My 14 mo old can eat like no other. She never turns food away. I always just end up deciding she's had enough. And even if she has just finished her meal/snack, if she see's someone else eating, she yells for some. She has Down Syndrome, although I don't think that has anything to do with how much she eats. I also have 2 1/2 year old twins and she eats more than both of them put together. Sometimes she seems really uncomfortable, especially in the middle of the night, and I really think she could have a tummy ache (or be teething, or an ear ache, etc.). Does anyone have any idea of what size portions a child this age should be eating?
I am a home daycare provider and I am on the "Love Little Children" food program, we are required to serve healthy meals and they are strict on how much we feed the children. Please see this link and go to page 2, it will show you how much food children should be getting for each age group. Hope this helps.
http://lovelittlechildren.org/Day%20Care%20Home%20Enrollm...
Hi T.,
In "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears there is a sample menu for an average 25lb 18 month old toddler.
1,000 - 13,000 calories/day, 3 cups whole milk or dairy equivalent (or breastfeeding at least three to four times a day), 3 - 4 servings of grains (range of 1/4 - 1/2 cup serving size), 2 -3 servings each of vegetables and fruits (also 1/4 - 1/2 cup), one 2oz serving of legumes, one 2oz serving of meat/fish/or poultry, and 3 - 4 ounces of healthy snacks. The sample menu listed is: 1 egg -or- 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal (80 cal), 1/2 piece of toast with margarine or butter (55 cal), 1 cup milk (160 cal), 1/2 an orange (35 cal), 1 slice cheese pizza -or- 1/2 peanut butter sandwich (150 cal), 1 broccoli tree (20 cal), 1 cup milk (160 cal), 10 green seedless grapes (30 cal), 1/2oz cheese (50 cal), 2 fish sticks (100 cal), 1/2 of a 2" biscuit (50 cal), 10 green beans (15 cal), 1 cup pasta (150 cal), and 1/3 cup rice-and-raisin pudding (130 cal) for a total of 1,185 cal for the day.
They also have a great website where you can find nutrition and other important information as well: www.AskDrSears.com Hope this helps. - K.
You are right to be concerned, but I think she is really enjoying eating and it is probably a wonderful social opportunity for her. If I am right and she feels good eating and enjoys the social opportunity, stretch out the opportunity with foods that take a lot of time to eat and perhaps encourage social stimulation. I.E. little "pick up" pieces, using small spoons, food that must be unwrapped or taken out of it's package, etc. etc.
You might try you and the twins and your youngest all sitting down to eat the bananna slices first then the sunflower seeds, then the cheerios. A very simple lesson in "order". Next everyone gets to put a dab of peanut butter on their finger and put it on the last bananna slice. Everyone waits for everyone to get their dab on the bananna before you all eat it together. You can make it a game. After such silliness everyone goes out and plays or does something fun after the "pick-your-lunch" time.
To keep my little one busy at her highchair while I was cooking I gave her sprouts on her tray. It was a lesson in dexterity and she actually liked them.
I'm not saying it is easy, but you can integrate activities into the eating frenzy. It will show her down and break up the consumption to play-eat-play-eat-talk-eat-play-etc etc.
Hi T.,
It sounds like your little one is a big eater! Although you are the expert on your child and you know better than anyone what might be going on, as a pediatric nurse I have seen many times that a big appetite can be related to Down Syndrome - many children with Down Syndrome struggle with obesity after age 2 and need help with knowing when to stop eating. I think you are doing a great job trying to stay educated and aware about appropriate portion sizes and nutrition needs for age. My advice would be to make sure you are with a pediatrician or nurse practitioner who is solid in their knowledge of kids with special health care needs, can give you advice on eating and exercise as baby grows into childhood, does routine checks for thyroid levels and other labs, and who you trust! If it turns out that in the future you do need to help your daughter know when to stop eating, remember that many kids, including kids with Down Syndrome, can benefit from positive behavior plans that are appropriate for age and behavior! If you consider a behavior plan down the road, work with an expert if you're not sure how to create one! Good luck!
I recently saw an article that some people have a genetic variation in which they cannot tell when they are full. They simply have to learn to eat a fixed amount of food. I would monitor your daughter's eating and weight. This will probably need to be a lifetime practice for the two of you if you are to control her eating patterns. My daughter (who does not have Downs Syndrome) has also never been able to tell when she was full and she loves to eat. She's faced two decades of frustration with food, diet, nutrition, and exercise. She does not understand nutrition, so I've given her simple rules to follow. The one about eating portions that are the size of a balled-up fist is a good one. Her problem is that, as long as there is more food on the table, she wants to be able to have more. If that is the situation you face with your daughter, then I would recommend serving plates of food from the kitchen and not having "extra" food on the dinner table. For between meal snacks, offer fresh fruit; carrot, celery, & jicama sticks; light peanut butter on low-cal multigrain bread. Avoid juices and other high-calorie/low-nutrition foods. Best wishes.
