Is it possible not to feel hunger or fullness??

Maggie went from FTT non-eater to eating nonstop and I'm seriously worrying about obesity in her future. She has started pigging out, eating nonstop until she pukes or is miserable. So I cut her off and now she's asking for food every 30 minutes or so. I don't want to tell her no, especially since she is still technically underweight, but I don't think she's eating because she's hungry.

I asked her why she wants another snack and she says shes hungry. So I asked her what does hungry mean. She says she doesn't know, she just likes whatever snack she's wanting.

Also she's allowed one 'junk' snack a day, everything else has to be healthy. If she wants another junk snack and I tell her she has to have a healthy one she doesn't accept the healthy snack or even keep asking. She'll just go find something else to do.

It's almost as if eating is an activity, like riding her bike or coloring.

I really don't know what to do. Dh wants to keep giving her snacks on demand to get weight on her now but I'm thinking about the long term effects, bad eating habits etc.

Oh and when we talked to her about overeating to the point of making herself sick we told her you only eat until your full. She said she doesn't know when she's full.

Wow, that's a tough one. Hunger and fullness -- how to explain it? D still eats barely enough, but when he's gone a long time without eating (like the day he was put under to have that rock taken out of his nose), he can really eat a lot, so I feel confident that he's able to understand what his body needs.

Have you spoken to her doctor about your concerns?

Wow, that's a tough one. Hunger and fullness -- how to explain it? D still eats barely enough, but when he's gone a long time without eating (like the day he was put under to have that rock taken out of his nose), he can really eat a lot, so I feel confident that he's able to understand what his body needs.

Have you spoken to her doctor about your concerns?


Not yet. This only came up in the past couple weeks. She has an appt next month so I'll bring it up then.

:sad5: Wow, Lena...I don't even know. With Ava and the rest of the kiddos on continuous feeds, I've often wondered whether they know what it means to feel "hungry" or "full". I know that hunger and satiety are "brain-based" and not really based on the stomach per se. Having been bulimic myself, I really, really worry about Ava in the future and what's going to happen.

Please let me know what the docs say. :hug: I'm wondering if they might refer to a child psychologist???

Could it simply be that she is going through a growth spurt? My oldest DS had a *serious* growth spurt this past summer and gained...I kid you not...10 entire pounds!! He was constantly hungry it seemed. He was wearing a size 6 at the end of school last year and jumped to a size 8 by the time school started this fall.

Best wishes, Lena! I hope there is nothing serious with Maggie :sad5: :hug:

I have nothing to offer on this....I would definitely get the GI involved though if she continues to act this way:hug:

OMG! Lena
Eric does the same thing!
I was just telling Pierre last night that I'm worried that he doesn't know hungry or full and we are gonna have an obese young man some day if these habits continue. Pierre said "Let him go at least he's eating and we won't be told he's under weight anymore!"

We have the same healthy snack rule too ;)

In the morning Eric is too nauseated to eat very well, but look out after lunch. It's almost like eating starts the binge, he'll get all refluxy, and still want more. "What can I have?!" every 2 seconds!

"Baby, you just had a peanut butter sandwich, and apple, a whole glass of milk, green beans, toast, candy, fruit snacks, etc. I think you've had enough. Aren't you full?!"
We have at least 2 arguments like this a day.
and he acts like I'm starving him when I say no
It does a huge number on my head. I HATE it!!!

He also treats eating like an activity. It can easily be replaced by play doh or crayons, painting etc. In his mind these things are all the same. I know he honestly doesn't know what hunger is. Sometimes he'll get nauseated swinging or playing at the park, and say "I feel like my belly is hungry. I think I need to eat." Even if we just got done eating KWIM?

I plan on talking to both the GI and the pedi about this, because I honestly don't know how to handle it. Should I let him go? With his history I feel like it's the only thing I can do, but....

I do cut him off all food 3 hours before bed, and some days it's very difficult, but if I don't there's NO WAY he'll sleep.