Okay, ladies I'm not sure what to do about this. Both of my daughters hit their normal growth spurt during the Winter - usually the first of the year. I could set a clock by it. This year was no different. My youngest went through the phase of eating a lot, grew, and was done. However, since January our 4 year old has been constantly hungry. We give her three well balanced, healthy meals a day plus at least 2 snacks. There are meals where she will actually get serving sizes equal to what I have (I'm on Weight Watchers and don't eat huge servings). She'll still be hungry. She has an unlimited supply of water, and often has a glass on hand. And our Dr. has told us because we have city water, we don't need to worry about vitamins yet. We've now begun to notice that she will chew on things like her clothes or ribbons, etc. When I ask her why - she says it's because she is hungry. She's growing up, not out (Thank God) - to the point that she has went from a size 4 at the beginning of the year to a size 6X/7 now and has grown two full shoe sizes. At 4, she is just under (by a couple inches) 4' tall.
So, here's my questions. 1) is this normal for kids this age? My mother & MIL don't remember either my husband or I going through a spurt this long. 2) What can I do about her feeling to need to chew on clothes and other things? She hasn't started chewing on things that are harmful (like window sills or metal), but I'm afraid that she'll chew holes in her clothes.
Any advice or suggestions would be helpful.
Thank you everyone for your responses!! Even though it doesn't seem normal, based on the number of responses, I guess it may be. We keep a lot of fruits and veggies in the house anyway. In fact, my husband and I are not big chip eaters, so those are rarely in the house, and if candy is around (from parades/Easter/Halloween, etc.) it is kept hidden and only given out rarely - once a month maybe. From the standpoint of what we, as a family, eat our diet is very healthy. I'll just rest assured that this is normal, for the age, and that she will eventually slow down on how much she eats - when the time is right. She has a Kindergarten "physical" in mid-August, so I plan on talking to the dr. about the chewing thing and see if there is anything to be concerned about there. It maybe a phase as well...
Maybe one more snack, before bed???
I remember my mom always being on my case about chewing on the strings on my clothes, I don't really remember why I did it, I just know I had a hard time stopping. Now I am a gum chewer, I always have gum.
Hi! I haven't read your other responses, but wanted to quick share with you that although every kid is different and you need to do what is right for you personally, I have a similar situation. I have been married to my husband for a year and a half, and we have 3 daughters. (2 were mine from before and one was his from before.) Well, my step daughter is 7 1/2, and she is skinny- like a stick! She does the same things, and always has. She can easily eat more than me at meals, wolfs it down, and is always ready for snack time. She chews on the edges of things as well (like her shirt or a ribbon from it/etc.) Although the 'chewing' thing seems to be lessening as she gets older. Her mom is really skinny as well, so the body type is hereditary. I think it's just her metabolism. To this day, I still am in awe of how much food she can put into her little body at meal time! I wonder where it all goes! She is very active, happy and healthy, so we don't worry. I don't know if what you have is the same thing as us, but maybe it can bring you a little comfort!
Kids grow at different rates. My 4yr old son is large for his age also (size 6). My six year old daughter wears size 8 clothes. When my kids were babies they went through two sizes per season. As long as your daughter is proportionate height to weight, give her more to eat.
As far as the need to chew on things; I'd offer her ice cubes if that satisfies her. Otherwise, fresh vegetables and fruit are always great to snack on as much as she wants. I'd choose any of the zero point weight watchers options for additional snacks. As long as she's eating nutriuous snacks and she's not getting "rounder" I'd let her have more snacks. My 4 & 6 year old kids both eat more than I do at many meals. Their metabolism works much better and they need more calories to grow.
I read some of the responses. I think a great idea is the gum. I chew it a lot. I grind my teeth if I don't have gum. If it's an oral fixation, it should help.
If she is hungry, feed her. Make them healthy snacks. My kids went through that time and time again, and then they would have spurts when I couldn't get them to eat hardly anything. I would also give her a vitamin daily. Try Flinstones. Good Luck!
