Is this enough?

My son is 16months and the pediatrician told us he isn’t where she wants him to be with weight(I think it’s bs he’s just a small kid/his bmi is like 16) but it really made me wonder maybe I should feed him more than I do? Some days he will eat a ton or want more which I always give him but some days he’s just meh about it. So this is about the average of what he eats at each meal and sometimes he will get a midday snack of cheerios or a nutrigrain bar plus about 25oz of whole milk a day. Food has never been an issue for us EVER which is why what she said confused me. he will eat anything I put in front of him pretty much but if he’s not hungry he won’t eat That’s it and I don’t force him. I think he eats fine and his weight isn’t a concern but I’m wondering if other toddlers eat more than this for each meal.
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I would take advice given by a paediatrician that uses BMI with a grain of salt.BMI is based on a fully grown male adult. If you are worried, get a second opinion. My 3.5 year old eats some days amounts that would just keep a sparrow alive, other days she eats as much as my husband. We follow her lead as well.

I wouldn’t take much notice of what the paediatrician has said as for some of them it is a tick list job… unless there are real concerns regarding your sons eating habits and health (eg digestion) yes that is enough for 1 portion and I’d assume if he asked for more or was still hungry you would offer more. IF you were worried he might be hungrier in between meals you could try offering healthy fats x

Sounds like he’s having a bit too much milk to me, the maximum they’re meant ti have is 24oz. Mine is 20 months and has 1, 9oz bottle a day, 3 meals which he doesn’t always eat all 3 full meals, but I do offer him 1-2 snacks. He’s a healthy weight too.

Less milk Plate looks fine, if he eats it all, offer more Toddlers need to eat every 2 hours. Are you feeding him enough times per day?

I’d definitely cut down the amount of milk he’s having and introduce more snacks regularly throughout the day

What @Ella said.. This may be helpful too https://www.kidspot.com.au/health/early-life-nutrition/features/an-ideal-food-day-for-a-toddler/news-story/651f430e61c0ca923b054deee087a1dc?utm_source=Kidspot&utm_medium=Google&utm_campaign=DSA&utm_source=SEM&utm_medium=PPC_SEM&utm_campaign={campaign}&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxea5BhBeEiwAh4t5K-qGsrYBqjmrL44FAeYg6xQRKr_kgdbzmwZJ8PWlPh1p9HrDUp3BLxoCRAMQAvD_BwE

I give my daughter things like a piece if block cheese, a pickle or two, squeezeys ( the juice and puree in a capri sun packaging ) chex mix, a piece of garlic bread, crackers and hummus, nutella bead, grapes etc. She wants whatever I'm eating. I feel like some days I am the one not eating well but its hard to say no to a sweet toddler wanting her mommy's snacks!

@Yasmin most of his milk consumption is at night/ to get back to sleep. I think it’s more comfort than hunger. Also it does vary. Some days he will barely want milk and some days it’s like he’s milk crazy. It’s hard to gauge it but 25 is a milk crazy day, it’s more like 20 on a regular day.

@Lyndsey yup! Mamas food always tastes better. This was what I served him tonight and I was still sitting and eating when he was done but I let him get out of the high chair & he ended up standing next to me eating 2 more giant pieces of my kielbasa. Right off my plate with no shame. This is the regular pretty much. If I’m still eating even if it’s the same thing he wants mine too.

Juniper gets bored in her seat so we have to signal all done to get down...its that or she wants to continue eating in the living room which ofc gets crumbs everywhere we which is more work again. Lol

Eventually you will want to cut out the milk at night because the sugar in the milk will keep him up at night. Offer milk in the morning or around snack time. He doesn’t need that much milk as a 1 year old. Thats about the amount of milk a baby will drink a day.

@JNyah that’s actually a really good point I hadn’t thought about. Everyone says because of cavities but keeping him up didnt even cross my mind. 9/10 times he gets a cup and falls right back asleep though but now im wondering about the times he doesn’t.

I wish my son would eat this

That looks like enough food to me. He doesn't need to eat every two hours. 3x with snacks. At that age , they are still exploring food and may not always want what's offered. Maybe offer less milk or a different milk than whole milk.

When he wakes have you tried offering water? I often find my baby is thirsty and will have water and drop off back to sleep half the time. The other half he is hungry so I’ll breastfeed him back to sleep but may be worth exploring. Would eliminate the sugar at night and also less milk at night may make him more hungry during the day x

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@Yasmin yeah I’ve tried water unfortunately it doesn’t do the same for him as milk. However he also drinks the same amount of water a day as he does in milk. I actually had his blood sugar tested because I was so worried about his excessive liquid intake. He’s fine. Just thirsty.

@Steamtrane Family I hope you’ll get there 🙏🏻

My 1 year old would eat this if not more some days at dinner time but he is a machine with food...other days like you he doesnt want to eat as much and picks like a sparrow not to mention he wont touch a drop of cows milk even with formula docs are at an end with it..... (i still have to give formula follow on to sub and loads of yoghurt)

I give my 12 month old more food than that, it’s okay because they will stop when they are full! Also you can give him more snacks during the day too (at least 2-3). And my pediatrician said no more than 16 ounces whole milk a day. You’re doing great mama!!

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