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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Probems Bottle Feeding my 5 week old

10 replies

Ninaok · 23/12/2010 08:22

Hi All,

I have just joined Mumsnet so a bit green - and my first time on a discussion board so new to all this!

I recently gave birth by C section to a beautiful baby boy and I am bottle feeding him.

As he was born via section he is still has some mucus and this causes him a little discomfort. However when he feeds he will only take 2- 3 ounces at great speed and then stop - not interested in taking any more. He will then need to be feed in a couple of hours as he is hungry again. He does sound windy and we are using Avent equipment with two holes in the teat.

Can anyone offer any advice as we would like him to enjoy his feeds more and get him to drink more less often.

I appreciate anyones feedback in advance and I look forward to reading some tips.

Thank you! :)

OP posts:
Cosmosis · 23/12/2010 09:14

Congratulations!

I think a tiny baby feedling little and often is completely normal, sorry. ~Their tummies are so tiny that's probably all it can take. as he grows then he will start to take more and space them out more.

Scherbatsky · 23/12/2010 10:01

Ninaok sounds totally normal to me. He is guzzling milk until he is full but then he will be hungry again in a few hours. He will start going longer between feeds as he gets older.

If you feel he is downing the milk too quickly, maybe causing some wind then switch him to a slower teat (only 1 hole) but I doubt it would make him take any more milk, just take a bit longer to drink the same amount.

theborrower · 23/12/2010 11:20

Yep, sounds normal to me too - babies only have small tummies so if he's not interested in taking any more he's had his fill. And needing fed in another couple of hours is normal too. My baby is coming up for 5 months and still feeds approx every 3 hours (think she was every 2-3 to start with too).

You may want to try a slower teat so he can pace himself and not gulp air down, if this is what's causing wind.

re the mucus - how old is your baby? Mine had a lot of mucus in the first few days too (she was born by EMCS) but as far as I remember this cleared up before we got out of hospital.

Anyway, I'm sure things will settle down with the feeding in time - newborns are hard work! Congratulations on your new baby :)

theborrower · 23/12/2010 11:23

D'oh - sorry, just reread the title of the thread, I see your baby is 5 weeks old. Not sure about the mucus then, so if you're concerned speak to your health visitor.

wigglesrock · 23/12/2010 11:55

I bottlefed both my dds, and both of them fed on demand like your son. The elder one settled into a more regular pattern at about 9 weeks but the younger one just liked to feed when she wanted (she is now 3 and just as headstrong Grin) I used Tommee Tippee bottles and teats which I love but I know a lot of people who swore by Dr Browns.

Good luck and congratulations

Original poster
Ninaok · 23/12/2010 12:23

Thanks to all of you who have got back to me so quickly...much appreicated..and for your good wishes. :)

I don't feel so bad now ... I thought I was doing something wrong. :( He is quite a big baby for his age - he is 10lbs now and the midwife told me that I should divide his weight by 2 to get the number of ounces he needs per feed which works out at 5. And if I followed Gina Ford's advice in her Contented Little Baby Book he should nearly be sleeping all night!

This new baby melarky is a bit of a mindfield! But I'm loving every second. :o

OP posts:
Cosmosis · 23/12/2010 12:57

Babies sleep all night when they're ready to, don't think there is a magic way to get them to do it sadly!

So nice to hear how happy you sound :)

theborrower · 23/12/2010 18:08

Yeah, the health visitor/BF clinic told me that to work out how much to give you multiply their weight by 2.5 to get the amount of ounces, then divide by the expected number of feeds. But this is a rough guide - some babies will want more, some less.

And don't listen to Gina Ford - she has some interesting tips, but her schedules etc sound crazy.

PS - my baby is nearly 5 months (and only 10lb!) and has only just started sleeping through! All babies are different, just go with the flow and you'll be fine :)

gummymum · 23/12/2010 18:15

My 5 week-old is BF but has started to go three hours between feeds. I think that this is partly because I have realised that not all of her crying is hunger and things have slowly spaced out. Have you tried making him wait a few minutes each time? Just a thought.
The other thought is infacol - really helps our dd get rid of her wind (up and down!)

Original poster
Ninaok · 24/12/2010 07:37

Thanks again for your advice folks> :)

If you are celebrating Cristmas I hope you have a great time and a very Happy NY. :o

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