Eating too much

[corinewmoon]

I am posting for my brother. His daughter is 2.5 , she is in the 97th percentile for height and weight. She seems to be constantly eating, and seeking out food. At meals she will eat whatever is put and front of her and not stop unless parents control the intake.Has anyone else had this experienced this, my kids like most seem to be pretty fussy so i find this a little bit unusual.

Both my kids were (DD still is!) like this. A close friend has three children who are also like this. None of the children are overweight now. My DD is 2 and has been at the very top end of the percentile chart since birth (at one point she was over the 100th percentile!). I was told by my HV that some children/babies are bigger and like to eat more and that as long as the food was healthy it was not a problem.

My DS who is now 5 was like this and we thought he was going to be huge and were really concerned as he was eating almost adult sized portions. Then one day his appetite spontaneously decreased (about 3.5yo ish). He still eats more than children his own age but he's now 50th percentile for weight and 75th for height. He is like a beanpole and we struggle to find trousers to fit him!

My (rather long-winded, sorry!) point is that provided children are eating healthily and exercising enough I think it's ok and they just even out as they grow older. That has been my experience and that of my friend.

HTH

If she's on the 97th percentile for both height and weight, then I'd imagine she's fine? I'd be more worried if she was on the 97th percentile for weight but only the 20th for height, for example.

Her ratios sound ok. Do you know whether she was fed on demand as a baby? If she was, then she's probably fine.

My DD is exactly the same - 2.5 yrs, about 95th centile for weight and height.

She asks for food all day every day. I've spoken to two HVs about it and they both say it is great she's a good eater! She's not fat, but I worry it could go that way as she constantly asks for snacks outside of meal times - basically always 'on the scrounge'. At times it can be hard to say 'no'.

This week the HV (who comes to see my DS, 8 wks) said to get a 'snack jar' and fill with healthy snacks. Let her choose what she wants and approximately when (within reason). When its gone, its gone for the rest of the week and no more 'snacks'. I'm trying this now. I think its a good way of me knowing what else she is eating outside of meal times...

My DS1 is 6 and was (last time I got him weighed and measured) around 98th percentile for height and 91st for weight. I wouldn't say he's always asking for food between meals, but he eats a LOT at meals compared to most kids I know. He doesn't look fat at all - obviously he's tall, and seems in proportion. Agree about letting your niece have healthy snacks if she seems hungry. An active child will burn off a lot of calories.