ADHD runs in both our families, DH and mine, and no one binges during the night.

Since ADHD is often comorbid with anxiety and insomnia, I would surmise that your kids are ANXIOUS and eating to comfort themselves. And because of their ADHD, they have a hard time saying no to themselves or limiting themselves to just one cookie.

First, you haul them to their pediatrician, whom you will have warned in advance, and she or he has a firm conversation with them about healthy eating, being overweight, and having diabetes.

Second, you deal with their anxiety at bedtime. It's normal to feel anxious at bedtime because that's when people have nothing to do but stress if sleep eludes them. They need techniques to calm themselves down and routine before bed that is very calming.

Physical exercise daily.
No screens 2 hours before bed, but also nothing of an exciting nature.
Inside voices, no picking fights, no running around trying to prep for the next day in front of your kids.

Always the same bedtime routine. A little reading in bed, perhaps, but books that are not scary. You can do the reading if it makes them happy to have a parent tell the story.

Sleep aids:
Melatonin
Warm milk
Magnesium (Calm is a well-known powder with magnesium)
Relaxing music

And yes, lock the cupboard while you set this all up.

Have you considered medication?

Anonymous wrote:We went through this too. We pad locked the pantry. It was ugly to look at but we had to do it. I put snacks I wanted them to eat in rubbermaid containers left on the counter and told them they could help themselves to whatever was in the refrigerator. I made sure NOT to stock that with junk.

By high school they finally outgrew binge eating.

Can you share what you left out in containers that was healthier and not perishable? Looking for suggestions.

Op, I am very sorry you’re dealing with this but I am glad you posted because I am dealing with the same thing with my 9 year old DD. I didn’t realize this could be related to her ADHD. She got into a bad habit of eating nonstop once her meds had worn off in the afternoon. Shes gained weight. I’m worried for her. It’s amazing to me how fast she can inhale food. I made a new family rule that she cannot eat while watching tv or using her computer. Hasn’t made much difference.

We went through this too. We pad locked the pantry. It was ugly to look at but we had to do it. I put snacks I wanted them to eat in rubbermaid containers left on the counter and told them they could help themselves to whatever was in the refrigerator. I made sure NOT to stock that with junk.

By high school they finally outgrew binge eating.

When I was a kid my dad put a lock on the basement fridge. There were no special needs in the house he just thought we ate too much.

Agree that a lock may be appropriate to break the cycle and get them back on track with healthier bedtime and snacking habits. Agree that perhaps a filling low sugar snack before bedtime would help. Peanut butter and apple slices, cottage cheese on celery, carrots and hummus. Cheese stick. Egg sandwich. If they will eat that stuff. If they are addicted to sugar they may not. Another option is to leave approved snack items out - clementines, grapes, blueberries, applies, peanut butter crackers. Still sugary but maybe better?

Anonymous wrote:I know have an afternoon babysitter for my 9 and 10 year old instead of after school care, and I have noticed that they snack the entire time with the babysitter. I've stopped buying snack foods. Now, they are baking cupcakes, etc. which is even worse because they trash the kitchen. I'm at the wits end as well because 1. it's not healthy. 2. I end up spending 30-40 minutes cleaning the kitchen when I get home before I can start dinner. My 10 year old has ADHD and is very challenging to manage so I don't want to set unrealistic expectations for the babysitter knowing how one of my children behaves. I'm following this thread closely.

OP here and yes I can commiserate. Up until a couple months ago we had an au pair who was watching the kids after school and it was the same thing. They would literally snack nonstop for two hours in front of the TV until I got home to make dinners. Then they wouldn’t eat dinner and would be up snacking again all night. When au pairs Year was up we now have them in extended day which helps avoid that issue. I will only use extended day now. It’s much less convenient for me having to do pickup, but at least there they are playing and doing arts and crafts and sports and activities instead of screens and noshing. Our AP didn’t even bake with them. But yes... the mess would have driven me bonkers and I would have had to say something. I think the PPs offer helpful suggestions. Maybe they can bake or make healthier things like granola bars with honey, something with nut butter, or geesh take them bike riding.

Anonymous wrote:If they are getting up in the middle of the night, I think it makes good sense to lock the pantry- you don't need to do it forever, just until the habits change.

I agree with the pp that you need to give them a high protein snack before bed.

FWIW, if I keep a bunch of cookies and chips in the house with my DS12 (adhd) it's gone within 48 hours. While it's an ADHD problem, it's also a problem for growing kids who like to snack.

Op here. Yes I will try a high protein snack before bed. What do folks suggest?

OP here. No meds. Just supplements like focus factor and one was taking Vayarin which is just intensified omegas. I do sometimes give them Benedryl or melatonin per pediatrician suggestion. But they are not on anything prescription.

You could get a chime for their bedroom door if you keep it closed so you know when they get up.

OP, are they on meds? Could the binging/ food craving be a side effect?

We switched out our pantry door handle with one that can be locked with a key. We found it at Home Depot.

If they are getting up in the middle of the night, I think it makes good sense to lock the pantry- you don't need to do it forever, just until the habits change.

I agree with the pp that you need to give them a high protein snack before bed.

FWIW, if I keep a bunch of cookies and chips in the house with my DS12 (adhd) it's gone within 48 hours. While it's an ADHD problem, it's also a problem for growing kids who like to snack.

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried a substantial snack before bedtime? Maybe something like pbj sandwich?

I would try that along with a lock. It doesn’t sound like they’re picky about what they’re eating, so I don’t think the “don’t buy it” advice would work anyway.

This, try a snack before bed. I would also limit what I buy.