My 3 1/2 y.o. has always been very thin(a problem i wish i had). He has always been in the 1-2 percentile for weight, but is healthy and active. Now im a little worried about him going to preschool because he eats breakfast around 9 or so. He will be going to school at 12:30. I know he is not going to want to eat lunch before he goes and im afraid he will be hungry while he is there until 2:30. But if he eats lunch after school, then he wont want to eat dinner at 6. I guess i could get him up and have breakfast earlier, but he really resists eating in the morning and says he is not hungry. Without skipping meals, which he cannot afford, im not sure what to do. I dont want to force him to eat either, i think that sends the wrong message. Any suggestions?
L.,
I also have a very skinny boy. If I were you, I would keep his regular breakfast schedule but give him a small meal before school and a good snack after school. Just break up what you would give him for lunch in two smaller meals. I am sure he will do fine.
My son is 11, now, and has always been slender but a good eater. I wouldn't worry so much about eating. If you have a good routine set up, he will adapt. My son eats breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks - mid-morning and right after school. I am careful about the amount of juices / juice drinks I allow my children. Even moving your breakfast schedule to 8 am, with your lunch schedule at 11:30 am, may be a more desirable schedule. That way, he can come home and have a light snack and, hours later, it shouldn't interfere with the dinner schedule.
Just don't let your son get in the habit of grazing or eating between meals.
I'm questioning that percentile for weight - it seems very low unless your son is very short, also. If your doctor is concerned about his weight issues, then, you may want to consult with him and get some advise as to how you can help your son gain weight.
Good luck.
2 of mine are also skinnies and yes I wish I had that problem also. They are very much like me where they aren't hungry when they first get up. They have to be up at least an hour before they want to even consider eating breakfast. One thing I did when they were younger was have them eat breakfast as usual. Then they ate a smaller lunch and a good snack when they got home from school. then we ate dinner at the usual time and they were allowed a small healthy snack or left overs from dinner. It may take adjustments but he should be fine. One thing you will have to watch is that he does not decide he can get away with eating what ever he wants when he gets older. Mine tried this last year. Snacked like crazy and then didn't want dinner but were hungry at bedtime.
My son was the same when he was little. Eventually he got his appetite big time! He is now 14 years old and 5'9". He is still thin but not skinny and eats very well. I would suggest maybe making breakfast a little earlier and having some lunch before school and a snack after school. He may not eat a lot, but at least you are offering food and he will have a little something in his stomach. Maybe he will get used to the routine once he is in school. Just offer what you can at those times and let him eat what he will and hopefully it will get better. I know I always used to feel so bad when mine was little and was so skinny and barely ate anything. It all worked out so I think it will for your little guy too!
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