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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Should I move to hungry baby milk for 16day old baby who wants fed every 1.5/2hrs?

29 replies

84Stephy · 02/05/2017 20:14

My baby boy is 16days old. He was doing well & settling most of last week, sleeping 3-4hrs but all of sudden since the weekend he has not settled well during the day but especially through the night, wakening every 1.5/2hrs for a feed or after 4oz/120ml he wants more. I know his stomach is small so can't really give him too much more but thinking of trying Hungry Baby Milk as this may settle him and fill him up. Seems to be since we started using the bottle making machine with formula switched from the ready made btls from the fridge. Literally got 3hrs sleep last night on the couch as he just isn't settling to sleep in our room after his bottle sometimes taking over 2hrs to fall asleep in my arms in the middle of the night. Help, I'm an emotional wreck!

OP posts:

Cakescakescakes · 02/05/2017 20:19

It's totally normal for a newborn to feed every 2hrs surely?

Timpani · 02/05/2017 20:19

Firstly, as hard as it is this is entirely normal! I found that week 2-4 was where I found it hardest as you're well in the "this is for the long haul" phase. His tummy is still so tiny that he needs to fill it frequently.

Hungry baby milk just contains more 'indigestible' (or not easily as digestible) ingredients so that it takes longer to digest in theory. I'd be wary of it with a baby so young, personally (though I never used formula). Can you share giving feeds with anyone?

mummabearfoyrbabybears · 02/05/2017 20:28

I really wouldn't with him being so young. It could very well made him terribly constipated and that can be very painful. Feeding this frequently is quite normal for his age. Please speak to your HV or midwife if you're still under one OP.

Original poster

84Stephy · 02/05/2017 20:33

Feeds are shared, well i do most of them but its more th fact he is drinking almost the full 4oz each time so for him to start wanting fed every 2 or so hours means he would be taking far too much food in for a 2.5wk old baby. Most friends/family I have spoken with told me he should probably sleep 3 to possible 4hrs. He was but just isn't now. Its more the fact in the night he is drinking the milk but taken ages to settle to sleep that then his milk has worn off and he doesn't sleep long. For example last night I fed him at 11.30ish, it took till just b4 2am for him to settle and sleep and he was again awake at 3.15am for more food, which would be fine if he slept all that time. Its as if the milk its satisfying/filling him to settle down/sleep sooner.

OP posts:

mycavitiesareempty · 02/05/2017 20:38

He'said just waking up from the sleepy newborn phase. It's totally normal. Also normal to want to feed to sleep.

Whoever said newborns should be sleeping 3-4 hour stretches.... nope. That's not how most are programmed.

ohlittlepea · 02/05/2017 20:41

No, hungry baby milk is not good for baby's guts, and should never be given before six months as it contains cereals, if you're worried about his feeding chat to a HV they are there to help you :) or an nct early days class :)

sparkleandsunshine · 02/05/2017 20:41

Does he drain the bottle? My DS went up to 5oz at 3 weeks, and has gone up and up until 10 weeks when she took 7oz, she's 14 weeks now and still doesn't take quite the full 7oz.
Why don't you ask the Heath visitor?
I had lots of comments about my DS taking a lot but she's perfect and not overweight, all little ones are different x

Kathryn160417 · 02/05/2017 20:42

The last midwife to see me told me not to bother with any of the hungry baby as they are no different and a waste of the extra money. My daughter is the same age and is pretty much the same.

ohlittlepea · 02/05/2017 20:42

Ps if you're too exhausted Is there anyone who can help you? Xxx falling asleep on the couch with baby in your arms is risky xxx it's so so hard when you're exhausted in the early weeks xxx

Whileweareonthesubject · 02/05/2017 20:44

Talk to a hcp. My dc2 was ff and like yours, fed often. He was also taking so much at each feed that his stomach just couldn't hold it. The mw was still coming daily to check on me as I'd had a difficult delivery and lost lots of blood and she suggested I try hungry baby formula. Once we tried it, we never looked back really. But I don't think I'd have made the decision without some input, when DC was so young. I was lucky that my mw was happy to give advice about all feeding methods and then allow me to make my own final decision.

Notthisnotthat · 02/05/2017 20:45

Don't bother with hungry baby milk, just up the amount at each feed.