You've gotten some good advice here so I also recommend you have a ped. who specializes in kids w/special needs & let them know about the food consumption. I'm sure you're aware that people w/Down's tend to be on the heavy, thick/stocky side so I want to caution you to start early watching her weight & limiting the amount of carbs, sugar & processed foods. Make sure she stays active. Not only did I spend almost 20 yrs working w/kids w/special needs but I also have a childhood friend whos younger sister has Down's. She's now an adult in her mid 30's & due to her parent's diligence, she never got heavy. I also think you should find a support group or mom's group related to parents of kids w/special needs. That way you can bounce ideas off them & also gain some knowledge. But, it could also just be a typical growth spurt. When our friend's daughter was 2 yrs (typically developing child) she ate more than her brother who was 4.5 yrs. & now she's a petite teenager. Hope this helsp & good luck!
T.,
I can totally relate. My 18 month-old does the same thing although she does not have Down Syndrome. In public, I dread if anyone walks by with food because she will scream for it. I finally was so frustrated I took her to the doctor for it. He first checked her blood to make sure that she did not have any vitamin deficiencies that would make her crave food that contained vitamins that she was lacking-that test came back o.k. He said that some toddlers do this and that you may offer unlimited veggies but regular portion sizes for the rest of the food.
I hope this helps to know that I am going through the same thing and I guess just knowing that it is normal makes it less frustrating and not as scary. Good Luck!
Dear T.,
On one hand, think how fortunate you are that your daughter loves food the way she does!
My children were both very good eaters, still are. Basically the only thing they would not, and will not partake of...is drinking a glass of buttermilk. Which I happen to love. The reason I say this is because every single one of my friends have children who are picky eaters. I love my friends. I adore their children. But sometimes I wonder how the children even manage to have the strength to walk around. The don't want anything to do with anything that's good for them. I just wouldn't know what to do if my kids were like that. So...be thankful she really loves food.
Check with her pediatrician. You didn't mention how much she weighs or anything. Make sure she is within healthy weight range or if she's on the verge of going over.
Because she has special needs, he may be able to refer you to a nutritionist who can assess her and help you set up a game plan. It may well be that when she sees other people eat, she thinks that's what she should be doing as well.
I'm no expert, but every down syndrome adult and child I have ever had the pleasure to know has really enjoyed food. And that's a wonderful thing. Introduce her to all the healthy stuff. Steamed cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, squash, carrots. When she gets older, she can munch on it raw.
I would definitely talk to her doctor and go from there.
Blessings to you and your family!
Hi T.,
My niece (now 17) has down syndrome, and she has always been a big eater. She loves food, especially bread and pasta. Her mom has always had to say, "OK Beth, that's enough."
I would try to connect with other parents of downs kids, and also hopefully you have a good doctor with experience dealing with downs?
My niece is now gluten intolerant so there's no more regular bread, pasta, etc (much to her dismay!) but her mom has been able to find some alternative gluten free foods at Trader Joes. She had stomach aches for years and it was assumed that it was caused by eating too much, but really she just needed to cut out the gluten. That might help your daughter's tummy, too (?)
Best of luck, it sounds like you've got your hands full :)
Parents Helping Parents in San Jose should be able to give you some support if you are local to San Jose. They just moved to a location off of 280 and Meridian. Their website is www.php.com
When I just double checked their website I saw they mention a Down Syndrome Network Family Dinner on Saturday August 16 at 5PM
I am not sure where you are located, but you might check in with the Down syndrome Connection in Danville, CA, or check with Dr. Len Leshin's website (www.ds-health.com/). Do you and your pediatrician have copies of the adjusted growth charts? If not, you can get it on Dr. LEshin's site.
My daughter has DS and is 19. Food needs are different for different age groups, and I am sorry I don't remember back that far :-) but here are some guidelines her doctor gave us about food choices - only high fiber grains (whole wheat pasta, bread etc. aim for at least 3 gm fiber per serving), pair protein with carbs, limited corn and potato (high glycemic index foods), unlimited fruits and veggies, use the size of the palms for portion sizes.
Good luck -- and next year the National Down Syndrome Congress convention will be in Sacramento!
Hi there T....I'm not a doctor but I worked with a wonderful 43 year old woman for 3 years that had Down Syndrome. She was not able to tell when she was full, she just never felt that full sensation and often ate to the point where she'd be sick. So the doctor wrote her a healthy, portion controlled food plan. She lost weight and definitely had more energy. There were times she would sneak food but over time as with anyone it became easier for her to deal with the food restrictions. I think it was also hard on the staff that worked with her as you never want to think that someone is going hungry but in her case if we didn't at some point cut her off she never would have stopped. I don't know if your daughter has the same problem but I thought I'd share as it sounds like it may be a possibility. I find Mother's usually know there children best and if you think she's had enough you're probably right!
Good luck:)!
R.
T.,
Hoping you have a good pediatrician who specializes in children with special needs that you can speak to about this, that is where I would start, as well as journaling your baby girls actual consumption of food which will help you and your pediatrician become aware of your little ones actual food intake, which may be normal, just on the high side. Good for you in trusting you instincts on this and raising the question.
I grew up with a Down relative who seemed to not have the sensation of "fullness" - I believe the medical term is hyperphagia, a person with this condition eats by sight vs hunger que's. I don't know if this condition was at all related to Down's but your post was very familiar. In our experience, the condition lessened with age.
