[GaViolet]

When we got my 14 month old cousin she would eat like a horse. She would eat more than my 5 year old. Now, she dont eat near as much but is still eating. I think it is enough for someone her age. I have only seen this in one of our foster kids who was three who would eat and not stop. Once he knew he was going to eat. He stopped eating so much because he knew there would be food. Could this be whats going on with her even though she is so young? When she came she was 16 pounds and in the fourth percentile for her weight. She is almost 21 pound now and we have only had her 2 months. Thanks for the help.

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by GaViolet

When we got my 14 month old cousin she would eat like a horse. She would eat more than my 5 year old. Now, she dont eat near as much but is still eating. I think it is enough for someone her age. I have only seen this in one of our foster kids who was three who would eat and not stop. Once he knew he was going to eat. He stopped eating so much because he knew there would be food. Could this be whats going on with her even though she is so young? When she came she was 16 pounds and in the fourth percentile for her weight. She is almost 21 pound now and we have only had her 2 months. Thanks for the help.

That's a reasonable guess. OR it could just be the end of a growth spurt. I remember one of my bios went through a phase at around that age where she could pack down a grilled cheese sandwich, a whole apple and a glass of milk in one sitting. My husband said she ate more for breakfast than he did! It didn't last very long, though.

[Kelly Rae]

A lot of children who have been neglected eat to fill the void in their life. Two of mine ate this way and as they felt safe and had a good schedule they began to eat the right amount for their size.

[lmnop2]

Our 19 month old ate a lot when she first arrived. It seemed like it was more than my husband or I ate. She eventually calmed down, but it took a while.

We were told that the type of food also plays a role in this behavior. Some children entering the system do not receive a well-balanced diet, and so their bodies crave nutritious food.

[dachshunds4you]

Our AD has always eaten a lot. She's been with us since she was 6 wks. But around the 18 month mark or so, yes she began to eat a lot. She still does at 3. People remark on how much she can eat, but besides a little pot belly, she's not overweight. She's always been on the smaller side of the scale, being short and weighing less than average kids. I wouldn't be too concerned unless she's really gorging herself.

Our AD can eat a PJ sandwhich, one whole can of mandarin oranges (and I mean the big can, not the little one), some crackers, and on and on if I let her. I do notice she eats more if we have less activities. The more entertained she is, the less she will eat. But that's the same with us too.

She does go in spurts, some days she'll eat a lot, others not as much. I guess it balances out.

[greenrobin]

When Bubba first arrived, he'd gorge to the point of vomitting. Flowergirl didn't go that far, but she ate so fast that she bit her own fingers several times at each meal. The Tasmanian Devils, minus Queenie, would eat until there was nothing left on the table--so much so that we had to limit them to 3 servings! The Fab Four ate like gangbusters.

Whle the others left before they evened out, Bubba and Flowergirl now eat a normal amount at a normal pace. Bubba is getting ready to grow, I believe, because he's into seconds and sometimes thirds these days!

Yes, some kids go through a bottomless pit stage even when they've always been with you. For my bios it always signalled a growth spurt. And, when they were done, they returned to normal food consumption.

If you're worried, check it out with your ped. As long as they're not sick, it's probably nothing to worry about.

[aedems]

Mine were 18 months when I got them and they would actually stand at the pantry begging for food even after they had eaten a full meal because they knew food was in there. It was so sad. They now are settling down and do not beg for food unless they see somebody else eat it, but it was wild for the first few weeks!