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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 put my 6 week old baby onto hungry baby formula?

61 replies

MsSparkle · 25/02/2009 11:10

My 6 week ds was born a whopping 9lb 8oz. He is gaining wieght ok, he was 12lb at his weigh in on Monday.

He is having 5oz of Cow and Gate formula at the moment and has been going 3 and a half to four hours between feeds.

Over the last few days he hasn't seemed satisfied and goes every 2 and half to three hours between feeds. Sometimes he will take the full bottle, then 2 and a half hours later will be really hungry again but only take 2 - 3 oz.

I have tried putting 6oz of formula in the bottle but he won't take it. I think it's because his stomach isn't big enough yet to take that amount of food in one go.

So do you think he needs to go on hungry baby milk? I am afraid he might get really fat though?

OP posts:

Original poster

MsSparkle · 25/02/2009 14:30

A post like poppys has helped. She has told me her own experience etc. Just saying "4 hours is too long to go between feeds" is not helping at all.

OP posts:

FairMidden · 25/02/2009 14:33

You just asked if we "think he needs to go on hungry baby milk?". You didn't say you only wanted personal experiences. Sorry.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 25/02/2009 14:34

sometimes (and my baby was b/f for full disclosure) my LO sometimes wants the breast not for food but for comfort, the sucking motion can help a baby if it's in pain thru wind etc. have you tried just giving a dummy?

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 25/02/2009 14:35

Actually MsSparkle suggesting going shorter periods between feeds might not be the answer you obviously want to hear but it is an answer.

sb6699 · 25/02/2009 14:37

Libras - was about to the suggest the dummy thing (but given some attitudes wasn't brave enough).

I know this may sound stupid, but are you sure she's hungry and not just looking for comfort/has trapped wind, etc, etc.

ben5 · 25/02/2009 14:37

i gave ds1 the fuller milk but i can't remember how old he was. maybe 3 months old. he was much better on it and he's now very fit and healthy and eating everything!!!! he's very active and always has been and he uses up loads of energy. go with what you feel best for you and your child

Original poster

MsSparkle · 25/02/2009 14:55

"Actually MsSparkle suggesting going shorter periods between feeds might not be the answer you obviously want to hear but it is an answer."

Yes Libra, and i understand that. But i have said he has been going shorter periods between feeds over the last few days and he is draining a 5oz bottle. I have tried putting it up to 6oz but he isn't taking it, probably because his tummy can't take it. If however, i keep feeding him 5oz every couple of hours or so, that adds up to alot of of milk over 24 hours.

OP posts:

Original poster

MsSparkle · 25/02/2009 15:03

Sorry i forgot to add, if he was only taking 3-4oz at feeds every 2 and a half to 3 hours i would completly agree that he just wants little and often. But 5oz every 2 and half to 3 hours seems alot to me which is why i thought he maybe a hungry baby?

OP posts:

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 25/02/2009 15:06

Sorry I am even more confused because in your original post you said he would take 5oz and then 2-3oz the next feed 2.5 hours later. I'm going to bow out of this discussion now, i hope you get some more advice.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 25/02/2009 15:07

Ms Sparkle I am not having a go but what is wrong with him having alot of milk in 24 hours? he is a very small baby.

Original poster

MsSparkle · 25/02/2009 15:13

No i said he would sometimes take 2-3oz 2 and half hours later meaning not all the time. On the whole, he will take 5 oz at feeds.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull i just figured that 38oz of milk like he took yesterday was rather alot? He isn't a very small baby for a 6 week old. A 12lb 6 week old is a big babe.

OP posts:

Original poster

MsSparkle · 25/02/2009 15:27

Reading back through some of my posts, i do come across as abit short. I do appologise for that, i am grateful for peoples advice, i just have flu and my 2 year old has been playing up today and the baby has been unsettled (very unlike him as he is a very quite, contented baby normally.) I'm sure those of you who have/had 2 kids under the age of 3 understand.

It just seems over the last few day he has been constantly hungry and feeding him all time has been hell when all i want to do is sleep having flu.

Purhaps he is having a growth spurt.

