Feel like baby is eating far too much but she asks for it - some assurance please

[Motherof1and2dogs]

Me and my husband are starting to worry if our baby is eating too much. We are documenting every feed just so we can keep track of it and it seems she is eating way more than recommended.

We have decided on combination feeding as this helps with the shared responsibility and just more flexible. I wanted to breast feed but I just don’t think I can do it :( she never seems satisfied. So below it how much and when she fed:

22:46 - 40ml from bottle

23:49 - Breast for 10 minutes
00:05 - Breast for about 5 minutes, didn’t suck for long, seemed more for comfort
01:03 - 40ml from bottle
04:08 - 50ml from bottle (husband took over at this stage)
05:47 - 40ml

I feel the frequency is normal as I have read about cluster feeds at night but I am concerned with the amount she seems to have with each feed, but if we stop at 20/30ml she is still hunting for more.

Just wanted to see if the above is ok, I feel like we are failing a bit or getting it all wrong and just feel a bit all over the place with it. It is 7am now, I am expecting her to be awake around 8am as it seems to be every 2 hours, but no doubt she will want more than the recommended amount which is 20-30ml.

How old is she?

Obviously depends on baby’s age. Assuming baby is very young. Please don’t panic. They take what they need and sometimes breastfeeding is more of a comfort to them. Try not to overthink it too much

The age would be useful. But it doesn’t look like an excessive amount. If the baby is putting on weight they are very likely to be fine. Is there a reason you are documenting it?

@WanderingWisteria she is only 3 days old, just seems she’s needing a lot more than the recommended amount

@ToKittyornottoKitty sorry, she is 3 days old

Please stop worrying. She is growing and changing so much. Feed her if she wants it

Total over-analysis and unnecessary. Young babies will feed as much as they need to. Breastfeeding needs to get established. In hot weather of course they'll feed more. Honestly OP, you're tying yourself in knots when you could just relax and go with the feeding flow here.

@despairofbadscience sorry as above as others have asked also, I feel so silly for forgetting to put her age 🙈 but it seems she is having a lot for such a small baby, it’s the amount that is concerning me as it’s more than the recommended

This. But also the middle of the night feeds should be the breast feeds.

if you want to breast feed, do so. Adding formula isn't necessary.

Edited as bloody hell just saw three days old! Feed on demand and stop the formula. That will damage your production.

A recommended amount at 3 days??????? Unbelievable. Please breast feed as much and whenever she wants. The sofa, TV remote, snacks and frequent glasses of water should be foremost in your mind, not quantities. Plenty of wet and dirty nappies? All is well. Relax OP!

If you were solely breastfeeding you would have no idea how much your baby was getting so stop analysing every feed
at Three days old they need feeding frequently

you aren’t failing
if you do want to breastfeed, stop the bottles and get some good skin to skin and offer the breast at evey squeak
at three days your milk may only just be coming in so your baby needs to feed a lot to stimulate that - they will then become more settled
and yes they will breast feed for comfort and because the more they feed the more milk you’ll produce
the only thing to keep an eye on is nappies - wet and dirty nappies show everything is working
enjoy your baby

I know it’s hard. She is tiny she is taking what she needs. Try not to overthink it.

Newborn babies have tiny stomachs. If she’s eating too much she would puke it all back up. Speak to your midwife if concerned but tiny babies eating too much is almost never a problem.

That still sounds fine for her age. Stop analysing the baby and feed her whatever she wants. If you are combination feeding so early she won’t be getting much from the breast anyway as your supply will get ruined by combination feeding.

Just keep feeding her until she stops and feed her when she needs it. Please don't over think this. The only time to worry is if she is not gaining weight.
My baby was on boob almost constantly at 4 days. Literally a they do is drink milk, poo, sleep and poo cry and want more milk.😂just go with it. She's getting all she needs from you and your partner 🤗

Please don’t worry! All babies are so different. Where are you getting this ‘recommendation’ from, as the NHS recommend feeding on demand? The guidelines on the formula boxes/google are just for an idea.

If she’s settled when she’s finished her milk and isn’t being overly sicky (a little spit up is normal, but forceful vomiting isn’t) then she’s perfectly fine.

If it helps to reassure you, for the first 8 weeks my breastfed baby fed anywhere from 10-16 times per day with individual feed times ranging from 5 - 30 mins (look up cluster feeding if you aren't already aware of it!). It started to even out into more of a pattern around 12 weeks but even now at 9.5 months they feed as and when they want to and for as long as they want to.

At this all night mine would breastfeed all night (it’s called cluster feeding and it’s exhausting!)

congratulations on your new baby, and don’t worry too much about over feeding. Their tummies are tiny but developing fast

When do you next see your midwife or health visitor? You can ask them then?

If you want to combination feed - stop the bottles until BF is established. Otherwise your milk won't come in. Your job for now is just to feed on demand. Just keep doing it. Baby won't over eat from the breast.

Yes cluster feeding. Dd never stopped feeding when small baby and she was a tiny thing. It’s a good thing because you want them to gain weight at this stage. Don’t worry please.

Yes speak to midwife about it

Recommended amount? I have not heard of this.

I’d stick with breast feeding and nothing else and feed her for as long and as much as she wants. Your supply gets going this way and it’ll be compromised if you use formula too. I really did nothing but breastfeed in the early days.

If you want to breastfeed, you need to stop with the bottles until your supply is established.

Just feed the baby when they're hungry. They will be cluster feeding and you'll feel like they feed all the time. It's normal though, and as long as they're getting plenty of wet nappies you're fine.

Congratulations on your new baby!

She's tiny and growing - she needs food.
Her stomach is about the size of a walnut - she needs to feed often!
It's been really hot - she'll be thirsty!
She's brand new and will suckle for comfort.
Cluster feeding is a thing.

You're doing fine, but as above, concentrate on establishing breastfeeding for 3 weeks or so before giving her a bottle.