Which to choose? Nap or feed a toddler?

[GG]

DS takes forever to eat, especially in the middle of the day. I try to start as soon as possible but sometimes I just don't give him the hour or so (yes! 1 hour) to eat - sometimes we go out or simply get busy - so it cuts into his naptime.

What would you do? Put him down for a nap or try feeding him?  I usually chose the food but if I wait too long to get him to bed he's too wired and doesn't fall asleep.

[¤ Efka ¤]

For times like these I try to stock my fridge with yogurt , to spoon it in and off to bed.

[Layla]

I would probably chose nap over food. Isabella actually does quiet well with not eating lunch & it has not once affected her nap length. She has a HUGE breakfast, then a pretty big snack at around 10ish & that seems to be enough for her & she is just not hungry for lunch. Maybe he's not hungry enough... I mean does it take him as long to eat breakfast or dinner?

When she wakes at 2ish - she's ready for lunch & we still manage to fit dinner in at 5-5.30ish

hth
Layla

[GG]

Oops... I should have given more info.  His nap is around 1 pm. It takes him a long while to fall asleep and he sometimes it takes him SO long to fall asleep that he wakes up 4 pm or later.    He wakes up in a horrible mood (again, I presume he's hungry).

He eats very little breakfast: a few bites of toast, a handful or two of cheerios, and approx 6 oz of milk. Sometimes, rarely, I'll give him a snack after breakfast if I feel he's had almost no breakfast or if lunch isn't ready and he's upset because (I assume) he's hungry.

Oh, and he used to LOVE yogurt but I guess he tired of it.   I finally see a tooth poking through (1 of 2 canines that are making their way between the molars and incisors) so I know that's one of the problems but when can I stop using teething as an excuse?

[¤ Efka ¤]

I guess you answered your question, he should get something fast to eat, preferably something you can feed him, this of course if he lets you.

[GG]

*sigh* darn touchy kids

I guess I'm looking for assurance that I'm doing the right thing and making the right assumption but I guess I have to trust my instincts until he's old enough to really speak for himself.   This is such a freakin' tiring job.

[¤ Efka ¤]

 

[dkjokisch]

Lunch is part of our pre-nap routine, so I usually can't get away with skipping it.  When we are home, we just have an early lunch at 11ish to allow plenty of time (dd is a slow eater as well).  When we are out and about and really running late, I sometimes give her a snack in the car, and when she asks for lunch when we get home, I play dumb and say the snack was lunch.  When served her favorites she usually eats faster, so I try to keep those around for days we're behind schedule as well.  Either way, if I have rushed lunch, I always make sure to allow time for a big snack after nap.