Since taking my daughters pacifier away she likes to chew on things, so we keep a ready supply of teethers in the freezer and we also have those plastic pool diver sticks she can chew on...if she doesn't have something when she gets the urge to chew she chews her own fingers! I know it's for different reasons, but maybe chewing ice or a teether would help with her hunger. When you're dieting some people say chewing gum curbs hunger...maybe ice would do it for your daughter. Good luck!
Growth spurts even long ones are normal, being hungry all a time doesn't seems good to me though. You say your daughter eats roughly weight watchers servings...that's very little ! Weight watchers portions are for people watching their weight and dieting, not for children. Their needs are often far higher.
Growing up and sooooo fast yuor little one probably needs more and that's why she is so hungry. I really saddens me if she says she chews on things because she is hungry...
Proteins, fats and carbs are very important for the growth, please make sure you're feeding your daughter enough of them, for her health but also because it will make her feel full (especially proteins).
I would say your daughter grows up very fast and has huge needs but if she drinks a lot and is still very hungry with bigger and healthy meals, check with your pediatrician again, it could be diabetes.
Good morning V.. My last 2 boys went through similar growing patterns whil growing up. They would each gain weight and then start eating crazy and grow up, then settle down again. If you compared they side by side, my youngest was always bigger (both ways) at the same time age periods. Then it happened, my now 17 year old started a growth spurt that last for 3 years! From 13 to 16 he went from 5'3" to 6'1". My youngest, now 15, kept saying "when am I going to grow, mom?" He has not had anything like this in his growth pattern. I don't think that my 17 year old is done yet. His older brother grew until he was 22. I'm not so sure for my 15 year old. My husband and I both have very short, and very tall people in our genalogy, so probably it is just the difference in what they inherited. My 17 year old is 6'2" and the 15 is 5'5". Hope this helps, L. S.
Virgina,
You mentioned that she is growing up and not out so she's not overweight so you may think about letting her eat as much as she wants until she says she is full even if it seems like she's eating one or two extra meals a day. I would only consider that if she was eating and had available very healthy snacks and extra meals, instead of all the processed snack "food" that is out there. I am sure you do a great job though.
A comment on what was said about conditioning with the hunger response. I would disagree, if you daughter is growing and using all of the food she is eating there is no reason to let her go to bed hungry, or even go hungry for a period of time just because you are fearful of her being conditioned to eating too much. Babies to young adults go through this stage until they stop growing. I wouldn't be worried about her being too conditioned. Just feed her :-)
Just an idea
Hi V.!
You bring up some interesting questions! Would you like some information that helps to outline amounts of nutrients children need at different stages?
How much water does your daughter drink in a day? I'm just curious, what nutrients does the Dr think your daughter is getting from city water?
M.
Sounds like you are doing all the right things. The growth spurt (up not out) doesn't sound out of the ordinary. The chewing on clothes and other things, in combination with the over eating, could be a tactile-sensory problem. She shows some signs of being under sensitive rather than over sensitive. It is otherwise known as "sensory integration" or SI. Research the net and see if it sounds like her. Not all the signs fit every child and you may find a few tips to try to see if it makes a difference. It's worth a try anyway.
I have a couple of friends that have young children with SI. One has tactile over-sensitivity as she could not stand the feel of paper (and other things) thus her mom decided to home school and things are great. I have another friend who's son has a problem touching others - meaning he will hug anyone at anytime, when he is overwhelmed he's not afraid to hit the nearest person, when doing homework he is very squirmy and likes to sit with his knees up and leaning against the table (he needs the tactile pressure). My friend has researched and gone to a sensory processing center for a consultation and got a lot of tips on what to do. It's all a matter of therapy not drugs - for instance during homework my friend puts a large rubber band around the bottom of the chair and he uses this to simply place his feet behind the rubber band so that he feels the pressure or resistance of the band on his feet, he then is able to do his homework without wiggling around. His need to feel pressure is met and he can focus on homework instead of needing to feel pressure.
