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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Too Much Food For A DCG?
midaycare 05:50 AM 10-04-2017
Have a 17 mo dcg with no apparent "I'm full" filter. She's always been over 100% for height and weight. Just looked healthy but lately she's looking chunky monkey.

I serve until she stops eating. She eats 2-3x what my 3 year olds do. In half the time.

This morning she had 1 full banana, full glass of whole milk, 2 huge pumpkin bran muffins, which I estimate at 300 calories apiece. My older kids are 1/2 of a muffin and 1/2 a banana. So dcg had probably 850 calories this Morning! And she wanted more!!!

It doesn't matter what I make, she'll eat anything. Poached eggs? She wants 4. Turkey sausage? Yes please. Fruit? 3 servings. Veg? More and more!

I am trying not to treat differently but thinking maybe I should??? Just offer one serving and then cucumbers and carrots maybe?

Help me know if I'm overreacting. I have a bit of an issue about weight/always super focused on it. I try really hard not to let my crazy out onto others.
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Snowmom 06:11 AM 10-04-2017
I know there are some providers who feed and feed until the kids say enough, and that's perfectly fine (within reason of course). I'm kind of the opposite.

This might be because my grocery bills are already astronomical and I spend nearly $350 a week just on daycare food. But, I'm not willing to give twice-three times the amount of regular serving sizes every day.

If it were me: I'd be serving a healthy serving size for each component. If they want seconds; vegetable (or fruit if no vegetable is available) only. No extra carbs or dairy.

With the weight issue: I might (and I stress might) ask their parents how they feel she's doing growth wise, but I just feel like it's a parental issue to deal with (unless you suspect abuse of some kind).
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rosieteddy 06:14 AM 10-04-2017
I would definitely give only the correct serving size.Maybe start out with water for everyone then half portions.Then when she finishes that give the rest of the appropriate serving.I would try to stretch out the time between first serving and rest of meal.In the beginning hide the extra so she won't see that there is more.Her tummy is probally stretched out and feels not full.I even started making mini muffins.That way the kids felt like there was more.I also would offer water between servingsat the meal.You are right to address this.Being overweight for a child is hard.
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Blackcat31 06:22 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by Snowmom:
I know there are some providers who feed and feed until the kids say enough, and that's perfectly fine (within reason of course). I'm kind of the opposite.

This might be because my grocery bills are already astronomical and I spend nearly $350 a week just on daycare food. But, I'm not willing to give twice-three times the amount of regular serving sizes every day.

If it were me: I'd be serving a healthy serving size for each component. If they want seconds; vegetable (or fruit if no vegetable is available) only. No extra carbs or dairy.

With the weight issue: I might (and I stress might) ask their parents how they feel she's doing growth wise, but I just feel like it's a parental issue to deal with (unless you suspect abuse of some kind).
This is how I do it as well. I serve the required portion size and offer fresh veggies for seconds if they are still hungry.

I also allow seconds IF there are any but I am careful to not allow the same kid to be the one that always gets seconds. I allow for other slower eaters to have the opportunity as well.

I usually have my fast eaters take a minute to digest and wait until the next person is done eating before asking for seconds.

IME, it's common for kids that age to not have the "full filter" so we need to teach them when to stop eating.
If I recall correctly, your brain takes up to 15 minutes to catch up with your stomach and tell you that you are full so I'd just start limiting the amount you give her and call it good.
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midaycare 06:28 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by Snowmom:
I know there are some providers who feed and feed until the kids say enough, and that's perfectly fine (within reason of course). I'm kind of the opposite.

This might be because my grocery bills are already astronomical and I spend nearly $350 a week just on daycare food. But, I'm not willing to give twice-three times the amount of regular serving sizes every day.

If it were me: I'd be serving a healthy serving size for each component. If they want seconds; vegetable (or fruit if no vegetable is available) only. No extra carbs or dairy.

With the weight issue: I might (and I stress might) ask their parents how they feel she's doing growth wise, but I just feel like it's a parental issue to deal with (unless you suspect abuse of some kind).
Parents are awesome, cook healthy, home cooked meals. And I cook pretty darn healthy myself. Between the two of us dcg is definitely getting her veggies and fruit.

Dcg just likes to overeat - so quick story. Hubby comes home and fixes himself a quick piece of chicken with broccoli about 5:00 pm. Dcg is here until 5:05 pm. I ask Hubby to come downstairs for a sec and he says, "Not if dcg is still there! She will try to take my food!" And she will!

