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Original poster

Fed up with toddler obsessed with food

58 replies

Passthedyson · 02/03/2020 20:29

Not his fault I know that but I can’t cope anymore now.

3yr old been obsessed with food since about 15 months.

Eats well three wholesome meals and snacks and fruit.

Wherever we are he wants food and begs all day long. If we are at a party he reviews the food and won’t play. Soft play we can’t go anymore as he grabs strangers left overs.

When out at meals will have a tantrum to eat other people’s plates while they are mid meal. Can’t go to most playgroups anymore as they have food out and he just asks for more more more more.

We don’t give sugary snacks as it seems to make things worse. He is on 95th for weight looks slightly chubbier than average but not obese.

Tried giving more protein at snack time (already eats balanced meals not fussy enjoys veg etc) made no difference and possibly worse as just wanted more cheese all the time.

HV said carry on as we are and let him scream once it’s gone but I’m drained now as food is everywhere we go.

OP posts:
Original poster
Passthedyson · 02/03/2020 21:04

Thanks will look at the book I’ve not heard of it. Yes we stay at home a lot more now as he is not very active either even at the park asks for snack :(
I’m getting worried about nursery and not making friends due to this behaviour it puts other children off playing as he wants their food.
I don’t want him to get an issue over food but I have to say no because it’s excessive.

OP posts:
Wannakisstheteacher · 02/03/2020 21:03

My 6 year old is like this at the moment. It's exhausting. I find my self feeling disgusted by how he wants to eat all of the time. Last night we were having supper - sausage and mash - I had a phonecall, so left the room for about 2 minutes and he ate my entire meal as well as his own by the time I got back. Then about 20 minutes later he was crying saying he was so hungry.

Napqueen1234 · 02/03/2020 20:59

@Passthedyson my DD is 2.5 and exactly the same. Top of the centiles and obsessed with food. Worse as they get older and get invited to toddler parties with buffets as she just hangs around them the whole time. All you can do is distract distract distract, set very clear rules of meal times and not give in inbetween. Have you read the Ellyn Satter approach? A book called ‘managing your child’s weight helping without harming my really helped me. It’s exhausting and makes me want to stay home as it’s easier to manage there.

Original poster
Passthedyson · 02/03/2020 20:57

HV said it’s common but I was thinking of going to GP. Not sure if they would do a blood test based on behaviour. He will eventually stop eating when full but takes a huge amount. Wants to keep the food he has left on plate for a while messing around before finally giving up.

Biscuits / cake I’m sure he would never stop. He grabbed handfuls from the tin when out at groups and I had to remove him.

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Original poster
Passthedyson · 02/03/2020 20:54

@marreb it’s so tough isn’t it. I’ve never met anyone else with this issue in real life and they all say I’m lucky to have a good eater.

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Curiosity101 · 02/03/2020 20:38

I'm pretty sure there are genuine medical conditions where people are hungry all the time? I know he's only little but it might be something worth looking into?

If he was just whining / whinging / tantruming whilst you were out and about I'd wonder if it was behavioural. But based on him actually trying to eat other people's food and leftover food it sounds like there could be more going on.

Not sure if it'd mean much but how much milk was he drinking before you weaned him? And did you up his bottle size every time he drained the bottle? Or did you use other cues?

marreb · 02/03/2020 20:38

@passthedyson my girl is 21 months and exactly the same!

Original poster
Passthedyson · 02/03/2020 20:35

First thing in the morning asks for food, tries to snatch brothers food every meal time.

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