My ds seems like he will eat until I stop feeding him

[wfabby]

Strange problem, but I think my ds will eat just because I put food in front of him.  How much is too much?  He weighs 24lbs, which is about the 75% for his age at his yearly mark, but since then he has started eating like a maniac!

He can finish an entire banana, pear, or whatever piece of fruit I give him on top of his regular meal.

Example, today he had for breakfast a whole grain waffle and a scrambled egg-for a snack he ate a banana and slice of toast with cream cheese and jelly and lunch was a pear, some ham (from dad's lunch) and because of a time crunch I had to give him a jar of Gerber 3rd dinners, chicken and something.  He didn't ask to stop at lunch and if I had more pear he would have continued.

He also has had 4 oz of water and 14 oz of whole milk (by 2:00).

Too much?  Not enough?

[*Kimberly*]

That is a lot of food but your lo is not overweight.  I think I would let him to continue to eat within reason and just make sure he is not getting too heavy.  I think that you are doing a great job at feeding him healthy things and that is awesome. 

Kimberly

[RachelC]

He could be in a growth spurt too.  You may see it slow down soon.

[mrsrobbo]

Bradley has times when he will eat and eat and eat, then he hardly eats anything for a few days. he is in the eating stage at the moment. He weighs 28lbs but he is pretty tall. So far today he has had 9oz whole milk, oatmeal for breakfast. he had a snack around 10am of raisins and apple. He had a ham sandwich for lunch with a yogurt and some more raisins (he loves them). he slept for a couple of hours, he wants a banana now but its almost dinner time so he cant have one yet.
Don't worry about it, your ds is not overweight he eats healthy too. I prefer it than worrying that they arent getting enough food

[wfabby]

I guess I don't know if I should set the limit or let him?  When he is done eating he will usually give me the "up" signal by putting his arms up in the air and saying "d" (done).  but if he doesn't do that and the food is gone, do I give him more? 

[mrsrobbo]

I give Bradley a normal sized portion, if he askes for more (he has just learnt this word) I give him a little more. Like you though, it seems like he is just eating and eating, i'm sure its his favourite hobby! Usually though he has a little more and then I say "all gone" and take him away from the table to his toys or whatever and he is fine. I know then he has had a good meal, he isnt likely to starve! Occasionally though he has a biscuit with his milk before he goes to bed, but not every day

[*Kimberly*]

I know with my lo, who will eat like crazy some days, we have a time limit of sorts.  Meals take a half an hour.  At that time he is done (unless there are special circumstances).  That may work for you.

Kimberly

[binxyboo]

Sounds to me like he is doing a great job of regulating his own intake. In general, Riley is not a huge eater, but every now and then he will have these crazy days where he will not stop eating and I take advantage of it while I can!

[wfabby]

Life was much less complicated when I could just do baby food

[wfabby]

My dh gave Jake sauerkraut and some liverworst the other day and he actually ate it!  I wasn't thrilled, but I guess it is fine. 


Jake is the same with fruit as Kaleb.  He can be stuffed but if I show him a pear or banana...it is in his mouth! 

I only worry because as a kid, my dh was "chunky", not fat but for sure on the big side.  He is normal now, but he used to feel terrible about it and to this day is constantly worrying about his weight.  In our society, it is so tough and focused on weight, even for boys, I want to raise Jake to be healthy and active and not think of weight all his life like his dad.

My dh and I don't do deserts other than maybe yogurt or a frozen fruit bar, but I don't ever want to make Jake feel like something is restricted.

OK, now I am rambling.

Thanks for everyone's input!  Like I said, baby food was much easier!

[debo620]

ok, my son eats ALOT too, also seems like I could feed him forever.  My DH was heavy as a kid aswell. I think the main thing in his house, which won't happen in mine, was an over abundance of pre-packaged snack food.  When I was a kid, the only snacks we had were carrot sticks and homemade cookies, bannana bread.  I also learned at a very young age, about having food from all 4 food groups.  I find I can't get away from this when I am preparing meals for us or for when I am preparing even a simple lunch for Noah.

So that is the plan,  offer food from the 4 food groups, and limit pre-packaged snack food....I'll think he'll be fine and not an overweight kid.