I don't want to mention to mom and dad that she's starting to look chunky. It seems rude, and for all I know, dcg will start to thin out. But I think I need to be a little proactive.

I've just started counting her calories this week while here and I was like... Maybe I'm part of the problem! I've just always been taught that kids have a "I'm full" feature that is built in.
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midaycare 06:32 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
This is how I do it as well. I serve the required portion size and offer fresh veggies for seconds if they are still hungry.

I also allow seconds IF there are any but I am careful to not allow the same kid to be the one that always gets seconds. I allow for other slower eaters to have the opportunity as well.

I usually have my fast eaters take a minute to digest and wait until the next person is done eating before asking for seconds.

IME, it's common for kids that age to not have the "full filter" so we need to teach them when to stop eating.
If I recall correctly, your brain takes up to 15 minutes to catch up with your stomach and tell you that you are full so I'd just start limiting the amount you give her and call it good.
So like today for lunch...I'm serving cauliflower mac & cheese, guava, and green beans. So one toddler serving of mac & cheese, 1 guava, and unlimited green beans?
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Mike 06:36 AM 10-04-2017
I'm not sure what to suggest, but if it helps, here's my story.

I was my parents first child and was born at something like 6lbs and a few ounces. I was "smaller than average" and my parents, being new, were worried, so they made sure they fed me. It worked. At 6 months, I was chubby. Visitors would be like: "He's so cute. Look at the baby fat." I don't know about now, but back then baby fat was a thought to be a good thing. Meant I was healthy.

Well, when I wasn't a baby anymore, I was still FAT. My parents decided to cut back on my meals. Good luck on that. It never happened. The earliest years I can remember food, I loved chocolate, sugar and cheese. When I started school, I was FAT, not overweight, but about 100 lbs overweight. When I was 13, I weighed 250lbs and I had to squeeze through smaller doors, like bathroom stall doors. I also had only 1 friend all through school. Everyone else either ignored me, or more often, bullied me and picked on me. Most of my school years were miserable because I was fat.

Later in life I started working on that and am now generally happy with my weight. I'm now about a foot and a half taller than when I was 13, and about 25 lbs lighter. I have a bot of a potbelly, but won't ever get rid of it because it's not much, and it's very useful. In my babysitting years I've had multiple kids sitting on my lap or beside me and use it as a pillow, and in I even use it sometimes when picking things up, like yesterday. I picked up a large storm window to lay down flat on a table to paint. My potbelly makes for a good brace to let it down slowly.

Main Point:
My parents let me get fat, then couldn't undo that, and my childhood was ruined and caused damage to the rest of my life.
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Blackcat31 06:43 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by midaycare:
So like today for lunch...I'm serving cauliflower mac & cheese, guava, and green beans. So one toddler serving of mac & cheese, 1 guava, and unlimited green beans?
Yep. Pretty much.....but not really unlimited green beans... just another serving or another serving and a half but served to her slowly so that her stomach has a chance to tell her brain that she is actually full and satisfied. You'll probably have to take into account that her stomach is stretched and she is a novice at listening to her body so she may not understand right off... but she will.

Offer her water as well... it's not only a great filler but helps with digestion so definitely useful for her!

Understanding serving sizes was probably one of the biggest shockers for me and my DH when we changed how we eat... It's astounding how we (society in general) view a serving size in comparison to what a serving size actually is.

Are you on the food program? If not, I have tons of charts I can share with you in regards to what a proper serving size is for her age.
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hwichlaz 07:16 AM 10-04-2017
I'd also cut her liquid calories. A serving of milk for her age is 4 oz. never give more milk. But always give as much water as they want.

https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites...lstandards.pdf

Lunch for a 17 month old
4 oz whole milk
1 oz meat (think half a piece of string cheese)
1/8 cup fruit
1/8 cup veggie
1/2 oz of grain or 1/2 slice of toast
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midaycare 07:25 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by hwichlaz:
I'd also cut her liquid calories. A serving of milk for her age is 4 oz. never give more milk. But always give as much water as they want.

https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites...lstandards.pdf

Lunch for a 17 month old
4 oz whole milk
1 oz meat (think half a piece of string cheese)
1/8 cup fruit
1/8 cup veggie
1/2 oz of grain or 1/2 slice of toast
1 oz meat...oh my word, this dcg could eat 10-12 oz plus sides. Thank you for the guide. I've never really laid attention because all my current and past dcks just pick at their foods.
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midaycare 07:27 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Yep. Pretty much.....but not really unlimited green beans... just another serving or another serving and a half but served to her slowly so that her stomach has a chance to tell her brain that she is actually full and satisfied. You'll probably have to take into account that her stomach is stretched and she is a novice at listening to her body so she may not understand right off... but she will.

