9 week old on 3.5 hour EASY- how much formula?

[josie30]

Hi,
i ws just wondering how much your LO's take at each feed. The instructions on the carton say for her age to feed 5 x 6oz feeds a day but my DD cannot take that much milk in one go! she tends to take 3-4 ozs, 5 very rarely. I think i'm worried that she's not taking enough but if i try to get her to take more she is sick so she obviously doesn't want it. She feeds at approx, 7, 10.30, 2, 5 and 7 then dreamfeed at 11.

I think i'm just a bit neurotic and constantly worried that she isn't getting enough milk, though the health visitor assures me her weight etc is fine! I am wondering if she would be better on a 3 hour EASY and taking more, smaller feeds as her A times aren't really long enough to suit the 3.5 hour.

[*Kara*]

Don't worry about what the package says   She will take what she needs.

At 2 months, my DD would take about 4 ozs every 3 - 3.5 hours with no dreamfeed... we had one night feed of 4 ozs.

As a general rule of thumb, babies take between 2 - 2.5 ozs per pound of weight... some are a bit lower, some a bit higher

Babies know how much they need

[Lolly]

I agree with Kara - babies take what they need! I had two big babies, and DD in particular has been on the 91st centile since shortly sfter birth but the most they took was around 25oz a day and that was pre solids. I have 2 refluxers, but they grew just fine on an amount of milk considerably less than their weight indicated they need!

If she is gaining weigh steadily sticking to a curve, has plenty of wet and some dirty nappies then she is getting what she needs. You could try 3 hour feeds again, but if she is used to 3.5 hour you may find she takes less overall. A 3 hour EASY is more appropriate for her age but gormula fed babies often need longer between feeds before they are able to do the A time so it does get a bit messy around 3 months. How many feeds does she have overnight? Have you tried a faster teat recently - that can help them take a bit more.

Laura

[josie30]

 How many feeds does she have overnight? Have you tried a faster teat recently - that can help them take a bit more.

Laura
[/quote]

I did wonder if the fact she is formula fed might have something to do with it. She has a dreamfeed at 11, usually 4ozs then she wakes to feed at 3 and takes another 4ozs. she then sleeps through until 6/6.30 ish.

[josie30]

Don't worry about what the package says   She will take what she needs.

At 2 months, my DD would take about 4 ozs every 3 - 3.5 hours with no dreamfeed... we had one night feed of 4 ozs.

As a general rule of thumb, babies take between 2 - 2.5 ozs per pound of weight... some are a bit lower, some a bit higher

Babies know how much they need

thanks

[*Kara*]

You are very welcome   If it makes you feel better, I have an 8 month old on a hunger strike right now... I would be thrilled if she took a 4 oz bottle

[SabrinaD]

My LO would take between 3 and 4oz, I just now started making 5oz bottles and she is 13 weeks. My doctor was telling me at 2 months that I was feeding her too much. He is such an idiot. He made me drop down to 3oz and said that would stop her spitting up. Instead when the bottle was empty and she was still crying he expected me to pretty much say "oh well, bottle is done, ur done!" i did it twice and then dumped that idea, i would so rather deal with spit up then a hungry baby not getting satisfied. it all depends on the baby, if they are done they will either let you know by pushing away or by spitting up a lot afterwards. just play with it =) if u feel like she can take more then make more, and if she doesnt want it she will let u know.
Good luck! you are an amazing mom!
-sabrina

[*Kara*]

Sabrina - sounds like your stupid doctor went to medical school with the idiot we go to  

Babies will not overeat... they take what they need and they spit up because the valve at the top of their stomachs isn't fully developed until about 6 months of age

[SabrinaD]

yes my doctor is such a tool! haha he says such stupid things sometimes. before i found this website i asked why she only sleeps for 45minutes and he says "make her cry herself to sleep" or to "hold her to sleep, babies dont form habits until 4 months"

the best advice i get is "trust your gut, you are the mom" as long as babies are getting enough wet diapers and not crying for more food afterwards, they are getting plenty =)

[*Kara*]

I really doubt that a baby has a habit forming ability at 4 months... idiot.