I think we are overfeeding our new born

[iamsuchatit]

DD is 12 days old and is formula fed currently. I am trying to establish breastfeeding but not having much luck.

She has aptamil and has about 6 bottles a day. We had been waking her up in the night for a feed but I don’t think she needs it. DH seems to just give her a bottle to shut her up 🙄 he says she wouldn’t eat if she wasn’t hungry but I thought it was a reflex?

We can’t really agree and he’s not being supportive about trying to establish breastfeeding either. Thankfully he’s back at work on Thursday.

Are we overfeeding her? She was 9 lb 1oz at birth and is now 8g off her birth weight.

[iamsuchatit]

If we have been overfeeding her, will there be any lasting damage

[NoUseNumber31]

Is she sick after you've fed her?

[dementedpixie]

How can you be overfeeding her if she isn't even back to her birth weight yet? You're supposed to feed on demand even if formula feeding. How much is she actually taking in 24 hours?

[LIZS]

I doubt it if she is not being sick. However it will be difficult to establish bf if she gets large bottlefeeds to a schedule. What are you trying?

[dementedpixie]

And you should still be waking her to feed if she hasn't regained birth weight yet

[Doghorsechicken]

You should be feeding on demand, if she wants it she’ll drink it.

[SoyDora]

My BF baby was over his birth weight by day 5 so I’d very much doubt you’re over feeding her. How many oz does she have in a bottle?
Feeding on demand pretty much means feeding when they cry at that age!
If you are offering bottles first at every feed I think you will struggle to establish breastfeeding, however.

[DonPablo]

I'd give a crying 12 day old baby a bottle too! So, I think you're being a wee bit unkind to your dh there.

You've got a brand new baby, it's not easy, no matter how much you love them and how lovely it all is, so be kind to yourself and each other.

Also, if in doubt, ask your midwife.

Congratulations on your tiny baby

[Hugtheduggee]

Little and often is what you need with feeding newborns. Ignore what it says on the box, 6 feeds a day for a newborn would be unusually infrequent feeding. 6 meals is just too few for a tiny tummy. At that age feeds varied from every 1-3 hours, at least 10 a day, though sometimes very small amounts.

Its very hard to overfeed a baby, as rhey tend to stop when they are full.

Your husband is right and you are wrong I'm afraid.

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

A 12 day old baby is extremely unlikely to be able to go through the night without a bottle.

You need to speak to a HV if you're so confused about feeding.

[Bananarama12]

Your husband is right. If baby is crying give a bottle, she won't take it if she doesn't want it.

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

6 times a day isn't much, I'd speak to your HV. If you'd like to establish breastfeeding then 6 bottles a day might also make it tricky. Is it a priority for you? If so, I'd suggest spending a few days on the sofa or in bed with a feeding top on, loads of snacks and drinks handy and Netflix/Kindle ready, putting her to the breast every time she cries, and then topping up with a bottle if she's had both sides and is still upset or seems hungry. Also definitely call your la Leche League or breastfeeding support if you can.

If you're not set on feeding, still do call your HV or midwife, you deserve help and support!

Congratulations on your new baby and hope all goes well

[sirmione16]

She would 100% need a bottle at night! Anything more than 4 hours without a feed at that age is far too long and the baby should be woken up. I have a 6 week old, so going through this and getting advice currently.

[MrsMcW]

@Hugtheduggee I disagree with you that 6 feeds a day is too little for a newborn - OP stated that her baby was over 9lbs at birth. My DS was similarly big, and we were recommended to go for roughly 4 hourly feedings from the outset. Bigger baby, bigger tummy.

OP, you're doing fine. At this early age you can't overfeed a baby unless you are coaxing her to finish a bottle each time. Be mindful of when she loses interest in the feed (turns head away etc) and shell be great. As for regaining birth weight, my DS was 100g over his birthweight by 2 weeks so I really wouldn't worry there!

[SnuggyBuggy]

They can really overfeed so young. I'd also recommend finding a BF support group. Is he due back at work soon?

[Sexnotgender]

Newborns tummy is the size of a marble so they can’t take much in one go, how much do you give per feed?

I’m Breastfeeding my 5 week old and he fed about 12 times per day in the first week. I’m on about feed number 4/5 today.

[Babdoc]

If she hasn’t regained birth weight by 12 days, you cannot possibly be overfeeding! Why do you fear that you are?
Formula milk forms curd in the baby’s stomach and fills them up for longer. You shouldn’t need to feed more often than four hourly. The calorie and nutrient content is carefully balanced for six feeds per 24 hours. It’s not like breast feeding, where some poor mothers end up “cluster feeding” for hours on end.
If your health visitor is happy with the weight gain then you’re doing fine.
Try not to get stressed over it, or involved in arguments with DH - newborns are hard enough work with the sleep deprivation etc!

[dementedpixie]

That is bad advice about feeding 4 hourly. Its advised to demand feed even if formula feeding. At that age mine only went 2-2.5 hours between feeds and that is normal.

[Chocolatecoffeeaddict]

If she's crying for feeds and finishing them, you're not over feeding her. How much is she taking at each feed?

[SpinningSister]

My 8 week old is having 8 4oz feeds approximately- on demand this is what he seems to ask for.

He’s got reflux so Seems happy after a smaller amount than ‘the box’ of C&G says but more often.

Formula is still on demand and even the box says may need more or less at a time and more or less frequently.

[Mixedupmummy]

are you expecting your 12 day old to go through the night without a feed? or are you trying to breastfeed instead of giving a bottle through the night?
if you are trying to bf that's a lot of bottles and you really need some urgent bfing support

[iamsuchatit]

Thanks all!

I probably am being unfair to him. Just wish I could breastfeed but I am trying :(

[LIZS]

Are you getting support to bf? Offering before each bottle, expressing ?

[Hugtheduggee]

Babdoc, ff babies can absolutely cluster feed if fed on demand (which is pretty much universally recommended at birth now).

Mine would go 4 hours ish at night from the beggining, about 3 hours in the day, but in the morning, would want feeding every 1-2 hours, sometimes almost constant grazing.

[Imacliche]

Mine fed every 2 to 2 and a half hours at this age
Day and night.. that to my estimates is at least 9 bottles a day