Should you truly feed a baby as much as he wants?

Question

My baby has recently acquired a voracious appetite. She eats and eats and eats. This morning, for example, she drank about 6 ounces of milk, and then ate an entire small quail, meat pick off the bones for her and a slice of bread. She's now washing that down with a 4 ounce box of juicy juice. I tried to play games with her and distract her from food, but she will raise hell until she gets fed. Bottles used to cut it, but now she demands solid "people" food at every meal. She is 10.5 mos old, and is not terribly fat. She weighs about 26 lbs, and is very tall and proportioned. She is very healthy, never been sick in her life. I am wondering if anyone has gone through similar things with their baby, and what do you do? Just keep feeding them? She eats more than my 6 year old.

Answer 1

I am a nutritionist. Feed a baby that age as much healthy foods as she wants. As long as she isn't loading up on the wrong stuff (it doesn't sound like she is) then let her eat!! A variety of healthy foods is wonderful. Restricting, making a big deal out of, talking a lot about food are the fastest ways to create "food issues". Just let her do her thing. That includes when she doesn't want as much. When a child tells you they are done eating, let them be done. When they want a snack later, they have to eat the meal they left. But don't be controlling over food - it's bad for the development of normal eating patterns.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with your child. Most healthy children that age eat more than it seems their body should be capable of holding. If she eats to the point where she is vomiting, she is eating beyond what her stomach can hold. Within the next few months, you should see a decrease in her appetite. As long as she is not being fed to pacify her, but because SHE wants more food, feed the girl. Feeding her healthy foods from all four food groups will help fill her assure that she will not get fat from her appetite, but instead grow up healthy and strong. If you are still concerned about her eating habits, discuss your concerns with her pediatrician.
(mother of a very healthy 9 year old girl and 6 year old boy)

Answer 3

Wow, quail for breakfast? Sorry, had to laugh at that. Does she have cereal in her milk? That fills them up much better than just milk I take it. That sure is a lot of juice too for such a little girl. Perhaps if you tried filling her up with fruit instead?
My daughter weighed about 20 lbs at that age, but then she's not very tall, just a bit more than avg I think. If you dont worry she's too big then I guess you can let her tell you when she wants to stop. Keep offering healthy choices, lots of fruits and veggies, and then if she's still hungry you know at least she's eating well.

Answer 4

I have an almost 3 year old boy who also does nothing but eat and eat and eat. He weighs 26 pounds and is about 30 inches tall.
I have had him tested for Juvenile Diabetes and Prader-Willi Syndrome. He just has a VERY high metabolism. He demands food all day and would eat all day long if let. The only solution that I have found is to feed him 6 to 8 times a day. With some advice from our pediatrician, we give him small amounts of meats, cheeses, yogurts, and fresh fruit and vegetables all day long. He drinks lots of water and milk all day as well. We also give him more breads and pastas than most kids get that are twice his age. His body just requires more calories than most.
I would talk to your pediatrician about what to do with your daughter.

Answer 5

Don't worry about how much your baby is eating right now. She obviosly needs it, and she's only 10.5 months old. Babies havn't been programmed yet to "clear their plate" whether they are full or not. Their switch goes on when they're hungry. Then it will go off when they are full. So they are eating it because they truly need it. I am sure that her appetite will eventually taper off. But in the mean time if you are concerned about her weight/how much she is eating. Try and stay clear of really sugary foods(like juices and whatever else) that way you know all the calories she will be getting are good calories(and healthy foods just fill you up quicker) Maybe try more bread products....something that will fill her tummy up quick. And try to slow down meals if possible. Maybe she is just so hungry that she's scarfing down the meals before her "full" bell goes off. If she throws a temper tanturm because she isn't getting her "sweet" stuff like juice, mabye replace it with crystal light, or something that is sugar free but still healthy. Good luck, it sounds like your baby girl is just growing.

Answer 6

I have let my kids at that age eat. I made all of their food and to this day have very healthy not fat kids. My first one was the really big eater and now he is not but, has hardly been sick. I say feed her and she'll let you know when she has had enough. I am not a fan of the juicy box stuff but, sounds like a healthy growing little girl to me.
Here is an idea for a good meal, I used to give this to my kids and they loved it. Whole milk yogurt mixed with pureed carrots or sweet potatoe and ground up flax and sunflower seeds, (unsalted of course) and ground walnuts. They would eat a cup or more sometimes.
I would give fresh fruit too.
Let her eat, I say.

Answer 7

She's probably going through another growth spurt. Unlike some adults, babies only eat as much as they need and then quit. go ahead and give her what she needs, it will be ok. I've had 4 kids, and they all did the same thing around the same age. I do agree with Pamela, about the disorder, although I've never known it to start that early. If you have concerns with her eating habits, talk to your doctor, and dont let them pass you off. Concerns of a mother are usually right on target.

Answer 8

Sounds very familiar. My 6yr old son hardly eats anything and my 4yr old daughter has been eating since she was born and doesn't look like stopping anytime soon! Both are very healthy kids and very well proportioned with excellent BMIs. Each kid is different and their matabolisms are different.

It's possible she's having an appetite increase. She sounds very healthy. Check with your Child Health Nurse what to expect for a 10.5 mth old. Good luck!

Answer 9

most will tell you that when a baby is full they will stop eating but thats not true in all children, my son would eat until he got sick because he enjoyed the comfort of the sucking (nurseing or bottle feeding) i started to give him a passy and it worked like a charm because he would eat till he got sick. your child is a little older though so it could just be a growth spurt and childrens eating habits change a lot as they grow in life. one day they will eat you outta house and home and the next they wont eat enough to keep a bird alive for weeks

Answer 10

Babies will only eat until they are satisfied, not until they are full. That is why you have to feed them so often. It sounds like a growth spurt to me. As long as she isn't throwing up or diarrhea then you are doing great. FYI, my 1 year old eats more than my 3 year old. Just keep feeding her healthy foods. Good luck and keep up the good work.