These are just a few examples that I have encountered. My step son also shows some signs of SI - tactile. When he was little I noticed his hands needed to be busy for him to not act out all the time, so I started taking cars with us everywhere we went. This helped especially in restaurants. Even now, he is 8, he is more settled when he is chewing gum and doing homework.
We know our kids and it's a matter of giving them the best life we can give them. If your gut is telling you something is not right - then more than likely it's not - we all need to trust our gut feelings. Being aware of things helps us make changes.
What does your pediatrician say? Is her weight in the normal range for her height? I'd give her lots of things that she can chew on that aren't high calorie but are good for her and not make a big deal out of what she eats. Sounds like she's growing a lot and needs the nutrition.
Just curious, how is her weight/height ratio. If it is good, then I wouldn't worry about the hungry thing, keep lots of veggies, like mini carrots and cut up fruits out for her to munch on. My 14 yr old son would do this
for months at a time, and seem to grow 2 or 3 sizes, but it was up and not out.
As far as the chewing things goes, has she been to the dentist lately or have you noticed her getting her some teeth. If she cut teeth early then she may start losing teeth early, or she may even be cutting her 5 yr molars. All of these could make her want to knaw on stuff, and "I'm hungry" may just be the only way that she knows how to describe it. Does she grind her teeth at night or even during the day? What I learned at my old job (dentist office) is that kids do this type of stuff when their teeth are coming in and falling out, because temporarily misaligned because things are changing. Again, this would be helped by the carrots, apples and other crunchy fruits and veggies. Hope that this helped.
I don't think those things are too weird. Alot of kids chew on their clothes. Just keep taking them out and tell her not to. Eventually she'll quit. I have a 4yr old too. She is growing on me quite fast as well. She is also getting into the 6/7's and is about the same size. She gets her 3 meals/day and snacks and juice in between. She likes to eat alot of bread and jelly. I think the bread fills her up better - at least it slows her down.
I say talk to another doctor in the preactice get a second opinon.
Hi V.,
I'm a WW myself so I can understand your concern. I would just say be sure they are getting enough protein. I know esp. being on WW that one can eat a lot of fluff and not feel satisfied and for me that means more protein.
Good luck
M.
Kids at this age dont really over eat. I would just make sure that you have a supply of healthy snacks available always. I have a 5yo and a 3 1/2yo and sometimes I am amazed at how much those girls can eat! I just make sure what they are eating is good for them. My youngest just went through a 2 month period where she was, I swear, eating more then me and constantly hungary..and she is a bit of a thing! But now she is eating what I think is normal for her size/age. Carrots, raisins, fruit, any veggies she likes raw put them ont he shelf were she can grab them herself.
I would be concerned about city water. Of course! There's junk in city water as much as well water.
But just be careful of her becoming conditioned as far as eating. What I'm getting at is basically not 'listen' to the stomach growls all the time or the body will eventually automatically kick in and demand food. And that can get out of hand. I often go to bed with my stomach trying to tell me I'm hungry. And I am. But I ignore it, go to sleep, and wake up justifiably hungry and ready for breakfast.
Keep to healthy snacks in any case. To save $ on clothes. But just use this 'quirk' as a chance to bolster healthy snacks. And allow the occassional junk food as reward. We all deserve that.
Good luck, Ginny!
If you child is healthy and eating well, let her eat. God made us all different. All of my kids eat at a different pace and at different times. Just watch what she eats.
my oldest dawent through the same thing as your daughter at around the same age, she is now 8 yrs old and 4'8". I let my daughter eat when she is hungry even between snacks and meals but it has to be either fruits or veggies. as long as her weight stays proportionate to he height I wouldn't worry too much. As for chewing on her clothing I haven't had to deal with that one.
