6 week left formal feeding - have also posted in infant feeding

[Summerdays2014]

Hi all, how much do/did/would you feed your 6 week old and how often do you feed them? I know the guidelines are 150-200ml per kg of weight but do you stick to this? He weighed 8.13 just over 4kg last week. I'm really confused about what to do and my health visitor is not particularly helpful. I'm really struggling with anxiety and have found the first few weeks very tough. I love him so much I just want to get everything right and make sure he is happy, which I'm not sure he is... Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Why do you think he is unhappy Summer?

Just so you know, the guidelines on the carton are just that, guidelines. Some babies, especially tall ones, will take more. Some will take less. Let your baby guide you

[winchester1]

Mine took a lot more than it said on the carton and never got over weight. My partners tall and I'm short so I think the kid needed it to catch up to his natural size.

Is your baby crying a lot after food, having difficulty sleeping -,what makes you think they aren't happy?

[Summerdays2014]

Hi both, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. In terms of not seeming happy I don't know... I haven't had a smile yet (I know it's early days) and he seems to spend most of his awake time crying. We do get some nice play time after he has fed but then back to the crying. I'm giving him infacol in case it's colic. I just feel so anxious about everything. I have told my HV this and she said just keep an eye on it as did my GP. I feel like we should be in a routine and we're not yet. He doesn't nap during the day (unless on me) although he sleeps quite well at night in general. Sorry, this has turned into a bit of a ramble... Thanks again for replying.

[Cathster]

The early weeks are tough, and I remember that anxiety about everything.

It is very early for a smile so don't worry about that. In a few weeks you will probably be seeing it all the time!

My DD is 5 months and has yet to form a proper routine although it is slowly getting there. I definitely wouldn't expect a routine at 6 weeks! Some babies fall into them quickly but it is not unusual or concerning that you don't have one.

He is still tiny and needs cuddles so napping just on you in the day is also normal. That's really good he's sleeping well at night! my 5 mo still naps on me in the day although she will go in her cot if I put her down - I just enjoy the cuddles too much! I have just got a sling which is a godsend, so maybe check a sling library out?

How long is he awake in the day?

How does he act while/after feeding? I.e is he crying during a feed, being sick etc or is he ok?

Don't worry if he doesn't follow the carton guidelines exactly either. Some babies take more, some take less. As long as he is following his percentile and gaining weight ok there is no reason to worry.

[winchester1]

Try putting him down earlier ( so sooner after he last woke) his crying sounds more like he is overtired than to do with feeding.
You could try rocking him in his pram for his naps.

If he is finishing up.his bottles make them a bit bigger and see how he gets on, normally you want them to not quite finish the bottle so.you know they aren't hungry.

Its a bit early for smiling but he is happy with you and calm enough to sleep on you that's a content baby you have there.

[ODog]

All of what you have just said seems totally normal to me. Small babies cry a lot for lots of reasons and often it's just because they are still adjusting to their new world and need to be held/rocked/soothed by their mum. Obviously some babies do have genuine feeding issues that cause them to cry but often this is not the case. Keep an eye on it and go with your instincts. Napping on you is also very normal. My DS only napped on me for about 6mo. Google the fourth trimester as it should give you some understanding of how big an adjustment life after womb is. It massively helped me to realise a lot of my newborn's behaviours were very normal.

With regards to amounts I can't help too much as I was BF at that age but as pp has said they are lol different so just feed on demand. Is let him have asich as he wants, as often as he wants it.

Sounds like you are doing a great job though and do get RL help if you think your anxiety is becoming unmanageable.

[Summerdays2014]

Thanks all, I very much appreciate your responses.