Sparrowlegs248 · 02/05/2017 20:47

Do you have to hold him up on your shoulder to settle him OP or can you cradle him in your arms (so he's laying down)?

The feeding us totally normal, but he may be in sone discomfort with a bit of reflux. Ds 2 had to be held upright all night. It was so so hard. He's much better now he's on reflux meds.

SmartyPants0 · 02/05/2017 20:53

Both my children were like this... I always mixed up more than they drank, if he's drinking 4oz offer him 5oz

Original poster

84Stephy · 03/05/2017 07:10

He took the milk last night fine, so I think il pass on hungry baby milk. I think it's more the settling after the feed I'm more concerned about. As if it's not satisfying him or he is just fighting sleep and so so restless. He was up at 12.20am last night but took to just after 2am to fall asleep, in my husbands arms. He's now been up since just b4 5.30am fed and changed but again won't settle!

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 03/05/2017 07:16

Speak to your health visitor if you're concerned about volume of milk. 3-4 hours is outdated advice I'm afraid. These days they say it's better to feed on demand. It is definitely a slog in the early days but he will start stretching out between feeds as he gets bigger. Best thing is to sleep and feed in shifts if you have someone to share the load with.

BertieBotts · 03/05/2017 07:18

Do you have a baby swing? I know people who swear by them! Don't leave him to sleep all night in one but you can let him fall asleep in there and transfer to cot when deeply asleep.

honeycheeerios · 03/05/2017 07:18

Not necessary at all.

You could play havoc with their digestion.

Hungry baby milk is only necessary when a baby is draining a full bottle (8/9oz) every single feed and still wanting more. Never satisfied.

I would just stick an extra ounce in the bottle and see how they cope with that.

honeycheeerios · 03/05/2017 07:23

And also, you should feed on demand at this age rather than following the guide on the formula tin to a T. They won't eat for the sake of eating, they know when they are full and will stop when they have had enough. So don't worry about giving too much.

Floozie66 · 03/05/2017 07:38

Follow your babies lead he might want more at one feed and less at another like us we arent equally hungry at each meal am currently reading your baby skin to skin which explains babies behaviour really well in terms of feeding - would recommend it have currently been struggling with bf so it has been helpful to gain some perspective

Original poster

84Stephy · 03/05/2017 07:39

Yes I have only just managed to settle him since asking at 5.30am. He started the q's again for food as it's been a while since the bottle finished and I just made a new bottle and gave him it and he took like 20ml and then fell asleep. I think I'm gonna up the oz to 5oz and if doesn't finish it then it's better than wasting a full bottle or him not getting enough. It's more the settling and falling asleep thing that's getting us now. Does anyone have any tricks?

No I don't have a swing, I have a bouncer but he doesn't like that. I think he is too young for it! I just thought the swings would be for slightly older babies but il maybe look into this!

Iv put a more detailed post of the 'Sleep' thread as think the settling after the bottle is the issue now not the hungry baby milk!

OP posts:

JaxingJump · 03/05/2017 07:42

No. It's normal, completely normal.

SmartyPants0 · 03/05/2017 21:43

Will he take a dummy?

dementedpixie · 03/05/2017 21:48

At that age they have no concept of night and day so they don't care if it's the middle of the night and they're awake! Dont use hungry milk as it's for older babies closer to weaning age.

BertieBotts · 03/05/2017 22:06

Have you heard of the "fourth trimester"? He's only been born 2 weeks so he probably feels a bit scared when he can't hear your heartbeat or smell you. You will find they tend to get into deep sleep about 20 mins after first falling asleep so you might have luck if you let him fall asleep on you and then try to put him down after 20 mins or so. Or the swings can be useful because of the movement and some have vibrating features too which help soothe babies.

He is really very little so don't fret, he will get more used to the world soon, it's just at the moment you are what makes him feel safe :) If you have a partner babies often like lying on their dad's chest while he talks or sings softly because of their low voices.

wrinkleseverywhere · 03/05/2017 23:06

Unfortunately for you, he doesn't know night & day yet so, it may be 3am, but he may be thinking "oh, I'm well fed & rested; what's going on" & want to have a bit of a play rather than go straight back to sleep. It will get better but it is really hard work at this stage.

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