My four year old chews things, too, so that may be normal...I don't know. I have recently heard that kids often confuse thirst for hunger...maybe try giving her water and then re-evaluate in 30 minutes???
Good luck!
~L.
This sounds familiar! My five year old is in a size 7 too. I swear he is constantly going through growth spurts and he eats more than I do most of the time. I just make sure we have a never ending supply of fruits, veggies, and water. Thankfully, he'll eat any veggie put in front of him, so I don't have to worry about him trying to snack on junk all day long. I gave up on the set snack times long a go. We still have set meal times though.
I wouldn't worry too much, she'll just probably be a tall girl. I have a 9 year old niece (10 next month) who can wear a woman's size 2 and wears a size 7 1/2 shoe.
I had a friend who's kids would eat as much as an adult, and were skinny, to average for there age. They were growing taller faster than average as well. Bother parents grew fast and had a lot of growing pains. The kids always put things in there mouthes. Once thumb sucking was over I'd see anything that would fit in there mouthes, even clothes. So that could just be an oral fixation. Do you give them a multi vitamin? When you said eating weird things I thought lots of salt = mineral deficiency sort of thing. I've seen other kids out and about that would chew on there clothes too. I'd keep an eye on it, and maybe check if she's getting teeth.
Good Luck, A. H
I know you have girls so I am not sure if they grow at the same rate. But my son is constantly hungry and I'm not kidding. He came into the world like this. He nursed ever 1 1/2 for a very long time.
He is extremely active and is tall and lean like his dad (his dad is 6'5"). He just turned 7yrs. and he can eat all day long. It drives me nuts. I dont' worry to much I just make sure he gets a balanced diet with good snacks. And sometimes I have to tell him the Kitchen is closed (or else I would be in there all day long)
About the chewing on things it could just be a stage, but I was wondering why your Dr. would say they don't need vitiamins since you are on city water. How can city water that everyone drinks cater to each indiviuals needs especialy a childs. Some kids need more minerals then others. Maybe she is lacking magnesium that is a claming mineral or any of the vitamins B's (B6,B12, B2,B3 ) etc.
Every female needs the B's.
Try putting her on a good childs multi vitamin and mineral. Don't buy any old thing at the super market go to a health store so you know what you are getting and they can help you.
Since she is so young she may need a chewable or a liquad.
It could be as simple as her body is a bit unbalanced with the lack of vitamins and minerals and putting stress on her body.
Good luck!
Hello V.,
is she drinking enough water? sometimes kids confuse thirst with hunger. Good luck! and if she's drinking enough, could it be anxiety? certain food allergies can make them fell anxious. My son cannot handle high fructose corn syrup --gets very moody and anxious. talk w/ your ped if your questions are not answered. ~Carmen~
Hi V.,
I know this response is a little bit later than the others, but I wanted you to think about this: chewing and putting things in her mouth is different from feeling hungry, she may not have the self awareness or vocabulary yet to tell you that. The responder that talked about SI is something for you to keep in mind. There are sensory receptors in molars and many times kids will chew to get the sensory input that they need. If it doesn't go away, you may need to talk to your pediatrician about sensory integration therapy, which would involve an occupational therapist. There are many things you can do at home with a child that has SI issues, and therapy works wonders. Many kids just need to have their nervous system set in the right direction from therapy, and then it works correctly. 4 years old is an ideal age to have her evaluated, before she starts kindergarten. My son has SI, and I didn't know that some of the things he did were symptoms, I just thought they were 'him'. If I would have known, I would have started therapy earlier. One of the things that helped him get the sensory imput that he needed, was chewing sugarless gum. Any gum will work, but for obvious reasons we chose sugarless. See if that helps cut back on the clothes chewing. My son is 8 now, and once in a great while he will chew his clothes, and then I know that he needs me to work with him for therapy. I hope this helps, please feel free to email me privately if you need or want additional information.
