Should I be restricting toddler'sfood intake?

[ilovetosleep]

I saw a news article about portion size which has spurred me on. DC3 is 20 months and on 98th centile for weight, has been since around 4 months (born around 50th I think)
She eats. A LOT. Was ebf and blw, not v interested in food til around 11-12 months. She is still breast fed and eats as much as if not more than her 4 and 7yr old brothers. People are astounded by how much she eats. All healthy food, proper family food, loads of fruit and veg - but I feel like she has no off switch. She eats as much as I give her and then often asks for more.
She has a bf when she wakes, isn't too interested in breakfast but has a small bowl of cereal and some blueberries. MIdmorning a snack - cereal bar/fruit/breadsticks/some
Crappy baby organix crisp things. and sometimes another breastfeed. Lunch eg a whole scrambled egg, bowl of salad, slice of toast (she's not a massive bread fan so doesn't eat loads of this) followed by a piece of fruit. Today she ate half a pack of fresh filled pasta, a whole carrot and a load of green beans.
Then another Bf before nap. Afternoon snack. Then from 4.30 she's running rings roundme in the kitchen desperate for dinner. She'll eat a bowl of pasta/chilli &rice/roast dinner etc as big as the boys (and they are big eaters too - but skinny now)
Followed by Greek yogurt With fresh fruit/honey.
I'm worried. I've always believed they can self regulate and her brothers definitely can. But the only things I've ever seen her turn down are bread based things. If she sees anyone eating she'll hound them. She always seems hungry and her mood always improves dramatically after a meal. She's still so little to be restricting her food though.
Her brothers were both cubby until around 3 but never 98th centile (her head is off the charts big and not sure bout height. Saw paed about big head a few months ago and he was happy)
Any thoughts?

If her weight is 98 centile, what centile is her height. If similar, she is prob fine.

Not sure about height, never had success measuring her. People say she seems tall compared to peers but we are not a tall family and her brothers are 25-50th height.

If her weight is 98 centile, what centile is her height. If similar, she is prob fine.

Actually this isn't true, as overfeeding can also cause growth upwards.

OP, she eats very similarly to my DS who is 21 months, I was worried about him and as we see a paediatrician regularly for other issues I raised it there. They agreed he ate a lot but said it was most likely nothing to worry about. They tested him for a few issues (diabetes, thyroid etc) as he's not especially heavy which they found unusual based on his eating habits, but he's fine.

Perhaps speak to your HV as a first port of call- they can confirm if there is an issue with size/weight and if you need to address it.

I'm a bit cautious of speaking to my HV tbh, but I might try to see a different one.
My HV told me DS 1 was heading for obesity when he was 2 - he was 75 for weight and 50 for height. He's now a steady 25-50 for both and lanky as you would expect an active 7 yr old to be. That HV sent me off on this path of worrying that my kids eat too much so I don't think she would reassure me now!!!

Oh gosh OP I totally get you. I avoid my HV like the plague to be fair but suggested as know other people find them helpful. Have you got a sensible GP?

I had a very similar experience with my eldest. She ate lots of everything, bf, 98th percentile (and looked very ‘chunky’). Her first word was ‘more’ - so that she could ask for another helping! People were astounded by how much she could put away. I worried about it for a while but didn’t do anything other than talk to her about whether she was really hungry for more and making sure she ate healthily. I think I also asked nursery to stop providing her with 3rds and 4ths of pudding (!!) they had rejoiced in having “such a good eater”! She’s now a normally proportioned 12year old with a normal relationship with food. I think your instinct that she can self regulate (provided the options are healthy) is the right one.

Yes I know that story with nursery - had to do the same for my two boys at preschool as they were so delighted to have a good eater!
I mentioned this to a friend who's children barely eat, and she said she always thought the boys ate massive amounts too, so I shouldn't worried as they are clearly fine now. And they really are - both skinny and muscular with visible ribs but healthy looking.
DD is a real chubber, she was a late walker at 16 months and I do think her legs have slimmed down a little the last few weeks so maybe it's related to exercise. I'm torn because I desperately want to I still healthy eating habits but we are a bit of a goofy family and it's so delightful watching her tuck into a plate of seafood and salad with such joy on her face. I am pleased she loves food so much. But I am aware of an obesity crisis....
I'm going to look into an alternative HV, or I do have a great GP.
Thanks for the replies!

Is cutting back her milk an option

I had to limit food for one of my toddlers. She would eat until she was sick. Other one I limit breakfast as she would eat it all day

Cutting back milk wouldn't really help I don't think - 3 breast feeds a day is that loads? She can't be getting that much. She'd want a bigger breakfast if she did that though

Hi, my son was bottle fed by 6 months so I'm in a different boat to you but I have now reduced his milk feeds to first thing and last thing at night. I've found it's helped in terms of getting him to drink water more regularly from a cup (cups have been a challenge with him). His eating isn't as good as your DD's but he will certainly try all foods on his plate. He was also a late walker. He's 50th centile. I don't think you should worry too much about it. I might consider removing milk feeds during the day but it's up to you because if it's a sleep aid it's just easier!

At two? It would be a good bit. But, on the other side of that, If she’s not carrying excess weight I’d try not worry too much

My DD was like this until 2 years and then massively reduced her intake. She was/is perfectly 90 percentile for height and weight.

Measure her height, you might be worrying about nothing. Her diet doesn't seem excessive at all, what you have described sounds pretty low calorie really, seafood and veg/salad and fruit doesn't generally make dc over weight even in relatively big portions.

With DD who's now three has and does eat the same as yours. Over Xmas she put on a bit of pot belly and chubby cheeks but over new year she hit a growth spurt and its all in proportion.

I found DD is eating based on boredom and it being available. Now she has started preschool. She is not eating the same amount as before when she is at preschool. Does yours wants to eat when you go to play groups, when out and about?

I haven't seen my HV about it but on the 2 year check up they said she is very tall for her age but they are happy that she is very active and we feed as much goodness as possible.

Hha I didn't mean goofy family 😂 FOODY!!

Yeah I guess she gets a lot of milk. But yes it's a sleep aid! And she's a good sleeper after 18months of hell so I don't want her going to bed hungry!
indubiousbattle just an example of something she likes - she's currently tucking into lentil/chickpea/mushroom curry with a ton of rice and poppadoms - pretty healthy but not exactly low calorie I wouldn't say.
I've figured out there's an HV I can pop into tomorrow so might do that. I also imagine like pp suggested that when she's running around at preschool in september she'll eat less.

My wee one was on the bigger side, our paediatrician recommended cutting down on milk (weaned) as she was eating yoghurt, cheese etc. it made a huge difference.

3 breastfeeds is a lot I’d say, mine was having three bottles. Now she just has one small bottle at night.