Thursday, January 3, 2008

and the beat goes on

the latest challenge in our on-going saga is that the meds Sam takes for ADHD seriously suppress her appetite during the days. So she eats like a bird.

Then in the middle of the night when all the ADHD meds have finally metabolized out of her body - she wakes starving.

So she gets up and helps herself to whatever she'd like. I don't keep a lot of candy, cake and cookies in the house. But if there are any - that, of course, is what she eats.

Instead of telling her she cannot eat, we tried putting a package of peanut butter crackers on the kitchen counter for her every night before we go to bed. So when she does wake up, she does not have to forage for something.

And she eats the crackers, most times in bed or on the couch. It's like she is eating in her sleep. I have told her and told her that it is okay if she eats at night - as longs as she does it in the kitchen.

and after the crackers - she then usually goes for something more...

I know that eating at night is not a good habit to develop. but she is very lean. This does not strike me as a binge type thing - but as a very real physical need for food.

And yes, we insist that she try to eat more during the day time.
And sometimes that helps.

Still trying to figure this one out.
I don't really want to have to put a lock on the pantry...

reckon I will talk with her shrink about this next week.

2 comments:

Not Fainthearted said...

Mothers always obsess about their children eating enough. I know I did/do. It must be hard to see her so thin and not have any way to change it.

Hopefully the doc will have a suggestion.

Wien. said...

I'd also ask her regular doctor as well as her therapist. What about a thick banana or strawberry shake to fill her up, waiting for her in the fridge? It's just a thought and maybe a bit more on the healthy side.

I totally understand your concerns about night time eating.