I gave her a piece of bread the first night and reminded her that she didn't eat. Then reminded her at dinner that she had woken up hungry. Last night I was so mad I told her no. And went back to bed, but then got back up and gave her a piece of bread. I felt quilty letting her lie there hungry. But I can't sleep after I get up like that so I'm close to not letting her have anything if she wakes up again tonight. Any suggestion?
2006-08-01 23:55:47 · 13 answers · asked by Tara R 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
That's what you will have to do, not give her any food. We started this pattern with my daughter, and we regretted it. She learned that she could eat very little at Dinner, and then when it was bed-time, she'd have an excuse to stay up just a little later, or wake us up in the middle of the night and get attention, a snack, and then she'd want to play. Tell her at Dinner that you will not feed her when she wakes up in the middle of the night, and then stick with that. Also, about 30 minutes before her bed-time, you could offer her a light snack, make sure you tell her that will be last time she eats for the night, that her next meal will be Breakfast.
2006-08-02 00:06:14 · answer #1 · answered by nimo22 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You can't give her something in the middle of the night. She needs to learn the consequences of her actions, or inactions. Make sure that she is eating healthy, nutritious foods so that she isn't lacking the nutrition. Don't give her a snack within one hour of dinner, so that she will be hungry for dinner.
It's a different story if she crashes for a nap just before dinner on a really busy day. Then, if she wakes up around midnight hungry, you can't blame her. Give her a piece of toast with peanut butter. Make sure she gets out of bed and sits at the table then brush her teeth. She will be groggy enough to go back to bed afterwards. Of course, you will be shot the next day.
2006-08-02 09:09:09 · answer #2 · answered by yodeladyhoo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What time is she eating lunch. Then what time is she having a snack and then what time is she eating supper? My girls eat consistently, so that when supper comes around they are hungry and they will eat. On the occasions that one of the doesn't eat supper, I feed them a healthy snack at bedtime. I also, know that children's taste in foods changes as they grow. I know that the one food that I can always get my children to eat at any meal time is fruit, an apple in particular. So figure out what is your daughter's favorite healthy food and let her have that as a bedtime snack and maybe then she won't wake up in the middle of the night. Try peanut butter on a spoon and some apples (peeled and cored). Peanut butter is a protein (and 1 oz is plenty to control hunger at night) apple is a carb and a small one is 1 carb. This might keep her from waking up hungry.
2006-08-02 07:06:47 · answer #3 · answered by mom of girls 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't feed her or you will make this a ritual.
Just be consistent - Tell her no - she won't starve. Don't let her leave the dinner table unless she eats at least something from her dinner plate. Maybe her favorite part of what's on it. Praise her for that. Also, if your family eats dessert after dinner - I used to tell my kids they couldn't have that unless they ate their dinner first.
She is testing you. If she choses not to eat, don't plead. Just remind her that the next time a meal will be served is breakfast. And then drop it and stick by your words. It feels hard, but it will stop. It's really a battle for control - and if it's not this - it will be something else. Get used to it. Mine are 13 and 17.
2006-08-02 07:08:42 · answer #4 · answered by Kare♥Bear 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be careful you don't want to create a habit of her getting midnight snacks, but I understand your reluctance to see her go hungry too. The bottom line is this is a habit you need to break quickly.
The first step is to determine why she isn't eating. Are there too many distractions at dinner? Are you fixing meals she doesn't like? I am not saying cater to her tastes, but I always make sure I have at least 1-2 items I fix for dinner I know my daughter will eat. Finally, don't force her to eat. This will create a whole nother set of issues.
2006-08-02 09:09:41 · answer #5 · answered by Erin S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all children will not suffer any harmful effects if they skip meals. She is playing you Mom. You have to teach her that she needs to eat her meals when it is meal time (designated by the parent) She is starting to try to be in charge at a young age, and if you fall into the trap of giving her bread in the middle of the night, her control over you, the adult; will expand until she is running the household. As long as she is getting enough water or juice into her system so that she does not get dehydrated, she is all set. Please do not fall into this trap, it will be nearly impossible to dig yourself out. It may take 3 or 4 missed suppers, but she will come around and realize that she has to eat when it is supper time. Check with her doctor, and he will confirm what I had told you in this forum. Good luck!!
2006-08-02 07:12:35 · answer #6 · answered by Sue F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain to her that she has to eat her dinner,or try to eat as much as she can, and let her know that if she eats her dinner for say 2 nights as anything longer seems like a life time away, that she can have a special treat.Or give her a warm milk, just before going to bed, it will fill her up.If she is hungry during the day try to cut back what she eats, give her a sandwich for lunch and fruit for the rest of the day as it won't fill her up as much.It's worked for my 3 yr old. hope it all works out.
2006-08-02 07:08:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put her unfinished dinner plate on her bedside table. Mine would eat bread until the cows come home if they had a choice. They know that if dinner is not sufficiently finished (we don't force them to eat the whole plateful but expect certain amounts of each food to be eaten) the rest of what they didn't finish will be available for bedtime snack.
2006-08-02 09:03:39 · answer #8 · answered by Robert H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she wont eat her dinner when everyone else is eating dinner...then b4 you put her to bed, you should give her something to snack on like some fruit. Thats what i do with my daughter, i always make sure she doesn't go to bed hungry
2006-08-02 07:22:15 · answer #9 · answered by renae8003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had this problem also. First before she goes to bed get her really tired so she sleeps good. Second, don't give in and give her something to eat at night. I know this is really hard, but this is the only way she will learn to eat at the right times.
Good luck.
2006-08-02 07:06:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