To think there's no way he can be hungry

[SlapACatFuckADuck]

Ds is 4 everyday we have the same discussions regarding food today for example he woke at 9:30 (didn't have nursery) we go downstairs i give him breakfast.

He eats all his breakfast puts the bowl in the kitchen and immediately wants lunch I of course say no. He then goes on continuously about how he "wants to eat" "I want lunch" "I'm hungry" "I want my sandwich" this has gone on for an hour and a half! when he gets lunch at lunch time the cycle repeats itself apart from it's not dinner because he doesn't like dinner he wants lunch as soon as he's finished his dinner the "he wants to eat" chorus pipes up again until bedtime where he will continue to go on about lunch until he falls asleep with the occasional check in that "you will give me lunch tomorrow right mum?"

I have no idea what his obsession is about lunch but inbu right? The kid can't possibly be hungry all the time especially after he's just eaten

[NewNameNotTheSame]

What is he eating? Does he eat dinner well, if not could be genuinely hungry by the next morning if he hasnt eaten much since the previous afternoon?

[RiverCambs]

Why not just give him more?

If he's having cereal for breakfast then he probably is still hungry. Cereal never fills me up - I need something carby.

Why don't you make him a plate of scrambled eggs on toast to see if he still says it after that?

TBH some days I could eat a horse

[19lottie82]

It depends what his breakfast is, you haven't said?

[curren]

My ds goes through phases where he hardly eats then he eats continuously for days.

My HV and doctor told me to wean him at 20 weeks because he was getting through 90oz of milk a day and they felt it was to much protein.

He could be genuinely hungry. What are you feeding him for breakfast. For example I don't find cereal filling at all. I would rather have nothing.

[NapQueen]

His breakfast needs to be more than just a bowl of cereal. Dd (4.4) has a bowl of cereal then a yoghurt, two pieces of fruit and if she is still hungry a slice of peanut butter on toast.

Breakfast should be a big filling meal to start the day.

[Pinkheart5915]

Could it be boredom? Does he have things to entertain him in the day take his mind off food?

He is growing so maybe he does feel hungry. Could he have a piece of fruit between breakfast and lunch?

And " you will give me lunch tomorrow right mum" is strange for him to say could somebody of said to him maybe if his playing up they won't give him lunch? Babysitter or grandparent maybe?

[FoofFighter]

Does he have snacks between meals too? What is a typical day's food for him? Has he always been like this or is it recent?

[NeedACleverNN]

Like river said.

He's probably still hungry

Dd on a bad day will eat a bowl of cereal

On a normal day may eat a bowl of cereal and some toast or a biscuit.

On a hungry day will polish off one-two bowls of cereal, toast, yoghurt and a fruit salad. She might even have a biscuit after that. It only happens occasionally so I don't begrudge her it.

[lornathewizzard]

It really does depend what he's eating. Of course he could still be hungry. Offer him something plain, if he goes for it, I guess he was hungry. My DD is younger but would eat all day given the opportunity

[purplefox]

If its just a bowl of cereal he's probably still hungry. If you think he's "obsessed" with lunch give him whatever you'd have for lunch for breakfast instead?

[AppleSetsSail]

Your post strikes me as a bit odd - I've always just carried on feeing my kids until they're not hungry anymore. Have you considered the possibility that his breakfast is too small? Are you feeding him cereal? What about eggs and toast?

[Oysterbabe]

What does he typically eat in a day?

[Stillunexpected]

How much are you feeding him? He certainly could be hungry immediately after breakfast if you haven't given him enough. Is breakfast just a bowl of cereal?

[PatriciaHolm]

If he's just had a small bowl of cheerios, he probably is starving. If he's had 2 poached eggs on toast with beans, not so much! So it entirely depends.

[nopel]

YABU if he's hungry then feed him. DS has cereal, fruit and rice cakes or crackers for breakfast. Dinner is the meal he is the least fussed about which is common for young children. Much better to eat must your food earlier in the day anyway.

[Blueredballoon]

I would definitely change the breakfast to something a bit more filling. My 2.5 year old has porridge, 1/2 slices of peanut butter toast and a banana most mornings- otherwise he's hungry again very soon after.

If he's saying he's hungry I'd just give him more food that's wholesome and filling!

[FankEweVeryMuch]

My similar aged son has 3 breakfasts some days. He's hungry after a long period of no food. What time does your DS go to bed? If he's going at 7.30 then that means he's gone approx 15hrs (assuming he eats an hour before bed) without food which is a very long time.

He probably needs a bigger breakfast,

[64PooLane]

9:30 I don't think my kids have ever slept as late as that. (Not a criticism, I'm just genuinely envious)

What time does he go to sleep though? Because that's a long night, assuming he's in bed before late evening. I wouldn't be surprised if he was ravenous.

Generally, it could be that he just has a bigger appetite than you've been assuming.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

You havent told us anything about what you are feeding him or whether he is big/ thin/ energetic, or anything. For all we know you could be giving him tiny meals and no snacks and effectively starving him! Bit more info needed.

[ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp]

Does he have regular snacks and plenty of water to drink? Maybe he's confusing thirst with hunger. They are growing so fast that a wee snack (ds loved oatcakes or crackers with cheese or peanut butter) in between keeps them going.
I agree cereal isn't filling and usually spikes blood sugars so some form of protein or dairy at breakfast as well will keep him feeling fuller longer.
At 4, my DS ate much more at breakfast and lunch with snacks in between. When he was tired by teatime it was more picky and less interest. So I often just gave him his main meal at lunch, a good afternoon snack and let him just have what he was able for at teatime.

[64PooLane]

Just re-read your post and noticed the - why? He's only four, and he's unlikely to be constantly banging on about hunger for the fun of it. YABU for that.

[AppleSetsSail]

9:30 shock I don't think my kids have ever slept as late as that. (Not a criticism, I'm just genuinely envious)

I certainly would have traded my right arm for a 9.30 riser when my kids were this age! My teenager is just now sleeping until about 9 on the weekends!

[ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp]

And yes I would say if he's asking and checking this much, it's pretty obvious he IS hungry, maybe you are still in the habit of feeding him the same things and not realised he needs more now?

[Xmasbaby11]

It's impossible to say without knowing what he's eating.

Dd is 4 and she's eating constantly at the moment. As in 1 or 2 snacks between each meal. She might have a cheese sandwich at 2 and then 2 bananas an hour later. I just try to give her fairly boring food so she's not eating for fun.

I wouldn't refuse a 4 year old child food.

[Xmasbaby11]

If he's not having breakfast til 9.30, no wonder he's hungry! Try a bigger breakfast. Dd often has cheese or eggs with her toast at breakfast.