should you feed a toddler before bedtime?

Question

My wife always gives our kid (2 years old) a snack right before bed. Strawberries, cherrios, etc.
I'm totally against this. I think the body needs sleep as a time to recoup and the child body easily has enough energy to get thru the night. I know i function better if i don't eat after supper.
My wife said kids are different and need that input even before bed.
Any input?

I should add that my daughter rarely says she is hungry, its just became a ritual.
She is also is a heavy sleeper and doesnt wake up in the middle of the night when my wife puts her to sleep with a snack nor wakes up when i put her to bed without a snack.

Answer 1

I agree with you on this one. After supper time there shouldn't be any snacks with the exception of a cup of milk maybe before bedtime. That's what I have always done with my children and they all sleep thru the night and are very content.

Answer 2

I would say stay away from solid foods right before bedtime. If she feels they need a snack after dinner, then gauge snack time so that they have at least an hour before hitting the sack. If their tummies are still craving something immediately before they have to go to bed, give them some juice or milk. Eating right before bed will not only cause the food to just sit in their stomach, but increases the chance they could spit some up while asleep because of lying down.

Answer 3

I think a snack is ok. You have to think there stomach is the size of their fist. So its small. My son who is 3yrs and weighs about 33 pds he is very small but runs all over the place i give him food before bed like a glass of mile and something soft and warm it relaxes the body. The bad thing about this is you can build a habit of them eating before for bed and that doesn't allow the digestive system work. But again i do warm milk and like a quarter of wheat pita bread with cheese. then he takes a bath and goes to bed. As long as the weight isn't an issue and your daughter is saying she wants to eat and its not cause she is bored then it shall be fine

Answer 4

I'm not certain of the "medical" pros and cons but kids eat all the time and and after dinner snack isn't a big deal. With kids you really can't sweat the small stuff. I've raised two teenage girls and believe me, if I spent too much time on the little things, I would never be able to handle the big stuff. Enjoy their little eccentricities, they aren't going to get hurt from eating a snack before bed time.

Answer 5

I'm not sure of a correct answer for this question, but I do know that growing up I always ate something before bed, whether it be cereal or a sandwich and well I'm not overweight if that's what you're worried about. I don't give my daughter anything because she doesn't ask. Sometimes she will have some grapes or something like that but nothing heavy.

Answer 6

I have a 4 yr. old son, and I noticed since last year that around 9 to 10 p.m when I put him to bed, he asks for bread or rice with hotdogs or eggs, and when he is done after 30 mins he goes to sleep, and when he wakes up he doesn't cry. He is really active especially after dinner. And I think that he's hungry by 10 pm. so i just feed him. He also likes fresh milk before going to bed, (but with instant milk chocolate powder) :-). Hope that helps.

Answer 7

I know I always have to give my 3 yr old a snack before bed. If I don't, she wakes in the middle of the night hungry. If she's hungry enough to wake up and tell me about it, I know she really means it. Your daughter is 2! Feed her when she's hungry, if you don't, that's just cruel.

Answer 8

I see nothing wrong with giving a child a snack before bedtime. Especially if dinner runs early, like around 5 pm. I usually give my daughter a small snack before bed...usually some graham crackers in milk or cheerios...and bananas.

Answer 9

I would say no because if you do, the kid won't get any sleep during the night. It's not good to give kids any sweets or surgar. I have a two year old cousin and she acts up later because she knows she's getting spoiled and gets her way with her favorite food. It's best to stop the feeding now. Don't listen to your wife. Sorry but ALLLLLLLL kids ARE the same.

Answer 10

As long as it isn't junk food I can't see any reason to avoid a snack if she's hungry. Fruit or Cheerios won't hurt her unless it somehow disrupts her sleep, which doesn't seem to be the case.