2 questions re feeding

[secretgirl]

Hi. Firstly after a very rocky start breast seeing is going quite well at the minute for me. However I seem to have a very very hungry baby. She's looking for feeding about every 2 hours. I know every baby is different, but When she actually is feeding, how long approximately should she be spending on a breast feed? When she has a bottle she has 4 oz.

Secondly I am giving one or two formula bottles a day, to date have been giving the ready made aptamil milk. I got the powder form to start making bottles, aptamil, the number 1. I am very confused as it states that the water is left cooling for 30 minutes max before adding the formula and then it has to be listed immediately. You cannot prepare a couple of bottles before going anywhere or make them in the morning for the day. How do other people do it? Using a different formula or what?

Totally normal. Dd1 used to feed for 30 mins on one side, have a 15 kip then do another 20- 30 mins on the other, sleep for an hour then start again! Ds2 was more efficient and 10-15 mins per side did him, no sleeping on the job! Every baby is different, just listen to yours and you'll be fine

Ignoring the barney about formula prep...

Cluster feeding is totally normal, esp in the evenings.
There's no 'right' time for feeding duration or intervals (although at so young they should be feeding every 3-4 hours at least, so every 2 is good!
I may be wrong but I'm not aware that feeding 'too often' is possible. Their tummies are very small and can't hold enough milk to last them very long. Hence the frequent feeding. Doesn't mean the last feed wasn't enough. Plus every baby is different and each baby is different st different times.
I remember those days of being paranoid he wasn't getting enough. It's very different from formula when you can calculate how much they're supposed to have and measure it out and see it go down. I found BF so unnerving in that respect in the early days, before I just learned to relax and trust the weight gain.

Is she producing lots of wet and dirty nappies and gaining weight?
To put your mind at rest, can you see her swallowing (I had to have someone point it out to me as I couldn't tell!) and can you see any milk in the corner of her mouth when she feeds? That should reassure you she's getting it.
Babies also go through growth spurts a LOT where they seem super hungry as you will worry about them getting enough. I did! They do it partly to increase your supply for after the grown spurt, as their appetite will constantly increase and you need to keep up. It doesn't mean they're not getting enough, just that they're working on upping your supply and they're hungry fairly often.

They also grow more in the first year than in any other year of their lives. They need the fuel!

Hi, I can't advise on breastfeeding as I exclusively formula fed.
About making the bottles, I made them in advance. I boiled the kettle, left it to cool for 30 minutes, as this allows the water to cool to the right temperature. I then made them and allowed them to cool naturally at room temperature. Once cold, I stored them in the fridge. You can make them in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
To warm them up, I simply used a jug and boiling water.
It's so much easier than faffing about with pots of powder and water when you're out.