My Son Won't Stop Eating!

He's normal, it's normal! Let him eat if he wants to and don't worry about it. A year from now, you will remember this when you are trying to get something in him other than chicken nuggets!

Have you tried giving him more fluids, as water since that is filling, but not as fattening as juices would be. I would also suggest making his snacks vegetables and cherrios. If he has not always eaten this much he could be going through a growth spurt too, which seems to peak the appetite of a child and at other times they hardly eat anything.

if he is eating waffles he should be limited...if he is eating fruits and veggies he can have as much as he wants. Anything that is processed or made from white sugar, flour ect... should be imited. make sure that he is eating foods with fiber too! :-)

Hi K.!

My son has always been a BIG eater, too (he would eat up to 4 pancakes w/ bananas for breakfast at around your son's age), and like your son, his height and weight were always proportionate (albeit, on the very high end of the growth chart). His pediatrician had the outlook that he knows how much to eat and he'll stop when he's full... and he doesn't really consider weight issues until the child is 2. My thoughts are this: As long as our sons' weight is proportionate to their height, as long as their pediatricians consider them healthy, as long as they are playful and active, and as long as the food they eat is nutritious (except, of course, the occasional treat), then we should let them eat what they need.

It's normal for kids to go through growth spurts and at your son's age they happen often. As long as he's eating health foods and not getting too heavy, he probably fine. If your really worried ask your pediatrician. Most likely though he just going through a growth spurt. And some kids have a faster metabolism. I have two boys, one eats out of house and home, and regularly astonished people with how much he eats. But we often have to fight to keep enough weight on him. The other son he would love to eat us out of house and home, but if he does he gets too heavy.

K.,
I think it's totally normal. My 15 mo. old son is the same way. He is very active. I think it's just important to give him healthy foods. If he eats a lot your job is to train him to eat well. My cousin's son is the same, neither of the boys are at an unhealthy weight. One thing my cousin does is put healthy options in a ice cube tray (you know the ones with 12 cubes) for him to choose from. We both give are kids snacks throughout the day so they aren't starving at meal times. As long as they eat healthy foods at frequent intervals they will develop a healthy metabolism. Don't worry, try not to let other people's opinions bother you. He's your son, you get to choose what's best for him.

Sometimes children eat like that when they go through growing spurts! Its normal but if he keeps on eating like that and dosent stop talk to your doctor but for right now like the next couple of months he might eat like that! My 8 year old does that and it should stop soon! As long as he stays active it is ok!

I would just feed him. Children don't start eating when not hungry until about 3 or 4 years old. He could be getting ready for a growth spurt.

My son is 20 months old now but when he was about 16 months old, he was a huge eater also. It seemed like he was constantly looking for something to eat and he would eat a lot at a time. He was in the 50th percentile for weight so he was never a huge kid. He's not a big eater anymore, his eating has basically been cut in half in the last few months. I now attribute the increase in eating to a growth spurt of some sort, it's the only thing I can think of. His body probably needed the extra calories at that point. I would venture to say your son probably won't continue eating that way indefinitely. I would bring it up at your next Ped visit just to get his/her opinion but I really doubt there is a problem. Good luck!

sometimes my own children would go through periods like this -- we always called it a "growth spurt" -- it wouldn't last long -- a few weeks. As long as he's behaving normally in other ways -- let him eat -- but you must manage what he eats (healthy food, of course).

Let him eat, because a child will turn their head when they don't want anymore. I have an 17 month old and up until last month I couldn't nor the daycare center workers could get him to eat over about 3 spoonful per meal. Now he wakes me up wanting to eat and when he get to the daycare he eats breakfast again. I feel very good when I see him eating like that. When your son is full he will turn away from the food, atleast my son do.

I agree with the mom who recommends whole food nutrition.

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Hi K.,
Wow my daughter has the exact oppisite he won't eat anything. So as long as he looks healthy and is not getting overweight, it may be a good idea to give him foods like carrots, celery with either peanut butter or cream cheese, foods that he can eat all he wants without all the calories and fats, I used to take a banana and slice it long ways then make a peanut butter sandwich. he'll get at his regular meals the calories and healthy fats.Also greenbeans are a fun finger foods. I like them raw as well as cooked out of the can. Canned pineapples chunky my grandson loves them. Make sure it's in it's own juice. I ope this helped there are many foods u can look for that r healthy and he can have as much as he'd like. Now if he's used to junk food already u'll have a challange stick to ur guns when offering him choices.....of healthy not junk. Maybe he'll take it better if he has several things to choose from that have no junk included in the choices. God Bless.....C.

Why do you think this can't be healthy? It is perfectly healthy if what he is eating isn't non stop happy meals and potato chips. Both of my girls went through similar periods at about 18 months. Then they grew an inch in a month or something. Both of them are healthy. In fact, my 4 year old is doing it again. She will eat 2 packages of oatmeal, a banana, and half an apple for breakfast; 2 sandwiches plus vegitables for lunch, a low fat pudding or yogurt sometime before dinner then eat whatever we're having for dinner! He's just growing and his little body is metabolizing faster than he can eat (well just about). Just feed him healthy food and he will be FINE! :)

Count your blessings! My 18 month old boy will not eat anything. I am lucky to get a meal a day in him.

As long as you are feeding him healthy food, view his eating as a positive thing.

Enjoy this time!! He's probably going through a growth spurt. If he's H. & W. proportionate, be happy. A lot of kids this age refuse to eat!!

:)

Good luck!

Hi K.,
I have 2 boys as well, a 3 1/2 yr. old and a 18 month old. They did a lot of eating at first as well. My oldest was the same way now I have trouble getting him to sit down and eat. It may just be a stage. My 18 month old eats now when he wants to. Try substituting the 2nd sandwich with healthier foods, like carrots, grapes or green beans if it is scaring you. He will probably grow out of it. Once he turns 2 or 3 you will probably have trouble getting him to eat.

J.

It is perfectly normal for children to go through spurts where they don't stop eating or even vis-versa and not eat at all. If he is hungary feed him, and as far as him getting fat, that depends on what it is that he eats! If when he is hungry is good whole foods, at least the mojority of the time, (everyone needs macdonalds now and then!) he will stay on that "normal" curve and when the growth spurt ends he'll slow down. In the meantime do your best to make sure his belly is full of healthy foods.

Hi K.,

How long has it been going on for? If its just a few days I wouldn't worry but if its more than a few weeks then I would speak to your Doc. There may be a medical problem behind it, I don't want to scare you but better be safe than sorry. If its just been a few days then it may be just a growth spurt. Has he been getting more exercise than normal, that may be the cause too.

You didn't mention what he eats after lunch, does eat a lot the remainder of the day, if not then maybe it works its self out.

Don't worry it may be nothing. Good Luck.

Jo

K.,

It's okay. My son and daughter were like that for a while too. He's probably going through a growth spurt which lasts more than a day. If he's not gaining weight, keep feeding him. It means his body is burning off the calories somehow.

~J.