Bedtime and snacks.......?

Question

My daughter is 22 months old. Her bedtime routine is she goes to bed and gets to watch Elmo for thirty minutes and then I turn on her bedtime music and she goes to bed. We more and more lately she is demanding a snack and a drink. I have been letting her have a sippy cup of water and a snack cup with about 10-20 goldfish in it, but it is getting to be a little much.

Is it nessary? I mean how can I tell if she is REALLY hungry or just wanting a little attention? I don't think it is the attention though because she takes the drink and snack and says "bye-bye" and blows a kiss, no more fuss.

Advice??

Thanks,
Belinda

She is a tiny thing so weight isn't an issue and she is in her teeth phase too she is always telling us to brush her teeth like every hour! LOL! My fiance finds annoying but it isn't a big deal. As for the tv, it isn't leaving the room. She shares a room with us and it isn't fair that mommy and daddy get to watch tv at bed and she doesn't. Elmo helps her wind down, it is her favorite, and I have actually found it has taught her something too. I was trying potty training with no success and then she started watching Elmo Potty Training (Elmo poo poo as she calls it) and now she is VERY interested and things are off to a great start. It was mainly the snack in bed i didn't like, but I have limiting it to cherrios more and more because they are a little more healthy then goldfish.

As for the choking I check on her every 15 min or so. I may move snack time to during elmo time as suggested.

She is just a bottomless pit it seems like and I just wonder if she could REALLY be that hungry all the time. Here lately she wakes up once or twice a week and asks for a snack again!

Answer 1

let her have her snack, its not hurting anything. she prolly could be hungry and just wants something to snack on. i wouldnt worry about it.

Answer 2

Sounds like she is hungry! :-) But, I would not want an in-bed snack to become a long term habit - mainly for health reasons (weight, teeth). But, I would offer her a snack 1/2 hour before Elmo time, then brush teeth, then Elmo. Offer water at bedtime, nothing else. Hope that helps!

Answer 3

I'm sorry but I tend to agree with Colleen, snacking at bed time while watching TV, is setting her up for some hard habit breaking behaviour.
Let her unwind with elmo, on the couch, she has to learn bed time is for sleeping and not eating and watching tv. You have said yourself it is getting a little much, I can imagine the point will be proven when you try the eating and elmo on the couch, if its turned into a habit then expect her to not be happy about the change, if she doesnt care and shes happy to do the couch thing then its a good thing and stick with it.

Its personal choice though, your the mum and only you know whats best for your child.

Answer 4

I don't suggest that a snack directly at bedtime is a good idea. I would try coaxing the snack into her during Elmo, then earlier and earlier until it's happening before TV time too. My 3 yo started this water thing lately and it seems that it is a good attention getter.

Answer 5

Just use your own judgment. Do you feel that she is getting enough to eat during the day? She may just be trying to prolong the bedtime routine, but if she is really hungry, then a few goldfish shouldn't really hurt. Just make sure she brushes her teeth after she eats the goldfish and only let her have water after she brushes her teeth.

Answer 6

i think she is probably hungry. she is getting older and it is probably awhile after dinner and before breakfast.

i wouldn't let her have her snack in bed watching elmo. i would do the routine so that it is pajamas, kitchen table for water or milk and goldfish then movie and bed.

that way you will know it isn't just habit eating or eating because she is bored or associating TV and eating. that is a huge problem with over weight children....eating in front of the TV.

nothing wrong with a healthy snack though!

good luck!

Answer 7

Ler her have a little snack before bed and juice. Don't give her a full meal because its not good to eat a lot before bedtime..it can cause bad bloating or make her chubbier.

After she has her little snack and juice...brush her teeth and then read her a bedtime story to make her fall asleep. If she is wanting attention...you should really gve it to her during the daytime because at night...its when she has to go to sleep and get her rest. Godd luck :)

Answer 8

I would never let a 22 month old eat goldfish alone nor would I let her eat in bed. You are creating some bad habits. Give her some fruit 1/2 hour before bed and then her teeth have to be brushed.

Answer 9

I sympathize with you. My 4 yr old still asks for food sometimes after she is already in bed. I would feel TERRIBLE putting her to bed hungry but also don't want her to use it as an excuse. I offer her something to eat but none of her favorite snacks. I will offer wheat toast or plain cereal....nothing she hates but nothing she would be excited about. That way, if she eats it, I know she was hungry! Hope this helps!

Answer 10

First of all if she's watching television in bed then she needs to have that television REMOVED. As for the snack and drink, that is an attempt to prolong staying up and you've fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. IF she gets a snack at all it should be WELL before bedtime, however a cup of milk before brushing her teeth won't hurt. I get the feeling that she is eating in bed, bad habit to start, if she eats anything she should be at the table in the kitchen/dining room.

Answer 11

Well, at 22 months, I think she should still be supervised while eating (incase of choking). But if this is not a concern to you then just make sure to brushe her teeth in the morning.