How much to feed 5 month old?

[fatbottomgirl]

I have a 17 week old, who ebf and doing well (although he has a slight ear infection ATM). I am planning on leaving him with DH for a few hours on Saturday night.
I have managed to express 6oz of milk today and popped that into the freezer, I just wondered if anyone had any clue how much they are likely to take at the age ? (he is about 14lbs). And obvisiuly if he is still ill I won't be going anywhere.

You need to try him with a bottle before you leave him with your DH - if you haven't tried already.

My DS1 wouldn't take a bottle as he was ebf.

My DS2 who is 21 weeks, has 5-6oz every 2-5 hours at the mo. Seems a little irratic but he's either got a growth spurt or sleep rregression at the moment. And he's 21lb

With breastfed babies under 6 months, a good rule of thumb is an ounce an hour plus a little bit. So I'd perhaps leave 1.5 ounces for each hour you think you'll be away (but over estimate your time away in case of delays).

I agree with making sure he'll take a bottle before hand if you will be leaving him over a normal feed time.

If you're going to put him to bed with the last feed before you go out, you might find that a cuddle from Dad will be enough for subsequent wakings. I know my two demand milk from me at every waking in the night, but if my mum goes to them then they're happy with a cuddle. They seem to know it's not worth asking cos she doesn't have any. They did thoroughly investigate the front of her pyjama top before resigning themselves to a cuddle only though!

Hope you enjoy your night out

With breastfed babies under 6 months, a good rule of thumb is an ounce an hour plus a little bit. So I'd perhaps leave 1.5 ounces for each hour you think you'll be away (but over estimate your time away in case of delays).

I agree with making sure he'll take a bottle before hand if you will be leaving him over a normal feed time.

If you're going to put him to bed with the last feed before you go out, you might find that a cuddle from Dad will be enough for subsequent wakings. I know my two demand milk from me at every waking in the night, but if my mum goes to them then they're happy with a cuddle. They seem to know it's not worth asking cos she doesn't have any. They did thoroughly investigate the front of her pyjama top before resigning themselves to a cuddle only though!

Hope you enjoy your night out

Thanks for the advice, will give him a go with a bottle tonight and see how he gets on. I might get DH to try it while I get some extra sleep .

I won't be far away when i'm out and can get back easily if it all goes wrong!!

Fingers crossed and thanks for the advice.

How did you get on tonight?

Did baby take a bottle?

Just a quick update. I left the house at about 7:30pm after feeding DS. DH then apparently played with him for a bit gave him a bath and warmed 4oz of ebm which he took no problem then DH put him to bed at 9pm I returned to a sleeping baby at 11:30pm. As soon as I went upstairs he wanted fed .
Excellent result I'm sure you'll agree.

That's fab. Hope you had a well deserved night off as it were.