snowdeal.org > ex machina: the eric update - day 542: on becoming a Grazing Toddler

ex machina

the eric update - day 542: on becoming a Grazing Toddler

during odin's developmental assessment in addition to being chastized for letting odin drink from and walk around with a bottle we were also gently chided when it was discovered that we let odin eat meals while not in his highchair. the mantra seemed to be that as a parent you determine where, when and what a child will eat and they determine how much they want. and grazing away from the table is not something to be encouraged since it can lead to endless snacking and poor eating habits.

but our increasingly on-the-go toddler seems less and less interested in being constrained in his highchair and it seems like it can't be that detrimental as long as you're providing healthy eating options.

although the developmental specialist was adament about the issue, opinions are split at babycenter on the topic and another site encourages grazing as a healthy habit as does dr. sears.

so, is grazing away from the table A Good Thing, or not?

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12/28/2005 04:35:00 PM 3 comments

3 Comments:

Grazing away from the table is probably not a good thing but that is the only way we can get my 22 month old to eat lunch. He's too busy to be bothered with sitting down to eat. He has toys to play with, dogs to terrorize!

At this age I really don't see the harm. As long as they are getting what they need there is plenty of time to teach good habits.

By Shannon, at 5:20 PM

The best we've managed is that food is eaten at the table. The middle one is old enough that he goes into the kitchen, finds his food, and takes it to the table whenever he wants. The oldest has turned out ok despite even worse habits (like grazing at the couch all day long), and just comes and eats at the table whenever we put something there.

Of course I'm over 30 and I graze at the computer all day, so I'm not a very good example.

By Derek, at 1:53 AM

Meals are eating at the table in his booster seat, but we let my son have his snacks in the living room most of the time. We eat in the living room all the time, so we can hardly chastise him for it!

By amy, at 3:04 PM

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“"it is hard to be brave," said piglet, sniffing slightly, "when you're only a Very Small Animal." rabbit, who had begun to write very busily, looked up and said: "it is because you are a very small animal that you will be Useful in the adventure before us."”

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this site chronicles the continuing adventures of my son, odin, who was unexpectedly born on the fourth of july at 25 weeks gestation, weighing 1 pound 7 ounces.

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