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Avatar universal

3 and 5 year old daughters are always hungry, and beg for food just after the are put in bed.

My daughters (3 and 5) are always begging for food right after they are put in bed. We have a routine that we go by everyday. Dinner, homework (5yr old) snack, brush teeth, read a book, lights out (Usually 1/2 hour of TV after book.) This is when they start begging for a snack. We have tried to say no, but after the crying we give in. (There are stains all over the place in their rooms. They are both average to small weight (The 3 yr old is 27 lbs, and the 5 yr old is 38 lbs.) It doesn't matter if they ate great for dinner, and had a snack right before bed. They still want to eat in bed. I am not sure when this started or why. But I want to know why it's happening, if it's okay or not, and how to go about stopping it.
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Avatar universal
Funny my 5 year old was 5lbs 11oz at birth and weighs about 43 lbs. She is small, and I think that is what started it! We were so happy that she was eating. I remember her Dr. saying that too, but it was so long ago that I had forgotten. I'll have to keep it in mind. Thanks for saying that because it reminded me. At least now I won't feel so bad. Allthough I am going to stop allowing it now.

I am thinking long term now with obeisity being such a problem, and even the tooth decay problem has entered my mind.

Thank you to everyone for your much needed insight!

TV before book it is!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Funny my 5 year old was 5lbs 11oz at birth and weighs about 43 lbs. She is small, and I think that is what started it! We were so happy that she was eating. I remember her Dr. saying that too, but it was so long ago that I had forgotten. I'll have to keep it in mind. Thanks for saying that because it reminded me. At least now I won't feel so bad. Allthough I am going to stop allowing it now.

I am thinking long term now with obeisity being such a problem, and even the tooth decay problem has entered my mind.

Thank you to everyone for your much needed insight!

TV before book it is!
Helpful - 0
242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is happening because you allow it to happen. Say no and stick to it. Every time you defer to the children about this, particularly when they fuss about it, you are reinforcing the very behavior you want to stop. In addition, you teach the children that, when they object to your decisions, they should create a fuss in order to influence you to overturn your decision. I don't intend to be hard on you. But you have created this problem and it's entirely up to you to fix it. As they say, 'Just say no.'
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My 3.5 yo DD went through a phase of asking for a snack once she's been in bed but it was a ploy to stay up longer. As soon as I realized what she was doing, I stopped allowing snacking at bedtime and she's ok with it now.

I also agree with Peek that the TV should come before the storytime.
Helpful - 0
172023 tn?1334672284
The TV after the book may be too stimulating.  Try it the other way around.

No, snacking in bed at night is not desirable.  It not only can lead to tooth decay, it is teaching the children to seek comfort in food.  What they probably really want is your presence.   Have your night time ritual, put the kids in bed, and that's it.   If they come out of their rooms, replace them in bed without comment, arguement, or negotiation.  Every time.  Don't give in even once, or the problem will continue even more persistently.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem with my almost 5 year old.  But its not just at night, its 5 minutes after breakfast, lunch and dinner.  So when we went to her kindergarten physical on friday I asked her peds about it.  My daughter as always been small for her age.  At birth she was only 6 pounds and today she is 43 pounds which is in the 25% for her age.  

Her Dr. said don't deny her food,  if she asks for food between meals give her fruits or veggies,  They can have as much as they want, NO CARBS between meals.

LIke the other poster said, maybe switch the tv and book reading around.  Give them a snack during the tv time and then read them a book and right to bed.  BE consistant, Don't give in to them once they are in bed with the lights off.
Helpful - 0

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