Formula fed baby eating erratically?!

[Peachy92]

Does anyone else's FF baby feed erratically? You'd think with a controlled amount rather than BF they'd have a more settled eating habit. But my son is 11 weeks old and has started eating randomly. 1 hour, 2 hours, 3,4,5 ... it's a constant guessing game how long it'll be which when you're trying to do bottles is hard to keep on top of! Was every 4 hours pretty much like clock work but now he seems awake so much, doesn't like to be in a chair or mat or swing for more than a few minutes so I'm constantly holding him and getting nothing done or going anywhere because he is asking for more food sometimes within an hour / hour half I barely have a chance to wash and sterilise bottles and eat a snack! I feel like I'm constantly guessing if he's hungry or not. He's only 8lbs2 so can't increase his scoops of sma yet either. Was 36 weeks when born and 6lbs.1 and in NICU for a week so he's not a big baby but he's very long with long gangly limbs so I'm not going to stop him eating. I just want to see if anyone has similar with a FF baby rather than BF?

Yes, my DS was exactly the same. I used to keep a log of feeds and some days he would have 15 feeds.
Honestly don't worry as he will sort himself out. Just out of interest why can't you increase the scoops? The info on the box is just a guide so you can make bigger bottles if you think that would help. Unfortunately my son never wanted big feeds just lots of little ones.
He got into more of a routine from about 4/5 months and now at 11 months is only having two bottles.

If he's finishing his bottles give him bigger bottles it's fine all babies are different.
Why wouldn't you increase?if he's hungry feed him.
I've had four formula fed babies and if you want him to go a bit longer wait til he has gone a decent amount of time between feed (eg after a nap) then give him a bigger bottle.
Also although I'm not saying don't feed him try a dummy (if your happy to) sometimes they just want the comfort of sucking.

Thanks both, it's reassuring to know he's ok! We did increase to 5 scoops but it seemed to be too much in one go as he was VERY full and seemed really uncomfortable and would get very upset during winding etc. So think he's happier having little and often while he's got a teeny tum like you said. As long as he gets what he needs that's the main thing. As his weight goes up a bit more and he can handle a bigger bottle will definitely increase👍😊

Oh and he has a dummy, unfortunately was in NICU for 1st week and they gave him one from day one as he was "feisty" and pulling his tubes out so they said it would sooth him

Studies show its beat to feed on demand and as much as he wants. He'll start his own little routine with time so don't stress. My son ate randomly also, but with time he started wanting a bottle every 3 hours then slowly he started drinking bigger bottles but I alsoways just respected when he was hungry.

My ds is 13weeks now & fed on sma. He was also born at 36 weeks & was only 5lbs 1. I asked the midwife about the amount of feed & she said it was one scoop of powder to one fluid ounce so I’ve never used the guide on the tin; he never matched the weights/ages on it. The midwife also said there should always be a little milk left in the bottle, that way you know he’s had enough.

@AngelaJ18 so how much did you start and increase by? As he never leaves any but often falls asleep as I get him to my shoulder to wind. He goes ballistic if I stop feeding to wipe his dribbles or try and wind him during his feed. Tried dummies during winding to stop him going crazy and I've increased his feed to 5 scoops 150ml water he still isn't leaving any. But I have been told some babies will eat and eat what they're given until they're sick a bit like puppies so I haven't wanted to fill a bottle and see what he will take as I think he'll take anything and then just be really uncomfortable and sick and then will be back to square one with knowing how much he actually ate...

I used 3 scoops to 3 ounces (approx 90ml) every three hours to start then gradually increased by one scoop/oz as he got bigger and hungrier. Ds also tries the whining/screaming fits when interrupted for winding occasionally so when he does I continue the feed & wind him afterwards. Even if he’s dozed off winding usually wakes him enough to burp then he’ll go back to sleep. He went through a stage of feeding every two hours rather then 3/4 he was managing. Are you sure he’s not just tired? Until recently I’ve not been using a dummy but my sister pointed out that ds is using the bottle as a dummy, drinking only a small amount then going to sleep holding the teat in his mouth. So maybe try giving him the dummy then popping him in the pram & taking him for a walk, see if he’ll settle. I’m assuming he’s your first so like me you’ve got quite a learning curve! Try not to stress too much, the two of you will find your routine in time. Make sure you’re taking some ‘me’ time, even if it’s just a ten minute shower. Trust me that helps!

Thank you that does help. That's exactly what we were doing so he was on 4oz 4 hourly for quite a while so think it's good he's gone to 5 now. He does fight sleep you can see he's tired but he'll start dozing and then out of nowhere jolt himself up and go beserk again. I could sit here and tell you how I go round in circles with good days / bad days / what works sometimes doesn't the next day, but I think that's just being a mum and all babies are different not robots! 👍👀

My ds does the same, just when you think he’s asleep he’s up again! He acted up for two weeks, we’re just regaining some semblance of routine now so hopefully yours will settle soon

New guidelines encourage responsive formula feeding, looking out for baby's hunger cues and signs of satiety, rather than going by the clock or trying to force them to ingest larger volumes of milk. You might find this resource helpful: www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/bottle-feeding-resources/infant-formula-responsive-bottle-feeding-guide-for-parents/amp/