5 year old secret eating?!

[Frozenheart]

My lovely 5 year old DD has always been a very good eater ever since she was weaned.
The last couple of months, I have come downstairs to find my fridge and cupboards raided. All of this is being eaten before I wake up in the mornings.
Yesterday, her morning raid consisted of:

6x small petits filos yoghurts, 1x dairylea dunker, 1x apple and 1x satsuma.

This morning, she ate 6x more small yogurts, 1x packet of wotsits and 3x plain tortilla wraps

We always make sure we have filling, healthy meals during the day, but the words ”im still hungry still come out after finishing her meals and when we put her to bed!
In reception class last year, she was weighed and measured and it later came back to us that she is overweight. This wasn’t a surprise to us, as she has always been ahead of ages in clothes for her age. and her dad and I aren’t the slimmest of people!

So my main question is, would any see this as a cause for concern and to contact the gp? Is there anything we could change?

Sorry, meant to add no judgement from me. I mention thirsty as everything she is eating is quite liquid based or juicy.

I can't help you with the eating thing but just wanted to say, I was always up alone for at least an hour on a weekend, often longer, from about the age of four (I didn't sleep and was usually up by half four). I just got up and watched TV or read a book. Nothing happened and I've grown up to be a normal human being. You know your child and you know she'll be fine

@Goldbar you’re in knots writing contradictory posts, you wouldn’t do this. You’d feed your dh. But it’s okay for op child to be unsupervised if parent is listening out. How can parent listen out for child if they’re asleep. Child has already learned no one comes. They’ve probably stopping seeking parent out. This is an issue, it’s impacting upon health. It’s a safeguarding issue eg neglect

I am a very laissez-faire (lazy) parent, but even I wouldn't leave a five-year-old alone for that long. And I currently have a five-year-old. Ten to fifteen minutes, tops. She's far too young, really. They still need their Mum or Dad so much at this age. You and your DH should be taking it in turns to get up with her. Even if you follop on the couch once you're up, at least you're physically there.

Diet-wise, less sugar and more protein is probably the solution. Porridge, a boiled egg, toast and peanut butter etc.

Ds is 5.5, I was sat next to him 2 weeks ago when he began choking on a piece of plum. It was the single most terrifying moment of my life and he sobbed for hours after because he was so scared that he couldn't breathe.

Even prior to this, hes been allowed downstairs alone but has always been instructed to wake us before he goes and he's not allowed to eat anything before one of us is there - max 10/15 mins later (usually wakes around 6ish)

Is that not just part of parenting?

Higher protein and less sugar and check portion sizes and introduce a snack before bed - and make sure she has access to water.

You can sort this OP but it might not be overnight. I'd try a small bowl of healthy cereal or toast with egg and a glass of milk before bedtime.

Take turns at the weekend to be up with her and get her a drink and breakfast. Try to ditch some of the processed snacks and give actual cheese cubes and crackers, proper pieces of fruit, carrot sticks and cheese dips. When making dinners try to keep some things like a few bits of chicken or a few meatballs, or whatever you are having, to one side as snacks for the next day. I think a lot of what you are giving is not filling but quite high calorie. Instead of a few little pots, give her a high protein yoghurt with some berries or soft fruit. Just keep making changes and hopefully she'll stop shouting about being hungry. It's better to give her a bit more of the meat sauce with her bolognaise than her scoffing a pack of petit filous.

You've mentioned she has a tablet of her own already. This is very young for something so sedentary. Not sure what to suggest if you have already gone down this route. Get up with her. Early morning walk, reading, lego etc?

Ds is 5.5, I was sat next to him 2 weeks ago when he began choking on a piece of plum. It was the single most terrifying moment of my life and he sobbed for hours after because he was so scared that he couldn't breathe.

That must have been terrifying Q

Can you look up some more filling foods, Maybe things like Egg and cheese, and offer more of that for snack. I feed my kids lots of rice cakes with their snacks such as fruit and yoghurts as they’re filling without having much to them.

My son eats constantly. He’s fairly thin, but goes through food like no ones business. However I’ve noticed that he’s always moving so I suppose he’ll be burning lots of energy.

My son always has a drink and snack before bed unless we eat dinner late

@Orangejuicemarathoner what, so if my daughter goes to school saying “I go downstairs and watch tv while mummy sleeps” it’ll trigger a safeguarding issue? I know for a fact there are children at her school who actually have safeguarding against their names / social services involved with their families for more serious things than a child being downstairs watching tv while I am asleep, but okay…..

@Blufandango

I can't help you with the eating thing but just wanted to say, I was always up alone for at least an hour on a weekend, often longer, from about the age of four (I didn't sleep and was usually up by half four). I just got up and watched TV or read a book. Nothing happened and I've grown up to be a normal human being. You know your child and you know she'll be fine

But OP's DD clearly isn't fine if she's eating all that food without her parents even realising it's happening.

It's not normal for 5yos to be left unattended for so long that they can eat that much food on a regular basis.

It's great that you sat and watched TV or read a book (I did the same at a similar age) but OP's daughter isn't doing that so she clearly needs some extra supervision.

I'm sorry to pile on too, but you really need to get up in the mornings. You seem to not be hearing this. You keep saying you leave food out for her, but she's not a cat!!

Stop being lazy, set an example and get up.

