Is this a suitable breakfast for a toddler?

[Newlysinglemum1]

Probably over thinking this but ds is coming 2 and he's a big eater. Most mornings he'll have 2 wheatabix and milk and a banana or some type of fruit and sometimes a little toast if he's still asking for more (which he doesn't always do).

I'm now lone parenting and sometimes the mornings are a bit of a rush. Then he has a banana, milk and toast... is this enough? Its usually slightly later in the morning if we've slept in and missed the breakfast window for nursery (at the weekends I'll do him an omelette or banana pancakes or wheatabix) but I just wondered if that's enough because he always has such an appetite?

👋🏻
I am a single Mum to twin boys who are 2. Some mornings they eat LOADS, pancakes, toast, fruit, yoghurt... and other mornings I'm lucky if they'll lick a grape!!

Honestly, if they're hungry, they'll eat. I prefer knowing they have full bellies to start the day. Often I notice the appetite increases if they've been particularly active the day before or when they're having a growth spurt.

Sounds like you're doing a marvellous job, I know it's tough when you don't have another parent to bounce ideas off of x

Two wheatabix is a lot!! I'd do one plus fruit or a slice of toast plus fruit.

I'd give him water if he's still hungry (kids often confuse hunger and thirst. But give him a snack mid morning if he needs it

Sounds absolutely fine to me

Sounds perfectly good and filling. 😋

Is it enough? If anything it's too much!

Is 2 Weetabix a lot? My 23 month old has been having 2 Weetabix since he was about 15 months old.

I would try to squeeze in a bit more protein in to keep him going, some baked beans, a slice of cheese or scrambled egg.

Sounds plenty.
Is he quite active?

That’s good! My 2 year old had quavers and an ice lolly for breakfast the other day 🙃🙃 (3rd born + summer holidays 😄). It’s all about that 80:20 balance!

Now that's my idea of a very fine breakfast, although I'd replace the quavers with hoolahoops!

He literally never stops and he's 50th centile for weight, 95th for height so he's a big boy but not overweight in any way. He eats a lot but everything is generally made from scratch so I don't really mind that too much because I know it's good food. He could easily have 3 wheatabix if I let him so he'll have 2 plus fruit and milk. Then he'd still eat his snack mid morning. So that's why I worried on the mornings where we're in a rush and it's just toast and fruit and milk to get us out the door that it wasn't enough because I know how he eats the rest of the time! Thanks all for the advice and comments!

You could make a batch of pancakes, breakfast muffins, Spanish omelette etc and shove it in the freezer. Then on rush mornings grab and defrost in the microwave.

Is he hungry when he has a smaller breakfast? That's the only way to judge whether it's enough or not. If he's not hungry it's fine, if he's hungry then I'd make time for a fuller breakfast.

@Devilsmommy how many weetabix would you have?

Sounds fine to me. DS is 20 months and would rage if he only got 1 weetabix.

I'd have two but with alot more milk than id put on toddlers and loads of sugar. But I don't eat breakfast so don't know if that would fill me up completely 🤷

A toddler should eat a portion size roughly a quarter of an adults. But should also have a couple snacks a day as they digest/get hungry quicker.

Often children mistake hunger for thirst so they may not be hungry but need a drink and it can take time after eating for their brain to send a full signal so they may not realise they are full.