Mumsnet Talk

Wondering if any one else had the same problem?
My 21 month DS has always been a fantastic eater right from weaning, he will literally try any food, independently feeds himself and eats well, too well indeed.

I know this may not sound like a problem to some (obviously children not wanting the eat is a problem!) but my son seems to be constantly hungry!!! He will literally open his eyes in the morning and ask for a biscuit. He can easily eat 3 breakfasts (not that i'd let him!) He constantly wants to take off others plates, cries and whines at the kitchen door like a hungry puppy!

It seems to be getting worse recently. I feel awful refusing food when he asks for it but, he cant possibly always be hungry can he? I feel rotten saying no in case he genuinely is hungry!
He is a very healthy little boy, has always consistently been on the 50th centile for weight so no obesity problems.... YET!

He is given 3 good sized (maybe slightly bigger actually for dinner) meals during the day. Offered lots of fruit, healthy snacks in between. I purposely do not fill him up with 'empty calories' and as he will eat practicslly anything its not really a problem!

He is allergic to cows milk but, will take alternative milk with cereal but not from a cup/beaker. I do keep offering milk (before bed or in morning) but he will strongly protest and tell me 'no' ! Very rarely will he drink milk, since being taken off a bottle at 14 months. He does get lots of calcium from cheese etc.

Is he having me on? Or should i contact my gp?

Not an expert by any means but I do have a nearly 20 month old with a very good appetite and I'd say just let him eat!
Just so you can compare, my DS will on average get through,as an example,:
Breakfast - 1 slice toast or eggy bread plus 1.5 weetabix with milk plus fruit of some form (one banana, handful blueberries etc)
Snack - raisins/satsuma
Lunch - whole 2 slice ham sandwich plus slice malt loaf
Snack - cup of milk and fruit or biscuit
Tea- 2 large sausages, bit of mash, large spoonful mixed veg then fruit for pudding
Bedtime- about 400ml milk

He is by no means even slightly overweight. He is extremely active and enjoys his food. TBH I'd never get away without feeding him, he'd whinge the house down!!

Take him to the gp if you're worried, but I think some toddlers just need an awful lot of fuel!

DS is just 3 and he has always been a total gannet as well, he is very slim and active.

A typical day at home would be - bowl of cereal (same amount as I would have) and fruit juice. +/- a banana
10.30- second breakfast - crumpets or toast and jam or raisins
12.30 lunch a sandwich on 2 slices bread or a large bap with ham/cheese, tomatoes, a beaker full of grapes, an adult yoghurt eg fruit corner
Snack - whatever he can find
Tea - 2/3 fishfingers, oven chips, peas, fruit salad, cake.
Biscuit and milk before bed.

It seems that all the time his eyes are open, he is saying I'm hungry. He loves malt loaf too - shouts I want Soreen!

my daughter is the same. asks for food ALL THE TIME. She is 22 months. She is on the 98th percentile so I am a little concerned but she is on 75th for height so GP said not to worry just keep the food healthy.

but I still worry. I am trying to let her have only water, no juice...but she loooves juice. I try to cut out on the snacks...but she loves raisins,rice cakes, pretzels...and I do think she needs to eat little and often.

do your children still have a belly? baby fat? my daughters tummy and legs are huge and everyone said they will thin out after they start walking...but my daughter walked at 9 months and just carried on getting heavier and heavier.

I hate to limit her so I am more inclined to make sure she has enough running around. Its nice to hear that other little ones eat as much as mine.

Thank you for your comments, your childrens diets sound very similiar to what i give my son from day-to-day but he asks much more often than this

My son does not look overweight but, he does have a little potbelly without clothes but definitely not overweight!

I swear people (especially his doting grandparents) think iam cruel for ever daring to refuse food from him but, its literally every 20 minutes? I refuse to believe 20 minutes after a big hearty meal he could be hungry (this happened last night - he asked for toast after a huge bowl of stew !)

My son is also a juice monster. If he sees a bottle of juice he will whinge, cry, plead, beg for some! It gets quite tiring actually, an hourly battle.....

DD2 is 20 mths and too is a great eater. Confident non messy self feeder.

Will ask for fruit after every meal, regardless of its size! DD1 at 3 is exactly the same. They would just keep going sometimes if I didn't limit their portions.
They are both skinny things but healthy (take after DH) and at first the Grand parents though it was abit cruel but now realise that they arent hungry, just greedy!

As long as the snacks are heatlhy then its ok within reason. My two are constantly on the go so guess they must burn off their food quickly. DD1 doesn't stop talking to wears hers off from her jaw!

Juice isnt a problem here as they dont have alot of sweet things. They have water with dinner and drinks during the day. They have a tiny bit of juice but thats usually on special occasions. The odd hot choc etc after a play in the snow to warm up.