Is she having lots of protein in her diet? Some of the snacks foods are not very filling

@DeborahAnnabel but people are being very judgemental on the fact that you let her down to watch tv

No. People are being judgemental about the fact that a 5 year old has 2 hours of unsupervised and unlimited access to a kitchen. The most dangerous room in most homes.

Quite the controversial thread here OP

I second the first poster's advice to get fridge and cupboard locks.

I'm quite surprised you didn't think of it.

From my own observation of my body, I discovered its the carbs that spiking my hunger, I will eat big bowl of porridge and within 2 hours I will be starving. but if I eat more protein and healthy fats I am fuller for much longer and don't crave snacks.

Maybe it's worth checking your daughters blood sugars, big disproportion in sugars can cause craving carbs and sugary foods.

@scully29 no I get up before her om school days.

@DominicRaabsTravelAgent

Ds is 5.5, I was sat next to him 2 weeks ago when he began choking on a piece of plum. It was the single most terrifying moment of my life and he sobbed for hours after because he was so scared that he couldn't breathe.

That must have been terrifying Q

Thank you, it truly was, and had I not been downstairs, even in the same room when it happened I dread to think the outcome (I've actually run that situation in my head over and over again as we all would)

The thing is OP, that choking- was completely and totally silent. It was ds grabbing me which alerted me to help him. I've always thought nothing of popping upstairs to put something away while he's eating or being in the other room doing laundry as long as I'm 'present' not being awake for over an hour then the outcome of something like our experience could be a totally different one.

what, so if my daughter goes to school saying “I go downstairs and watch tv while mummy sleeps” it’ll trigger a safeguarding issue? I know for a fact there are children at her school who actually have safeguarding against their names / social services involved with their families for more serious things than a child being downstairs watching tv while I am asleep, but okay…..

So now you're trying to justify leaving your DD for hours unattended by saying, hey, there are parents much worse than me you know!

You need to read the thread again and start listening to what people are saying to you, especially the bit from Q about her child choking.

[quote Frozenheart]@Orangejuicemarathoner what, so if my daughter goes to school saying “I go downstairs and watch tv while mummy sleeps” it’ll trigger a safeguarding issue? I know for a fact there are children at her school who actually have safeguarding against their names / social services involved with their families for more serious things than a child being downstairs watching tv while I am asleep, but okay…..[/quote]
But she's not just watching TV while you sleep? She's devouring copious amount of food without your knowledge, never mind your supervision. It's not as if you're just getting sorted- you said yourself you don't wake up until 8:30, she can be downstairs from 6.

Op.. , you've asked for suggestions but it seems like you're ignoring the main suggestion people are giving you.

WAKE UP WITH YOUR DD IN THE MORNINGS!

Perhaps that's the only issue here and your DD wouldn't eat all that food if you or your DH would be with her.
Ask her to come and get one of you when she wakes up.

So her last food of the day is 5pm and then she is up at 6 am and hungry? To be honest I'm hungry if I haven't eaten for 13 hours

I would ignore all the vile comments about your child being downstairs. You know your own child and whether or not they are safe, mine were always very safe!

The eating is a harder thing, I have always believed that kids eat when they are hungry and my kids help themselves to whatever food they want when they want. I have friends who made crisps or chocolate treats and every time we went to a party they demolished the party table as they were never allowed any of it at home. My children now pick healthy options most of the time but also help themselves to chocolate when they want it.

I would say having the last thing to eat at 5.30 is very early and may be the reason she is waking so early in the morning, maybe try doing supper just before bed to see if it keeps her asleep longer.

I do agree that it might be good to stop buying so much junk and a fridge lock could be an idea but only you will know how well all these things will work.

[quote Frozenheart]@Orangejuicemarathoner what, so if my daughter goes to school saying “I go downstairs and watch tv while mummy sleeps” it’ll trigger a safeguarding issue? I know for a fact there are children at her school who actually have safeguarding against their names / social services involved with their families for more serious things than a child being downstairs watching tv while I am asleep, but okay…..[/quote]
But that's not what's happening

She's getting up, going into the kitchen and helping herself to all sorts while you're fast asleep upstairs and totally oblivious to the danger she's potentially putting herself in.

I think you're minimising this massively.

I wouldnt find it amusing to be told my child is obese after being measured at school and being smug stating she has had to wear bigger clothes and your DH and you arent the slimmest. So I am going to assume your very over weight. You should want better for your own DC, surely? If your feeding your DC junk, not doing much in the way of activities and their being left alone alot watching TV you need to sort that out. Do you really want your own DC to go through a tough time growing up because they are overweight and unhappy, do you want to put your DC at risk of diabetes as she gets older. I dont know any adults who are happy and obese, surely you want better for your DC? Your DC 'always' being hungry is because she has been brought up around food and always being full. My DH was the same, i found has attitude towards food shocking. He ate and ate and ate. Whereas I ate until I had enough. I have worked hard to ensure my DC have a healthy attitude towards food, balanced diet, water, fruit and obviously occassional treats. However they are also busy doing football, rugby, netball. An occassional TV at breakfast if parents have had a late one is different to a parent purposefully not bothering getting up and leaving them too it. Your DC isnt 'secret' eating she is just eating when your asleep. She isnt hiding anythiing.