Definition

• Currently 10% of 2 to 5 year old children in the U.S. are overweight.
• The main cause is over-eating.
• Overeating means eating more calories daily than are needed for normal growth and activity.
• Overeating is mainly a bad habit. It’s learned during the early years of life.
• It starts with over-feeding.

Health Information

Healthy Eating Goal

• We want children to eat only when they are hungry.
• They should stop when they are full.
• It is far easier to teach healthy eating habits early.
• It becomes harder when a child starts to show signs of becoming overweight.
• The following are some tips for preventing excessive weight gain in young children.

Care Advice

Feeding Tips for Babies: Prevention of Over-Feeding

1. Try to Breast-feed:
   • Breast-feeding allows babies to control the amount of milk they drink.
   • They stop when they are full.
   • Overfeeding by breast is unusual.
2. Avoid Grazing:
   • Grazing is eating frequently for reasons other than hunger. It means feeding while the stomach is still full.
   • It takes 2 hours for the stomach to empty.
3. Stretch Feeding Intervals:
   • If breast-feeding, gradually advance the nursing interval. Extend to 2 hours or longer by 1 month of age. Go to 3 hours by 2 months of age.
   • If bottle-feeding, try to feed your infant every 2 hours or longer at birth. Go to 3 hours or longer by 2 6 months of age.
   • Change to 3 meals a day plus 2 small snacks by 6 months of age.
4. Feed Slowly:
   • Feed your baby slowly, rather than rapidly.
   • Don’t try to hurry your baby’s pace of eating.
   • It takes 15 to 20 minutes of eating for most babies to feel full.
5. Don’t Make Your Baby Finish Every Bottle:
   • After she signals she is full, don’t encourage her to drink more.
   • Signals to watch for are turning her head or not opening her mouth.
6. Avoid Comfort Feedings:
   • Don’t feed your baby every time he cries.
   • Most crying babies want to be held and cuddled.
   • Teach your infant to use human contact (rather than food) to relieve discomfort.
   • Also, don’t assume a sucking baby is hungry. Your baby may just want a pacifier or help with finding her thumb.
7. Delay Solid Foods Until 4 to 6 Months:
   • Avoid giving solid food to your baby until he is at least 4 months old. (6 months for breastfed babies).
   • Your child doesn’t need to finish the whole jar of baby food.
8. Discontinue Breast and Bottle Feeding by 12 Months of Age:
   • A study found that delayed weaning was associated with more obesity.
   • The main reason is its association with comfort feedings.

Feeding Tips for Toddlers: Prevention of Over-Eating

1. Teach to Eat Only for Hunger:
   • Help your child recognize hunger and only to eat when he’s hungry.
   • Teach him not to eat when he’s bored, lonely, stressed, watching videos, etc.
   • Don’t deny your child food, however, if she is hungry. But, make snacks small and nutritious. Parents have control over what they serve.
2. Avoid Grazing:
   • Grazing is eating at frequent intervals instead of waiting until he is hungry.
   • Children who rarely experience normal hunger become very upset when they have to wait.
3. Teach to Stop Eating When Full:
   • Try to teach your child to stop eating when she feels full.
   • Teach this from the beginning.
   • Overfeeding teaches a child to overeat when he is older.
   • Don’t insist that your child clean his plate.
4. Avoid Tote Bottles:
   • Don’t allow your child to keep a bottle or sippy cup with her all the time.
   • Children who are allowed to carry a bottle around with them learn to use food for comforting.
   • It also damages the teeth.
5. Don’t Use Food as a Distraction or Reward:
   • Don’t give your child food as a way to keep him occupied. Instead, give him something to play with when you need some free time.
   • Avoid giving children bottles, sippy cups, or other snacks while they are in car seats or strollers.
   • Use praise and physical affection instead of food as a reward for good behavior.

Call Your Doctor If

• You are concerned about your child’s weight
• You are not sure if your child is overweight
• You think your child needs to be seen
• You have other questions or concerns

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

 #AAP