Hungry, Hungry Children!

 

Does your little one eat a lot?  Does it seem like your child is asking for food every five minutes?  What could be the cause?  

Sometimes children eat because they're bored.  If you don't think your child is genuinely hungry, suggest an activity they can do.  They will start to realize there are other ways to deal with that feeling to eat.  It's possible your child can be thirsty instead of hungry.  Try giving them a drink of milk or water to see if they're really hungry.  Your child could be going through a growth spurt.  All of a sudden your little one is growing out of their clothes.  Make sure your little one eats three good meals a day.  Older children usually eat bigger portions and younger children tend to eat smaller portions more often.  Our five year old eats very well.  She eats breakfast, lunch and dinner, but she eats a lot of snacks in between.  She also drinks a lot of milk so I think she's really hungry.  My husband and I think she must be going through a growth spurt.  Our three year old is totally different.  She eats a small breakfast, and lots of small meals throughout the day.  She eats a lot of Cheerios, crackers and fruit but she rarely eats her dinner.  I hope this is just a phase :(

Keep in mind that children are more active than adults and burn more calories.  Encourage your child to eat until they are satisfied, but not to overeat.