What do others do when their kids ask for food after going to bed? My son is 4 and he always asks for food 5 minutes after bed time soon after he's just said he's full at dinner. He does this during the day as well will say he's full but still hungry and wants something else instead. How do others combat this when their children play up at meal times? If I refuse my son food after bed time he will jump around In bed for ages drives me mad. Then asks again :/
4 Replies
I offer fruit or a non preferred item like a dry piece of bread that they can eat in bed. That way they aren't getting up and delaying the bed time routine. Plus the food isn't exciting so doesn't encourage them to choose that over dinner.
During the day I remind that they haven't finished lunch and that its still there to be eaten.
I also make sure the leaks I serve are child size. Kids need to eat lots of times during the day. There tummies are quite small so can't fit a lot in in one sitting.
When hes eating dinner and says he is full, tell him that he has to finish as he will receive no more food that night, enforce to him that this is the final meal for the night, he will most likely insist that thats ok and he is done eating. When bed time rolls around and he asks for food remind him of the dinner conversation and that he said he was full.
He will probably play up but its more of a power play with you rarher than him being hungry. Be strong!
Offer fruit, if he refuses then he cant be too hungry!
Have a banana. Or half. and a warning to make sure full before bed because no food at. Bed time its bad for your teeth. Remind next night five mins before bed , are you full? Do you want a banana? Last chance until breakfast.
He might be confusing hunger with thirst - give some milk or water instead - ask if it a hungry feeling in his tummy (hunger) or in his mouth and throat (thirst).