the difference between snacking and having snacks

If you're a Babywise follower like I am, you learn quickly that snacking is a no-no. 

You read that you don't want your baby to be a "snacker."  Snacking, in this sense, is defined as eating every 1-2 hours.  Snacking all day long is not what you're going for.  Not only is this just not a good habit, but it's hard on a breastfeeding mom and it doesn't lay the groundwork for good naps or a good schedule in general.  Sticking to a 2.5-3 hour schedule in the beginning is encouraged.  (Of course when growth spurts, sickness, or teething enter the picture, a 2 hour feeding schedule is not abnormal.)  Moving to a 3, 3.5, or 4 hour schedule later is encouraged. 

"Having a snack" comes into play when your child is getting their main nourishment from meals, not from milk (formula, breastmilk, or whole).  They start functioning like we do as adults.  If you have a mid-afternoon snack, why shouldn't your child?

This is not "snacking."  This is "having a snack."  When your child turns one, eating 3 meals a day and 1 mid-afternoon snack a day is normal.

Maybe for most of you this transition was not confusing.  As a rule follower, I just wanted to "do the right thing."  I thought, Oh no.  I've worked all this time on not creating a snacker and look at him.  He's eating a snack!  (I promise, I can be a sensible person sometimes.)

Anyway, I thought it was worth writing out.  Hope it helps some of you!