Offer her water as well... it's not only a great filler but helps with digestion so definitely useful for her!

Understanding serving sizes was probably one of the biggest shockers for me and my DH when we changed how we eat... It's astounding how we (society in general) view a serving size in comparison to what a serving size actually is.

Are you on the food program? If not, I have tons of charts I can share with you in regards to what a proper serving size is for her age.
Thank you for the info Yes I am on the food program - I just generally don't pay attention to portion sizes with the kids because my past and current dcks barely seem to eat!
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midaycare 07:29 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by Mike:
I'm not sure what to suggest, but if it helps, here's my story.

I was my parents first child and was born at something like 6lbs and a few ounces. I was "smaller than average" and my parents, being new, were worried, so they made sure they fed me. It worked. At 6 months, I was chubby. Visitors would be like: "He's so cute. Look at the baby fat." I don't know about now, but back then baby fat was a thought to be a good thing. Meant I was healthy.

Well, when I wasn't a baby anymore, I was still FAT. My parents decided to cut back on my meals. Good luck on that. It never happened. The earliest years I can remember food, I loved chocolate, sugar and cheese. When I started school, I was FAT, not overweight, but about 100 lbs overweight. When I was 13, I weighed 250lbs and I had to squeeze through smaller doors, like bathroom stall doors. I also had only 1 friend all through school. Everyone else either ignored me, or more often, bullied me and picked on me. Most of my school years were miserable because I was fat.

Later in life I started working on that and am now generally happy with my weight. I'm now about a foot and a half taller than when I was 13, and about 25 lbs lighter. I have a bot of a potbelly, but won't ever get rid of it because it's not much, and it's very useful. In my babysitting years I've had multiple kids sitting on my lap or beside me and use it as a pillow, and in I even use it sometimes when picking things up, like yesterday. I picked up a large storm window to lay down flat on a table to paint. My potbelly makes for a good brace to let it down slowly.

Main Point:
My parents let me get fat, then couldn't undo that, and my childhood was ruined and caused damage to the rest of my life.
I was also a fat child. When I was 12 I turned exercise-happy, working out for 4 hours a day and living on 2 cans of vegetable soup. My mother allowed this because she hated I was fat.

I've had issues with food/weight ever since.

It's also why I came here for support. I can't ever trust my intuition when it comes to food.

My ds is slightly chubby - maybe 10 lbs, but he works out at taekwondo 6x a week, 11.5 hours. He eats healthy. So I just kind of shut my mouth. I don't want him to have body issues like I do. But he tells me he wants to be skinny like the other boys. And he isn't even fat! I mean, he's not even in a chubby pa t's size or anything. He's just not stick thin like most boys his age.
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hwichlaz 07:41 AM 10-04-2017
I wouldn't limit her to the FP serving size for her age at this point. It would be mean, she'll still feel hungry and it'll hurt.

I'd start with the appropriate serving, and allow full seconds of everything because that's still a reasonable amount for her age. But I wouldn't give them all at once, I'd give her seconds of one thing at a time, and take my time doing it. Never seconds of milk. Only her 4 oz, then water.
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midaycare 07:56 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by hwichlaz:
I wouldn't limit her to the FP serving size for her age at this point. It would be mean, she'll still feel hungry and it'll hurt.

I'd start with the appropriate serving, and allow full seconds of everything because that's still a reasonable amount for her age. But I wouldn't give them all at once, I'd give her seconds of one thing at a time, and take my time doing it. Never seconds of milk. Only her 4 oz, then water.
That's a very good point!
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Leigh 08:49 AM 10-04-2017
I might suggest to parents that they discuss the eating with a specialist. Prader-Willi syndrome can cause a kid to never feel full and they just want to keep eating and eating. There could be several medical reasons for the child's hunger-I wouldn't bring up the child's weight, just say something like "XXX seems to never be full. I've kept a log of what she has eaten in the last week (and show to parents). I think it could be a good idea to have her assessed by Dr. XXX at XXX clinic to make sure that there isn't a medical reason for her hunger or a problem with her not absorbing nutrition properly. If there is no medical issue found, I'll feed her however you wish me to, but I'd feel better knowing that there isn't something going on inside that is making her feel so hungry".
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midaycare 09:27 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by Leigh:
I might suggest to parents that they discuss the eating with a specialist. Prader-Willi syndrome can cause a kid to never feel full and they just want to keep eating and eating. There could be several medical reasons for the child's hunger-I wouldn't bring up the child's weight, just say something like "XXX seems to never be full. I've kept a log of what she has eaten in the last week (and show to parents). I think it could be a good idea to have her assessed by Dr. XXX at XXX clinic to make sure that there isn't a medical reason for her hunger or a problem with her not absorbing nutrition properly. If there is no medical issue found, I'll feed her however you wish me to, but I'd feel better knowing that there isn't something going on inside that is making her feel so hungry".
Another good idea!
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daycarediva 09:42 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by hwichlaz:
I'd also cut her liquid calories. A serving of milk for her age is 4 oz. never give more milk. But always give as much water as they want.

