Is it possible to overfeed your toddler?

[alilang]

I?d really appreciate some advice. My lad (2.2yrs old) lad is pretty hefty. He's really tall (pushing 90cm) and weighs 17.5 kg.

I'm careful with his diet - he doesn't get sweets or chocolate or crisps, and I make sure that he has balanced meals and he doesn't make a fuss about eating vegetables (most of the time...). He has an icecream on the weekends sometimes in the park, but otherwise snacks are fruit or ricecakes or raisins and so on.

I don't limit the amount he wants to eat, but I don't make him finish his plate either.

He's just got this pot belly (which could just be being a toddler I suppose) and is generally a big boy ? most people assume he?s around 3 at least. I don't know if I should cut down on his portion sizes maybe? Everything I've read says to let them eat what they want as long as it?s healthy ? could I be overfeeding him? What do you all do on the food front?

No, you're not over-feeding him at all, alilang. All toddlers have pot bellies, in varying degrees.

There may come a time, (very soon now), when he hardly eats anything all day. If and when that scenario happens, I wouldn't worry about that either

At 17.5 Kg, he's certainly a big lad, but there's nowt wrong with that. He's just following his genetic blue-print.

Hi alilang-cant give you advice as such but that sounds just like my ds he is 2.5, 94cm tall and weighs 16 kg-he has a pot belly and his legs are huge and again like you I dont give him junk but he has a really good appetite.
I also think when better weather arrives he will run it off outside.
Try not to worry, I guess we're lucky they eat well!

Just a thought- How much milk does he drink?
You could put him onto semi-skimmed if hes a big milk drinker- I try to limit milk drinks to meal times only.
hth

Does he feed himself? If so, then I'd say no, not overfeeding. If you shovel the food into him yourself, then it might be possible (just like with breast v bottle in the early days).

Please don't cut down. He is growing rapidly and needs fuel!
Toddlers generally won't eat anymore once they have had enough.
All toddlers have pot bellies because their stomach muscles haven't fully developed yet.

TBH I think you are crazy to even be worrying about this at his age.
His diet sounds good.
Do you mind me asking- do you have issues with food yourself? Please don't answer if you don't want to, I just think we need to be careful what we pass on to our children.

You ARE lucky that he eats well. My ds is a fussy bugger, but like you I don't make a song and dance about what he eats - I just consistently give him healthy food and the occassional treat. He's higher up the centile chart for weight than height. Because he's big, it gives me more confidence not to offer him alternatives if he doesn't eat his healthy food.

I think letting babies and toddlers eat as much as they want teaches them about stopping eating when they're full up. I was made to clean my plate and lectured about 'waste'. As a result I struggle with my weight because I eat when I'm not hungry. Also, I comfort eat, so I'm trying not to use food as bribery, rewards or to cheer up ds when he's crying. (clearly not MY fault that I'm on the plump side!)

Thanks all, that's really helpful. I thought I was overanalyzing (bad habit of mine), but I do feel reassured.

I?m tall as is my partner, and genes will out.

He does love his milk, cathy5 and I was thinking about moving to semiskimmed, so that may be an idea.

mrsruffalo ? I don?t think I have food issues. At least, not anymore I hope. And I?m very self aware about potential problems I could pass on to my little one, so I don?t think this is coming from that place.

As suggested, I?m just going to concentrate on being grateful that he is a good eater!

It sounds like you are doing all the right things with his diet. Try not to worry. You def don't want to restrict his diet if he is hungry

Pot bellies normal rather than unusual in toddlers IME. DD is quite skinny (3.9) to the point that you can see her ribs but her pot belly is still there below them - think she is loosing it a bit now, but definitely at 2 it was pretty pronounced.

He is tall and heavy. He might even out or he might be made that way. DS was a chubby toddler (although not tall) and is now a skinny 7yo - has been skinny since about 5.

Not saying that you are overfeeding your ds but it IS possible to overfeed children. Some kids would just keep on eating until you actually took the food out of their hands! I think as long as they are pretty active, walk a lot and are generally on the go it shouldn't be a problem what they eat.

my ds also loves his food and got a pot belly? He weighed nearly 14 kilos at the beginning of december. He is a sturdy boy! Just happy he not a fussy eater