Infantreflux.org | Toddlers and snacks

This topic has 9 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 18 years, 10 months ago by Anonymous.

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January 3, 2008 at 3:32 pm #46899

Anonymous
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How do you keep your toddlers out of the snacks? When Seth was younger, we had a latch on the pantry where he could not open it but he eventually figured it out. Now, he will be in there constantly begging for treats or helping himself to them. I have tried hiding things in the bread box and cabinets but he catches on and will move a chair to get to them!

He is also getting bad about asking me for snacks for breakfast like Chex mix and then pitching a tantrum when he doesn’t get his way.

I don’t buy a lot of junk but do get goldfish, chex mix, veggie chips and crackers for snacks but I am at the point where I am going to quit buying anything except fruit and cheese sticks for snacks.

Also, this may be another thread but I am concerned because he wants to eat all of the time. I have read this can be a sympton of reflux. He was a comfort eater as an infant.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Mom2Seth2008-01-03 15:35:07

January 3, 2008 at 8:00 pm #46903

Anonymous
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Oh man, I don’t have any ideas but you have just described Sarah to a T! She is always wanting to snack now and throwing tantrums when I don’t get her goldfish or animal crackers ASAP. She was also a comfort eater so it is funny to me that you mentioned that. Hmmm…She will eat ANYTIME you offer her food. It’s like she doesn’t understand when she is full. She could have just finished a meal but it she sees DH or I eating something she begs worse than a dog!! Sorry to ramble…I’m just totally in the same boat and would also love some suggestions!

January 3, 2008 at 9:07 pm #46908

Anonymous
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Alex was NOT a comfort feeder. In fact, she barely ate as an infant, but she is exactly like Sarah and Seth. She is constantly begging for snacks and throws a fit when she doesn’t get them. It has been a big adjustment for us because Kaelyn was a comfort eater as a baby, but has never had much interest in food as a toddler. I’m really hoping that it’s just a phase because she’s making us crazy.

As for ideas for keeping Seth out of the snacks… I’m not really sure. We’ve put Kaelyn’s lemonade on the top shelf of the pantry so she can’t reach it, but I’m not sure how long that will last. I have visions of her trying to climb the pantry shelves soon!

January 4, 2008 at 2:15 pm #46945

Anonymous
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Does he actually eat a lot? Griffin will beg for things, but if I give in, he will eat maybe a couple of crackers and then forgets about them. I really am a sucker mom and my kids kind of eat when they want. BUT, we always make Griffin eat at meal times, we don’t let him get away with the I’m not hungry now thing.

I think boys eat a lot. Or at least my boys do. Little kids have a high metabolism and burn things so much faster than we do. I would say let him have 5 goldfish or animal crackers and say, that’s it. Constant snacking is probably not good, but he might really be hungry.

January 4, 2008 at 2:54 pm #46947

Anonymous
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I agree he probably does need something every few hours and that is fine but sometimes I feel like he just fills up on junk and does not eat anything of substance for dinner (or if he does eat his dinner too he will get so gorged he will have a bad reflux night- like Amy said, he does not register that he is full). I’m a bit of a sucker mom too and that is probably why it has gotten to this point. He definitely knows how to work me! Last night for instance before dinner he had some chips, a cheese stick, an apple and some shredded mozz cheese he helped himself to while I was in the restroom. This was on top of the snack I gave him on the commute home! At least most of it was healthy stuff!

Mom2Seth2008-01-04 15:05:32

January 4, 2008 at 3:14 pm #46949

hellbennt
Keymaster

hmmm? would a ‘set’ snack time(s) help?

almost like a mini-meal with fruit, steamed veggies, cheese, yogurt, toast & peanutbutter, etc? things like that?

maybe then you can say “the goldfish & chips are for when you’re in the car” or whatever your ‘rule’ might be…

I love frozen ‘healthy’ junk food- like

Amy’s brand spinach/feta squares- this way I feel like there’s a veggie along w/ the carb…

here’s a list of the other varieties they have: http://www.amys.com/products/category_view.php?prod_category=5

also: is a sippy of water out & about & available at all times? maybe water would help a bit (instead of food)?

not sure if this helps?

January 4, 2008 at 6:50 pm #46957

Anonymous
Inactive

Laura has a good point. He could really be thirsty… Many people and I am sure children as well mistake hunger for thirst. When I was working I would always counsel my wt loss pts by saying when they think they are hungry to drink 8oz of water and wait 15 min to see if they are still hungry and if they are to have a snack and if not then they were really just thirsty. You may want to try that and see if he is really thristy instead… maybe not 8oz but 4-6oz just to see? Just a thought. HTH.

January 5, 2008 at 11:04 am #46977

Anonymous
Inactive

Laura–

Do you find Amy’s Brand in a regular grocery?? I know of one store in the town I live in that would probably carry the brand but I’m REALLY lazy and don’t go that way often……

January 5, 2008 at 2:23 pm #46988

hellbennt
Keymaster

I find Amy’s brand in my regular grocery store. If your regular store doesn’t have it, you can ask them to place a special order for you. who knows, maybe you’ll start a trend!

January 6, 2008 at 11:48 pm #47029

Anonymous
Inactive

You can often find Amy’s brand foods at health food stores – at least that’s where I get mine as most of the grocery stores around here don’t carry them.
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