How much formula?

[Metstark]

Hi, I just started my 4 mth old ds on rice cereal for breakfast and lunch (about 2 tsp each serving) on the advice of my doctor, but I am confused as to how much formula he should be getting also. He is a very large baby, 20 lbs 8 oz, which is why my doctor wanted to start him on solids so he isn't guzzling so much formula. He was drinking 6-8 oz 4 times a day and an additional bottle (of the same amount) at around 11 pm. I was instructed to drop the 11 pm feed, which has been fine with ds, he just goes back to sleep with his paci. So now he only has 4 bottles a day. I don't want this to be counterproductive, in that I am giving him even more calories with the cereal feedings and a large bottle, but I don't know what to do. My lo doesn't show signs of fullness. I read that babies just know how much to drink, but he drinks too much and then cries for more, then he will spit up a lot. If I distract him he is fine and forgets about the bottle and doesn't act hungry so I think he just likes having the bottle for comfort. I have been giving him less in his bottles, around 4-5 oz when I feed him the cereal, but I am keeping the other 2 bottles the same, does this sound right? Do I slowly give more cereal and less bottle? How low does the amount of the bottle have to go? It is really hard to judge this because it seems I have been overfeeding him all along!! Someone please help!

[*Natasha*]

His formula is the most important for him so try and get as much into him as you possible can. Can i ask the reason your doctor suggested putting him on solids so young? Could you post your routine please with amounts of formula her feed.

[Metstark]

Hi, I assume since he is gaining weight really fast that the doctor thought it would be best to put him on solids and cut back on the formula. He seems to like the rice cereal a lot and can eat it easily. Our routine is as follows

7am -2 tsp cereal 6-7 oz bottle

7:30 A

9- nap(usually for only 30-45 min )

11am-2 tsp cereal 5 oz bottle

11:30 A

1pm- nap

3pm- 6-7 oz bottle

3:30 A

4:30 catnap in stroller on walk

6:00 bath

6:30- 6-7 oz bottle

7-bedtime

I was giving him a bottle at 11 pm, but stopped on the advice of the doctor. My lo seems to be sleeping just as fine without the extra bottle. I think he was waking then and I was automatically feeding him when he didn't need it. If he does wake, I just change his diaper and lay him back down and he goes back to sleep sometimes with or without his paci. He doesn't give off full ques and I have given him 9 oz at a feeding before and he will drink it down happily and then spit up a lot after over and over. It is hard for me to judge. I believe he likes the comforting of the bottle too and that is what leads to the overfeeding!

[*Natasha*]

The amount of formula you are giving looks fine to me. At 4months my DD was only having 4 bottles a day.

[Metstark]

Ok, Thanks!

[bellymum]

Hey
That sounds fabulous that he sleeps through 12 hours without needing any food (even with the paci at 11pm, that is just great, congratulations!).
My 4 1/2 month old was sleeping through from 7pm till 5am with a DF at 11pm from about 3months until about 4 months  but suddenly regressed and is now again waking every 3-4 hours for feeds in the night. He is also a big baby and weighs about 18 pounds now.

I think I am going to see if I try what you did with the changing the diaper and giving the paci when he wakes around 11pm and see what happens.
I must say, my doctor too told me initially that he cant get too much so feed him until he doesnt want anymore and I ended up overfeeding him so much that he got really fat....so he did not stop when he was full! He also then spat up some of it.
Then the pediatrician told me not to exceed 32 oz per day and also told me at 4months to start solids. For the moment, he does not like taking the cereal on aaspoon and since I have read its a really bad idea to give it in the bottle, I have just left it for the moment. I read that they need the formula nutrients a lot more than the unnutritious rice cereal.

But I really need to achieve 2 things:

1. sleeping through the night again
2. longer naps as my son suffers from the 45 minute thing.

If anyone can help I'd be really appreciative.

Hi, I assume since he is gaining weight really fast that the doctor thought it would be best to put him on solids and cut back on the formula. He seems to like the rice cereal a lot and can eat it easily. Our routine is as follows

7am -2 tsp cereal 6-7 oz bottle

7:30 A

9- nap(usually for only 30-45 min )

11am-2 tsp cereal 5 oz bottle

11:30 A

1pm- nap

3pm- 6-7 oz bottle

3:30 A

4:30 catnap in stroller on walk

6:00 bath

6:30- 6-7 oz bottle

7-bedtime

I was giving him a bottle at 11 pm, but stopped on the advice of the doctor. My lo seems to be sleeping just as fine without the extra bottle. I think he was waking then and I was automatically feeding him when he didn't need it. If he does wake, I just change his diaper and lay him back down and he goes back to sleep sometimes with or without his paci. He doesn't give off full ques and I have given him 9 oz at a feeding before and he will drink it down happily and then spit up a lot after over and over. It is hard for me to judge. I believe he likes the comforting of the bottle too and that is what leads to the overfeeding!

[bellymum]

My schedule is something like this right now:

6.15 am   Breast feed until we fall off to sleep on the breast in my bed till about 7.45am
7.45 A
9.45 - 10.30 nap
10.30am  Formula 4.5 or 5 oz max
11 A
1pm - 1.45 nap
A
3pm  Formula 4 oz
A
3.45pm -4.30pm  nap
6.pm  Formula 4 oz
A
6.30pm bath ritual with massage
7.15pm Formula 3.5 oz
7.30 pm bed
10 pm Formula 2 oz
3am Formula 3 oz

[samijoe]

all you need to do is switch to a proper 4 hour EASY.  The 3 hr EASY is not what he needs anymore.
by doing that you will fix the 45 min. naps, and he will once again sleep thru the night.
 

[bellymum]

Wow Samijoe, your confidence gives me a lot of hoep. Thanks I am going to do that immediately.
Will keep ya posted.

[samijoe]

The 4 hr EASY has longer A times...which in turn will make him hungrier to take the feedings of a proper size.  I've seen lots of great advice given to you...

Now take it and run with it!
Tracy's book does have a transition from 3 to 4hr to follow...um...it takes 15 days i believe. 

good luck.

[samijoe]

oh metstark:
i want to say that at 4 months my lo was only on 4 bottles and no df.

keep up the great work!

[bellymum]

The 4 hr EASY has longer A times...which in turn will make him hungrier to take the feedings of a proper size.  I've seen lots of great advice given to you...

Now take it and run with it!
Tracy's book does have a transition from 3 to 4hr to follow...um...it takes 15 days i believe. 

good luck.

Samijoe, is this the first baby wwhisperer book you refer to or should I be reading another one?

[samijoe]

Um,
mines called The Baby Whisperer...Solves All Your Problems..it is the latest one i think.

[bellymum]

Just wanted to let you guys know that yesterday I moved to the 4 hour EASY, really easily! The first gap was 3 3/4 hours and the next was after 4 hours without a problem. As a result he ate 7oz!!! and 7.5 oz at the next!!! Needless to say I am delighted.

I also only settle dhim in the night (after a DF at 10.30 of 4 oz) instead of feeding him. It worked, although he kept me up a lot as he was rolling over and crying many times, as he could not get back. But he finally woke again at 6.15 am and I fed him.

So thank you very much.

[Metstark]

Hi, I haven't been on the website for a couple weeks and was surprised at all the new posts under this topic! That's great! I am happy to report that ds is still sleeping 12 hrs (with occasional night wakings for paci, but then right back to sleep . He is also starting to nap longer through the day, up to 1.5 hrs! He is still on 4 bottles and goes all night without any feeding. He seems to be very happy on this routine! Thanks again for the advice!