https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites...lstandards.pdf

Lunch for a 17 month old
4 oz whole milk
1 oz meat (think half a piece of string cheese)
1/8 cup fruit
1/8 cup veggie
1/2 oz of grain or 1/2 slice of toast
I give ALL of my kids a FULL glass of water before meals. I find most kids (and people) confuse thirst with hunger. Kid is crying? Toss him a snack. Sort of mindset. We drink a LOT of water throughout the day. It's easy for my kids to finish off a 12 oz cup of water MULTIPLE times a day here.

I tell the kids what they MAY put on their plates (family style) and when they finish, I allow everyone else to finish FIRST, and then we are offered seconds of vegetables, then seconds of protein. I never serve seconds of the grain, I only ever portion out one serving size of it for each kid. I also prefer to serve two veggies at lunch, I've even started serving veggies with breakfast (eg. sc eggs with spinach, or cauliflower rice with poached eggs) The new food program guidelines allow us to replace the grain with a protein 2x a week and it is still creditable.

Originally Posted by Leigh:
I might suggest to parents that they discuss the eating with a specialist. Prader-Willi syndrome can cause a kid to never feel full and they just want to keep eating and eating. There could be several medical reasons for the child's hunger-I wouldn't bring up the child's weight, just say something like "XXX seems to never be full. I've kept a log of what she has eaten in the last week (and show to parents). I think it could be a good idea to have her assessed by Dr. XXX at XXX clinic to make sure that there isn't a medical reason for her hunger or a problem with her not absorbing nutrition properly. If there is no medical issue found, I'll feed her however you wish me to, but I'd feel better knowing that there isn't something going on inside that is making her feel so hungry".
I was going to suggest this as well.

Poor kiddo. Parents have probably overfed from infancy, and now there is no way she is going to learn to naturally turn off the hunger.

I was overweight as a kid, too. We ate terribly, hamburger helper (minus the hamburger) potted meat on white bread. Until I started going to a local produce store myself, I didn't know certain fruits or vegetables existed outside of a can! It took YEARS and YEARS to retrain my body, mind and tastebuds.

Unfortunately, some super unhealthy habits with food and exercise in my early teen years did not help with that.

I will ALWAYS struggle with my weight. Part genetics maybe, but definitely how my metabolism is shot.
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Mike 10:03 AM 10-04-2017
Originally Posted by midaycare:
I was also a fat child. When I was 12 I turned exercise-happy, working out for 4 hours a day and living on 2 cans of vegetable soup. My mother allowed this because she hated I was fat.

I've had issues with food/weight ever since.

It's also why I came here for support. I can't ever trust my intuition when it comes to food.

My ds is slightly chubby - maybe 10 lbs, but he works out at taekwondo 6x a week, 11.5 hours. He eats healthy. So I just kind of shut my mouth. I don't want him to have body issues like I do. But he tells me he wants to be skinny like the other boys. And he isn't even fat! I mean, he's not even in a chubby pa t's size or anything. He's just not stick thin like most boys his age.
Peer pressure.
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Josiegirl 11:02 AM 10-04-2017
Poor little girl If it were me, I wouldn't have a conversation with dcm and dcd yet, just make the changes within the dc's meals, such as the ones that have already been suggested.
Agree with the less milk and more water. Kids love muffins and I do the mini muffins too. I cannot imagine a 17 mo devouring 2 whole big muffins. *I* could though.
I know kids love fruits but maybe have a few lunches/snacks with veggies instead of fruits at all.

