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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Waking up in middle of the night for food

8 replies

fridgemonkey · 30/04/2008 14:16

My DS (2.4), has not been eating very well following a nasty bout of D&V.

His appetite is slowly coming back, and he's starting to eat more during the day. However, for the last couple of nights he's woken up and demanded toast at 1 am in the morning.

I'm a bit wary to deny him food as he has actually lost weight, but I'm not sure that I should be getting into the habit of feeding him in the middle of the night.

Should I let it go on for a bit longer or nip in the bid? (and deal with the almighty tantrum that will ensue....)

Any opinions/advice welcomed.

fMx

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gingerninja · 30/04/2008 14:20

If this is out of character I'd be tempted to give in for a few days and see if it rights itself. Would he eat a sandwich (ie so you can pre- prepare and leave at his bedside)?

TeeBee · 30/04/2008 14:21

Suspect he wouldn't sleep well if he was genuinely hungry. I always used to leave a few cream crackers and a drink of water by the bed when my eldest went through 'hungry at night' stages and tell him they are there - hopefully you won't get woken up then. He doesn't wake up now for food.

amidaiwish · 30/04/2008 14:32

i would feed him, but not toast.
toast is too nice, all warm and buttery! i could eat freshly made toast in the middle of the night.

what about something like a banana? easy for you to leave there, and easy to eat, filling, etc... but not so tasty that he will start to look for them for comfort.

i'd also look for something he can help himself to so it doesn't become a bit of comfort/attention from you in the middle of the night. (and i have a 2.6 year old who still has warm milk in the middle of the night, pure comfort/attention!)

Umlellala · 30/04/2008 14:37

Dd (2) can have a rice cake or breadstick - she isn't usually keen, so she only eats if really hungry - if she wakes 'hungry' at night, especially if she hasn't eaten much during day. I get really hungry if awake for longer than 10mins at night, espesh around 4am so I do sympathise with her.

orangina · 30/04/2008 14:37

My ds (1.3) had d&v bug a month or so ago, kept nothing down etc. Afterwards, he was RAVENOUS for days after, and started waking in the night for food. Was starving. Fed him (milk only) for as long as his giant appetite continued during the day, and when his day time appetite tapered off, I didn't feed him at night any more.

fairylights · 30/04/2008 14:38

i have had the same problem with my ds (18 mo) although better now, i did end up giving him a LOT of milk in middle of night and think i should have just given him a banana!

orangina · 30/04/2008 14:38

Banana a good idea!

Original poster

fridgemonkey · 30/04/2008 15:07

Thanks all - some good ideas there to try food such as bananas, crackers that don't involve me getting up as well.

He's a contrary and stubborn little so and so, though, (aren't they all) so I suspect I'll be getting the toaster out for a few nights yet! The other problem is, I can't resist having some myself......

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