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normansmum · 25/02/2009 16:00

if its any comfort 2 of mine were on hungry baby milk at about 6 weeks. Yes it does coincide with a growth spurt but the idea wasn't to feed them less but for them to be more settled and content (which they weren't as they both liked a good sleep). Anyway they went on hungry baby they drank the amount that was recommended at least. They had no constipation, neither of them are fat and both were capable of sleeping for 4 hours plus. (if allowed). So my opinion is it wont do any harm and you should do whatever you think best. (from one who had 2 under 2

LeonieSoSleepy · 25/02/2009 16:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

MsSparkle · 25/02/2009 16:40

normansmum 2 under 2! You are a saint. I think i will put him on hungry baby milk and see what happens.

LeonieSoSleepy i know i said my baby is big, but i have given other reasons why i think he is hungry other than him just being big Plus bf a baby is very different though to ff a baby so chances are my baby may have been different if he were bf just like your girls may have been different if ff. 10lb though

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SnowlightMcKenzie · 25/02/2009 19:07

MrsSparkle, a big baby is not necessarily a hungry baby and vice versa.

My DS was 7lb 9oz and drank 12oz of emb every evening in ONE feed at 5 weeks. Now THAT is a hungry baby, if not big.

The advice now is to ff on demand, so if your lo needs a feed and 2 hours later a little bit more, you should really just go with his demands. There is nothing wrong with that.

Lulumama · 25/02/2009 19:12

i would simply feed your baby as often as he wants, as much as he wants and not even look at the clock and see how many hours it is

also, i would not offer water, as it will just fill his stomach but not with anything satisfying or calorific, and not stave off his hunger

i formula fed two babies, and can honestly say that simply responding to your babies cues is the best thing you can do, and i have had one hungry baby and one who could exist on fresh air!

and babies have frequent growth spurts, so offering as much as they want when they want will hopefully give you a happy, settled and full baby

Hangingbellyofbabylon · 25/02/2009 19:20

I totally agree with lulamama - there is no need to follow the rules and stick to set amounts and times. If he's hungry feed him ,even if it's only an oz or so and even if he wants another couple of oz an hour or so later - so what? the world won't end. Growth spurts are funny things and he can't tell you what's going on - the only thing he can do is cry and hope you work out what he needs. I really wouldn't worry about 38oz being a lot for 24 hours, next week it could be different again, the only thing that matters is that he's a happy babe with a nice full tum.

Original poster

MsSparkle · 26/02/2009 08:19

So i just don't go out at all then? I will just stay at home with my baby and my 2 year old all day so i can feed the baby an oz or so when he wants it?

OP posts:

fishie · 26/02/2009 08:24

mssparkle a growth spurt isn't forever. you could always take a carton with you too.

Original poster

MsSparkle · 26/02/2009 08:31

The way i do it and the way i always did it with my dd was work out roughly how long i would out for and take the appropriate amount of bottles with me which was never normally more than 2. Blimey, if i just feed him an oz or so here and there, i would be carrying a big bag full of bottles!

I'm not trying to be difficult but i agree you shouldn't be strict about feeding every 3 or 4 hours (like letting the poor mite cry his heart out until the 3 - 4 hours is up,) i don't think feeding him 1 oz here and 2 oz there is very practical, especially when you have a damanding 2 year old to contend with too.

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Nontoxic · 26/02/2009 08:33

What a bizarre comment - why wouldn't you feed your baby 'when he wants it'? He won't go all day having the odd oz, and you've just said you've got flu anyway.

Original poster

MsSparkle · 26/02/2009 08:39

I think this is something we will have to agree to disagree on. I don't have flu anymore, the tablets the doctor gave me the other day have really helped clear it.

OP posts:

Original poster

MsSparkle · 26/02/2009 08:55

I sorry i forgot to add regarding not offering water, you should offer water to ff babies. One because they may be thirsty and two it helps with any constipation. I don't mean offer gallons of it, a few oz will do.

Sometimes when i have mistaken my ds for being hungry, he was just simply thirsty because he settled down after drinking some water.

OP posts:

SnowlightMcKenzie · 26/02/2009 08:57

MrsSparkle It sounds like you have all the answers then.

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