Shut off valve???

[Wonderwiper]

Just wondering if you think kids have a shut off valve???

I have a new 12 month old who never turns down food. I start everyone with the same amounts and offer more of veggies but wonder if this kid would just keep going if I kept putting more and more out. He doesn't seem ever seem full! I don't want to over feed him, I think it's possible to teach kids to eat too much or eat just because it's there.

p.s. He is a big guy to start off with

[torontokids]

I think kids have a pretty good sense of when they are full. It depends what they are eating though whether they are to get full. Is he getting enough protein and drinking tons of water? I know my kids could eat crackers, muffins etc until they barfed but I limit this because it's not healthy.

[sunnydays]

I have one like this too! And I sometimes wonder, like you, whether I should limit him a bit because he is quite chunky (not that this is a bad thing in a toddler). He eats really healthy foods though, both at home and for me...so I tend to think he just knows what he needs and he will slow down at some point

[Wonderwiper]

Thanks sunny...I agree, nobody wants a skinny baby,really bad if they get sick and have no spare weight!!!

[Wonderwiper]

Oh,forgot that he does not move. At all. No crawling. Maybe reach out a bit for a toy but really just sits.

[Wonderwiper]

I agree...I offer veg or meat for seconds. Doesn't matter what kind of food,it's inhaled. Almost 12 months but only has 2 teeth so never has crackers anyway. This kids drinks at least 3 times as much as anyone else and pees through a diaper in an hour. He is happiest when sitting in the high chair and wonder if parents feed him to keep him happy.

p.s. He is almost 12 months and easily 35lbs

[Artsand crafts]

I have had kids like that. That eat almost the same amount than me! I let them eat as much as they want. They do not get overweight when healthy foods are being provided. They can get hook on sugary or salty processed food (same as adults), though. I always serve as much or as little as they want.

[monkeymama]

My ds is like this...Hes 20 months and eats twice as much as my oldest dcb. Hes always been a big eater, even as an infant...He is also extremely active, never stops running outside and playing inside...I don't think its right to limit a child if they are hungry...An adults emotional connection to food is not the same as a child....Obviously you do not use it as a reward or way to quiet a child, but at meal time if a dck asks for more, I happily oblige....Theres so many posts complaining about kids not eating at daycare, a healthy appetite is a good thing

[Wonderwiper]

Monkey mama...I never said I would limit food!!!!!!

I am simply asking if he could be eating even if he was not hungry. He does not communicate and never shows the usual signs of hunger nor does he ever seem full.

[monkeymama]

Monkey mama...I never said I would limit food!!!!!!

I am simply asking if he could be eating even if he was not hungry. He does not communicate and never shows the usual signs of hunger nor does he ever seem full.

Ive never see a child, even at that age, who was unable to communicate in some way that they are still hungry or full...

You said you don't want to teach him to eat too much...I consider this an adults emotional association with food, not a childs...