IIt is important to recognize your child’s hunger and fullness cues. Knowing these cues will help you guide your child. Teaching your child to trust their cues will help them create healthy eating habits early in their life. They will eat when they are hungry. They will also eat the right amount if they know when they are full. Hunger and fullness cues are feelings and you may not be able to see them.
Hunger Cues
- Stomach making noise
- Feeling
- grumpiness
- tired
- not interested in activities
- Your child may also:
- point at foods they want to eat (with other signs of hunger)
- ask for specific foods
- say or sign “hungry” or “more”
- point at foods they want to eat (with other signs of hunger)
Fullness Cues
- Full stomach
- Feeling
- focused
- energized
- stronger
- comfortable
- content/happy
- focused
- Your child may also:
- make mealtime playtime (with other signs of fullness)
- get distracted easily (with other signs of fullness)
- say or sign “no”
- push food away
- make mealtime playtime (with other signs of fullness)
Good behavior rewards
Food should not be used as a reward or a bribe. Reward good behavior by talking to your child, taking walks, having fun bath-time, coloring, or reading. You can also try sensory activities like smelling flowers or blowing bubbles. A common scenario is, “If you eat dinner, we will have ice cream” or “If you clean up your toys, you can have a snack.” Food should be offered without judgment or expectations. Avoid making some foods “special” as your child may ask for these foods more often than you would like to offer them.
Food and emotions
It is important to model ways to relieve emotions and stress without food. Around 18 months, some toddlers experience strong emotions or temper tantrums. This can be frustrating. It can be tempting to offer your child their favorite foods to calm them down. To help your toddler, respond early to your toddler’s needs. Be patient, keep your voice calm, and your face relaxed. These strong emotions will not happen every day. They will have better control of their emotions around 3 or 4 years old.
Sign Language
Help your child communicate their needs using sign language. This resource offers a video link to many signs babies and children can use before they are able to use their words.