No idea! Lots of questions on feeding a newborn!

[EekyBeaky]

Not sure if this is where I should post this... But I am currently feeding a 3 week old, now 6 11 Oz baby every 3 hours. Mixed formula and BF. When do I stretch out the feeds more? I am having to wake occasionally. Feel like I have no idea what I am doing! Baby back past birth weight. How much should baby be drinking? Baby seems to want to feed all the time between 7-midnight - is this normal?! Sorry for the question overload - tired and confused!

[queenofthepirates]

Relax and take cues from baby as to how much they want- it will change and as you are about to find out, just when you think you have a hang of this parenting lark, they change the rules. Seriously though, go with the flow and be prepared for a feeding frenzy soon when they have a growth spurt.

Congrats btw!

[Sid77]

Firstly, it's normal to feed a lot in the evening, they're building up for a longer period of sleep. It's called cluster feeding. If your baby is past birth weight and gaining well, I wouldn't worry too much about waking for feeds, I'd just feed on demand; when they want and how much they want. My 5 month old is still feeding about every 3 hours - it's just what he needs and I go with it. I'm not qualified in any way, btw, this is just my experience. There are many good websites (look up kellymom) re feeding, also lots of info on mumsnet. Good luck OP!

[AnythingNotEverything]

There a breast and bottle feeding topic in Feed The World big you repost there you'll find some experts ready to help you

In the meantime, just feed on demand, at least every four hours for now.

You don't say why you're mix feeding (and you may not want any help either way!) but the volume of milk may be different for each type. With direct breastfeeding you have no idea how much baby takes - you just offer and let them have as much as you want. With bottle feeding I think you loosely follow the guidelines on the side of the box!

Repost in the feeding section and see what they say.

Cluster feeding is completely normal. You'll feel like you've no milk left in your breasts but you do - don't panic.

[DelBot123]

My 4 mo ebf feeds every 1-2 hours in the day and every 2-3 hours at night. You might not know what you're doing but your lo does so just follow their lead, then it's impossible to get it wrong. Good luck and enjoy xx

[EekyBeaky]

Thanks so much girls. Mixed feeding because milk supply isn't great (trying to build up by putting baby to breast every feed and expressing). I'm pretty sure baby has collic too. Happy as Larry but then doubles up and screams - evenings only. I wonder if part of the constant feeding is baby self-soothing colic pains? It's not nice to watch. Should I go to GP or try Infacol over the counter?

[Blankiefan]

Infacol can help but it doesn't work straight away - it has to build up in baby's system. It worked for us (after a few days) but doesn't for everyone. There are other options ( look up Colief, for example).

Are you getting good support from your Health Visitor? I was dubious about how good they would be but mine we're amazing. Really helpful. If you need a bit of extra help, they should be happy to spend more time with you...

Good luck

[DelBot123]

Go to the Drs to put your mond at rest. If you're bf then colief is a faf and as a Scientist there's no way it can work the way it claims. Although anecdotal evidence suggests it does clinical trials show no efficacy. I wonder how much of its effect is placebo. If you're trying to get your supply up you might be too quick to put lo on the next breaat thereby giving too much of the foremilk which contains higher lactose levels, this can irritate their tummy. I did this and my lo got colic. I used infracol and kept her on one breast per feed to ensure she got the hind milk. Her colic went after a week. Could consider changing formula! ? As above says see your hv ( if they're good; hate mine!) or Dr