I was a fat kid, fat teen, fat....well you get the idea. Always trying to lose weight, trick my appetite, eat healthy(why oh why can't carrot cake be as healthy as carrot sticks??). I have let my weight determine who I am, depending on the pounds my scale measures. Stupid stupid I know. But if you can't tell an adult she's good enough just the way she is, how will a little child ever be convinced if, all of a sudden, everyone around her is concerned about her weight. As I said, as long as dcps are feeding healthy, you're feeding healthy(maybe cutting portions a bit, adding more water, more veggies), little dcg will grow reasonably.

BTW, my parents used to buy all kinds of crap as treats, and we had dessert every single day. Kool-aid, Ring Dings, cookies, you name it, they bought it. And somehow I ended up using food as a form of self-soothing. Sad honey? Here, let's have some cookies and milk. They(and most people) could control that part of their eating, but not some(like me). Showing love by food is never a good thing. Well, almost never.
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HappyEverAfter 03:45 PM 10-04-2017
I wouldn't do seconds or thirds. For anyone really. At that age they don't know what a healthy amount of food is. Feed her the appropriate sized portions of a well balanced meal and then once she has eaten that, the meal is over. Make sure she's hydrated throughout the day too. I have a 14mth old that would eat me out of house and home if I let her. She will eat anything I put in front of her so it's up to me to determine when the meal is over, not her.
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Ariana 03:57 PM 10-04-2017
Totally agree with seconds and then only veggies from then on. I might even do raw carrots or celery because it might be an oral fixation.

I had a 40lb 2 year old in my care and I definitely did not allow her to eat two full muffins! They are pretty much empty calories anyway so if she wanted more I gave something with fats like nuts and seeds. Those are my go to's to fill a kid up. Sugar/fruit/carbs will never fill you up. I buy the big tub of salted mixed nuts at Costco and they eat that if they want more food.
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midaycare 04:03 PM 10-04-2017
Today at lunch I did this:

20 minutes before lunch, I gave her a glass of water.

At lunch, 1 cup cauliflower mac and cheese (200 calories), guava serving (50 calories), 2 toddler servings baked green beans - nothing added except a pinch of salt (40 calories), 4 oz milk (90 cal, I think).

I think the water helped alot. She didn't seem as hungry as even left some cauliflower on her plate!
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Josiegirl 02:08 AM 10-05-2017
Originally Posted by Ariana:
Totally agree with seconds and then only veggies from then on. I might even do raw carrots or celery because it might be an oral fixation.

I had a 40lb 2 year old in my care and I definitely did not allow her to eat two full muffins! They are pretty much empty calories anyway so if she wanted more I gave something with fats like nuts and seeds. Those are my go to's to fill a kid up. Sugar/fruit/carbs will never fill you up. I buy the big tub of salted mixed nuts at Costco and they eat that if they want more food.
The OP's child in question is only 17 mo, other wise I'd totally agree with the raw veggies.
My other thought is, why do they insist on whole milk? It's because of the fats and brain development, right? Why can't we provide better fats for a child over the age of 1 yo, rather than whole milk. I mean, whole milk isn't the end all to the problem, but it doesn't help. Cow's milk isn't all it's cracked up to be anyways.
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midaycare 03:45 AM 10-05-2017
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
The OP's child in question is only 17 mo, other wise I'd totally agree with the raw veggies.
My other thought is, why do they insist on whole milk? It's because of the fats and brain development, right? Why can't we provide better fats for a child over the age of 1 yo, rather than whole milk. I mean, whole milk isn't the end all to the problem, but it doesn't help. Cow's milk isn't all it's cracked up to be anyways.
I agree with this and don't personally drink it. Food Plan though...
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Ariana 05:08 AM 10-05-2017
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
The OP's child in question is only 17 mo, other wise I'd totally agree with the raw veggies.
My other thought is, why do they insist on whole milk? It's because of the fats and brain development, right? Why can't we provide better fats for a child over the age of 1 yo, rather than whole milk. I mean, whole milk isn't the end all to the problem, but it doesn't help. Cow's milk isn't all it's cracked up to be anyways.
Ah ok didn’t catch that when I replied! Maybe just extra veggies then.
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daycarediva 05:43 AM 10-05-2017
Originally Posted by midaycare:
Today at lunch I did this:

20 minutes before lunch, I gave her a glass of water.

At lunch, 1 cup cauliflower mac and cheese (200 calories), guava serving (50 calories), 2 toddler servings baked green beans - nothing added except a pinch of salt (40 calories), 4 oz milk (90 cal, I think).

I think the water helped alot. She didn't seem as hungry as even left some cauliflower on her plate!
awesome!!!!
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