Can you over-feed a newborn?

[Tetri]

Initially DD could only take a small amount at frequent intervals (ff) as she had bad colic and reflux. So rather than 4oz every 4 hours as per formula box she was having 2oz every 2 hours (so still the same amount, just broken down differently).

But she's starting to feel better as the wks go on and will sometimes have 4 or 5 oz in one feed, but rather than it lasting her 3 or 4 hours, she's still hungry 2 hours later. In the last couple of days there's times of the day when she's hungry every hour!

I'm just wondering is there any harm in feeding as much as she wants or am I supposed to give only the specified daily amount? (obviously this is impossible when she's screaming the house down but I'm wondering am I assuming it's hunger and feeding too often?)

Dc is bf but when he's eaten too much he just throws it back up. I imagine it's the same for ff as well? I'd just keep feeding her as much as she wants, her weight will sort itself out when she gets more active.

Thanks gummy oh that's a good way of knowing. She rarely throws up, just once or twice so far but I'll keep an eye out.

Just try all the other things first (dry? hugs? pains? sleepy? under stimulated?)

But I always ffed on demand and dd was a chunk. She is now a slender girl with no obvious food issues.

If she didn't want it then she would sick it up or refuse the bottle. You'll find that she will naturally stretch the feeds out to 3ish hours soon enough

It is recommended that babies are fed as much as they want, as often as they want. This is known as "responsive" feeding. It is thought that letting their own apetite guide them, might protect against overeating in future. The important thing is not to try and get them to take a bit more milk in the hope it will satisfy them for longer. It doesn't sound like you are doing this. It sounds like a growth spurt.

The amounts stated on the box are just a guide. All babies are different. I found my DS went up to 6oz every 4 hours really quickly and went up to the 50th centile for a bit but then settled back on usual growth line (25th). Perhaps make up a bottle with another oz in it and see if she takes it. If she doesn't want it she will fuss on the bottle or just throw it back up.

The box is just a guide. And if she didn’t need it she’d refuse the bottle or spit up afterwards. Babies are very good at regulating their own appetite. You’ll probably (hopefully) find she naturally starts to go long between feeds and takes more at a time as she gets bigger. My rule if thumb was that if DD was draining the bottle at each feed then that was my queue to make an extra ounce going forward.

Cue not queue (promise I’m not illiterate)

I always fed on demand too and had no issues. If she's had too much milk it'll just come right back up, she knows what she needs so I'd just go with it. If you're really concerned you could mention it to your health visitor, but mine always said just to feed when needed as that's exactly what happens with breastfed babies. Also agree with PP about adding an extra ounce if you feel she's hungry and draining every feed.

Ignore the packaging. Follow your baby’s lead.

A symptom of reflux is wanting to feed often - whilst they drink its soothing but then when they are over filled, the symptoms worsen too...

Just to put it out there that the reflux could still be an issue

Ok thanks a million everyone, I feel better now.