How much feed does a newborn need!

[Thesawdust]

Hi, new to all this with a 8 day old DS. We're mix feeding ExpBF and FF.

However he always seems hungry for the past few days. Can you over feed a baby! He seems to sleep better after straight from breast or FF, about 5 hours at one point. (We didn't wake up, we were shattered!)

We've upped his feed slightly from a 70ml if ExpBF to 80ml and a 90ml FF. but on occasion he's gone over 100ml without problem. All nappies ok and frequent. He is struggling with wind and settling him now though as he does guzzle.

Any tips much appreciated.

[Thesawdust]

Also he's birth weight was 8lb 10 and expect he's back up to this although did lose quite a bit whilst in hospital.

[misslaughalot]

Congratulations on your DS!

It could be that he's going through his first growth spurt. I'm breastfeeding DS (5 weeks old) so can't say how much milk he has at each feed (absolutely no idea in ml!) but some days it's definitely more than others. If he needs it then give it to him not at all jealous that you've had a 5 hour stretch of sleep

[Thesawdust]

Thanks. It would indeed explain everything.

[ChatEnOeuf]

At that weight, probably 5-600ml/d, divided into 6-8 feeds depending on appetite. But they're all different, and will vary according to appetite, phases of the moon, growth and attitude. You can overfeed them, especially from a bottle, but they usually throw up what they don't need :)