Formula fed baby, how much at 4-5 weeks old?

[LittleBok]

I just wondered if people had advice on when to increase the amount of formula you feed a 4 week old, we are using Atamil and I can't breast feed due to an operation so never really got taught about bottle feeding... Our little one is always grouchy and seems in discomfort after a feed, wind I hear you all cry, well you'd think so but I can't seem to get anymore burps out of him without stroking the life out of his back... I have used Infacol and now moved on to gripe water to see if that works... We are feeding him around 4oz every 3-4 hours depending on how long he can last - could he still be hungry??! Just wondered if anyone had some tips and advice for feeding patterns - oh and he doesn't settle well at all and so is probably over tired too. Oh the joys of a newborn!

At that age with both DC's we demand fed as someone BF would, DD was regular as clockwork and fed every 4 hours, DS could feed every hour avery 1.5, so may be worth a try to feed when he cries.

When they drain the bottle consistently then increase the amount in each by an ounce. At that age ds fed around 2.5-3 hourly (he fed 3 hourly in the day until he was about 4 months old although by then he was sleeping a bit longer at night too).

According to the RCN guidelines a rough guide is 150ml/kg bodyweight over a 24hr period offered in small feeds on demand, usually every 2-4hrs according to the baby's needs (pg 8).

With both my ds's, I have started off with 4oz in the bottle and once they have drained the whole lot for a whole day, I'd up he amoun by one ounce. I would much rather there be some left in the bottle than think ds could have taken a bit more iyswim.
If your baby seems like he is in pain after a feed, try to keep him upright for about 30-45 mins, this will help digestion, you could also try a gentle bounce on your lap whilst his back is dead straight to give a break from constant rubbing and patting.
I have fund with both mine, that dentinox colic drops work far better than infacol.

Thank you for your comments, I am glad you think demand feeding could be an idea as I guess if I was breastfeeding then that would be what we would be doing. I sometimes think the mad cry at a random time of day is hunger so will try 1oz if that occurs to see if he is hungry. Interesting about Dentinox colic drops, gripe water seems to not bring up any wind and Infacol can make him quite sicky so will try that.

He does drain the bottle 6 out of 7 feeds, the middle of the night he tends to only need 2-3oz so not changing that as he will normally fall asleep on the bottle.

Just wish I knew what the anger/frustration is when he meltsdown after a feed and sometimes just at completely random times, sometimes just for 30seconds and sometimes for an hour...!! I'm guessing its colic...

FWIW, Gripe water was fantastic on ds1. Ds2 just spits it out so I don't bother giving it anymore. Infacol also made both mine a bit sicky, hence the switch to dentinox.
I would say your baby is prob suffering colic, especially if he has bouts of crying for no apparent reason and is uncomfortable after feeds.

Littlebok, if he's draining the bottle & trying to keep sucking then I would increase by an oz

With the crying, how does he nap during the day? Just wondering if he's getting tired and/or overstimulated?

Littlebok

DS is 4wks and is having a mixture of 4 or 5oz bottle which is increasing to mainly 5oz bottles every 3 1/3 to 4hours.

Although having said yesterday he was having 2 or 3 oz's every 2hours.