Do you feed your toddler snacks between meals?

Question

My mom watches my two sons (one will be one year old next week, the other will be 28 months old next week) while I work during the day. She insists on feeding them two large meals (breakfast and lunch) during the day instead of two smaller meals and two snacks. She says they eat better/larger meals if she doesn't give them snacks. I believe if the snack is healthy (fruit, yogurt, etc.) then it shouldn't make a difference if they don't eat ALL of their breakfast or lunch, or eat a huge portion. I would rather feed my boys six small meals than three huge ones. Anyone who has a two year old knows that they are prone to "meltdowns" periodically, and I have to wonder if my older son is behaving like this because of low blood sugar. It just doesn't seem right to me to have two young children eat breakfast at 7:30 a.m., then have NOTHING between then and lunch time (about noon). She does give them juice when she brings them in from their walk in the a.m., but that's it. Advice?

Answer 1

Actually the smaller but more frequent meals thing is great advice for even adults, it helps keep your metabolism up, and your blood sugar at a more manageable level (as you were asking about the low blood sugar melt down). Just ask any diabetic they are told to eat three meals and up to three snacks. 5 hours (or even 4 1/2) IS a long time to expect a toddler to wait for food, you have to remember that their stomachs are only about the size of THEIR fist, and think about it, smaller container empties faster (that's why newborns eat every two hours). I have a 5 year old and a 1 yr old, both "snack" heck my 1 yr old snacks constantly all day, if he didn't he would be a BEAR, AND he still has a VERY healthy appetite at the dinner (lunch or breakfast) table, and by the way at his one year check up he was actually in the bottom 10% for his age... which means he's NOT getting FAT from all this eating. Juice for a snack (or a blood sugar pick me up) is about the WORST thing you can give a child, it's empty calories, you might as WELL be feeding the kid sugar water, it is MUCH more healthy to give a child an apple (and let them drink water) than to give them a cup full of apple juice. Just remember WHAT you feed them is very important (but you seem to understand this) and it is less important that they eat a lot than if they eat large amounts. So you're right cleaning your plate SHOULDN'T be a requirement (in fact imposing that "rule" can lead to obesity as an adult, your mother's generation is more likely to "suffer" from this dilema because growing up they always heard clean your plate clean your plate, now we're hearing it's OKAY NOT to clean your plate, have enough will power to leave some food behind). Anyway the major point is you are having a parenting conflict with your mother, she wants to do it one way you want to do it another, the point is YOU are their mother, and your mother needs to accept and heed YOUR rules on how you want your kids to be raised, IF this were a hired babysitter you would expect them to do what YOU wanted to do and you wouldn't hesitate a MOMENT to fire a person for not following your rules about how the children should be fed, the only reason you aren't up in arms about this is because she's YOUR parent. I give you permission to tell her that these are YOUR kids to raise as YOU see fit, and back it up (lie if you have to) by telling her their pediatrician tells you the boys would do better if they had a small snack between meals (call the pediatrician and ask them, I'm sure the doctor WOULD say that so really you wouldn't be lying to your mom if you wanted to double check). So really the issue isn't to snack or not to snack it's more about parenting boundaries, and you need to set yours and decide where you are willing to compromise. (but if I were you there would be NO compromising... but then I'm a bit of a hard head about those things)

Answer 2

I don't think you should follow your mother's advice... it's pretty outdated and not nutritious. You are right... children are very active and need constant replenishing throughout the day, especially liquids so they stay hydrated... Also, it you feed them small, healthy meals throughout the day with plenty of fluids, they will learn about nutrition and better eating habits than just stuffingthemselves full twice a day... why? because if they are hungry, they will only crave super sweet, or very salty or fatty foods for the two larger meals... instead of limiting their intake with the snack meals... You are on the right track and good for you for bringing this up!!! If your mother is still reluctant to follow your rules have your children's doctor weigh in and tell her what they suggest... trust me: you are right!!! And it's a good healthy regimen for adults as well; lead by example!!! Good luck!!!

Answer 3

I have a 2 year old and I give him snacks in between his meals. He really doesn't eat that much at his meals anyway. I always make sure they are healthy snacks like you - fruit, yogurt.

Answer 4

my son is 5 and it has been near impossible to get him to eat anything properly up until about 6 months ago when i started to cut his 3 huge meals into 5-6 little meals a day depending on how hungry he is. most of the problem was me trying to GET him to eat it and he was just rebelling but when i said that he didnt have to eat all of his breakfast (which was a smaller portion) he ate it all!! then he was hungry again about 1 1/2 hours later and he asked for a yoghurt and an apple and he has been eating his smaller portion main meals and his healthy in betweenie snax and has been steadily putting on weight over the last few months. this helped me, maybe will help you 2. good luck

Answer 5

i have three little girls ages 4,5, and 7 and i agree with you.

children require more energy than adults do and their metabolism is alot faster so they require more food throughout the day.

children are quite picky and have small tummies so by only feeding them twice between wake up time and afternoon-it can cause drops in blood sugar and cause them to be more tired.

explain your concerns to your mom and tell her you would feel more comfortable feeding them smaller meals more frequently. they don't have to be complicated meals if prep time is an issue. My girls love cereal,oatmeal, or scrambled eggs for breakfast, things such as cheese sticks, ritz crackers and sliced cheese, apples slices and peanut butter, or pretzels and yogurt make awesome snacks. For lunch-they love peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches ( i use cookie cutters to make it more fun to eat), veggie soup, or cheese crisps ( i add frozen mixed veggies in w/the cheese before melting) w/ranch dressing.

even adults snack on things throughout the day so it's no wonder little ones need to eat more often : )

Answer 6

feed toddler snacks meals

Answer 7

I'm not sure if your daughter has limitations on what she can or cannot eat but here's my 4 year olds "menu" if you will. Breakfast: LIFE cereal Banana with a yogurt Scrambled eggs with bacon Pancakes/French Toast Lunch: PB & J with sliced apples Mac n Cheese with Ham Chicken Noodle Soup w Grilled Cheese After Nap Time Snack: Graham Crackers w Apple Juice Grapes w Choclate Milk Dinner: Whatever my husband and I eat: roast with veggies, chieckn, etc.

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Answer 8

Children should have 6 meals a day; breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack.

A snack is very small, not a meal.

Juice is not a snack.

Answer 9

poor babies tell granny to kick down the snacks


I feed my 21 months son little snacks between meals... only and especially when he requests... a Little healthy baby cookie, a little healthy baby cracker .. I also give him fruit snacks and bits of dry cereal.

I make sure cool drinks are available to him all day..

Healthy snacks are important cos toddlers are growing.

Answer 10

I do not think your mom is right. A baby's stomach is about the size of their fist. They can not eat much at one time, therefore get hungry between meals. Also, they are so active, they burn off what they eat rather quickly.