always hungry they are always growing. One thing I do for mine if they have had enough to eat (I allow seconds) then I have  them drink a glass of water and wait 20 to 30 minutes and if they are still hungry they can have something healthy. Sometimes you just feel very hungry and if you eat fast it does not have time to fill you up. The water helps with this and kids need water as well. But generally kids should have 2 snacks in addition to 3 meals a day at this age. Just ask her are you really hungry or are you bored. And a child will be hungry again sooner if  they are just hollow calories (is what I call them) meaning not a substantial or appropriate meal.

Answer 2

well if i only had toast i would be hungry in an hour. Cherries would help till lunch. But it she had just a sandwich for lunch i would still be hungry to. Were supposed to have around 2,000 calories a day, try giving her healthy snacks, and if your worried about her weight try playing with her outside so she could have so me physical activity.

Answer 3

I think you should talk to the parents.

Answer 4

I would suggest a breakfast with more protein such as bacon and eggs or sausage. A full-filling breakfast with lots of protein will keep her full longer. If she is eating from boredom this should help because she will have a full feeling in her stomach and her mind will think of other ways to cure the boredom.  

Answer 5

she may not be hungry, it can be other things

given the fact her weight is average (depending on height) as long as she isn't overweight its ok for now

ask what the hungry feels feels like.  maybe she has a stomach bug or a parasite

or maybe shes bored and its just something to do.  pack a lunch and lots of snacks and hit the park for a day.  I can guarantee she wont ask for as many snacks!

last idea-doctors to test for parasites and her nutrition to see if she is metabolizingizing properly!  

Answer 6

This is a question you should ask her parents, not strangers.

Edit -- well, she's either truly hungry, hungry because of a medical condition, or saying she's hungry when she's actually bored.  Toast isn't a great breakfast.  Maybe try adding a little protein into her breakfast to carry her over longer.  Also consider allowing her as much fruit and veggies as she wants throughout the day, but limiting other foods to designated meal and snack times (it is normal for kids that age to have 3 meals with two snacks in between -- just make sure that most of the snacks are healthy).  If she's still hungry all the time, consider getting a doctor's opinion (constant hunger can be a sign of medical conditions).  And also consider distracting her with fun activities in case she's just asking to eat because she's bored.

Answer 7

she may be bored keep her busy

Answer 8

Today my 4 year old ate:

8am cornflakes

10am 2 pieces wholemeal toast

11am 1 apple and 3 bananas

12pm ham sandwich made with wholemeal bread, grapes and pkt crisps

3pm one biscuit

4.30pm potatoes with fish

Before bed he will have a snack also.

Try giving her a banana. They are very filling and they release energy slowly throughout the day. I don't think you should be worried though. I don't think she's eating a lot.  

Answer 9

How do you know how much she weighs?  My daughter weighs 55 pounds and there is no way she is overweight or anything like that.  So are you saying the kid is overweight and maybe you shouldn't be feeding her snacks?

A snack at 10 am is normal for a girl that age.  Especially if she only has toast for breakfast??  Also, just a sandwich won't fill up anyone.  Try feeding her a normal diet and she won't always be saying she's hungry.  Try serving her lunch with applesauce, yogurt and chips.  Or a sandwich with cheesestick, fruit and chips.  Something with it other than just the sandwich.  And tator tots are gross, especially if they're not cooked right.

For snacks, fruit is a good idea.  Maybe offer the cheeries with cheesestick or crackers.

Also, many kids get hungry when bored, and many get hungry when they are really active.  Give her plenty of water and milk to drink too.

Answer 10

maybe do something with her so she isnt thinking of food

take her to the park

if shes hungry offer her fruit and only fruit

if shes that hungry she'll eat it

theres nothing wrong with her being hungry, she wont die just because she cant eat when she wants

expect a few tantrums but she'll get used to it

and when shes older she'll be greatful

Answer 11

feed her large meals at meal times. make sure she sits there until it is gone.  do light snacks in between.  she is probably going through a growth spurt.  don't give in on snacks and all day eating eating just meals and one snack inbetween.