Am I overfeeding bottlefed DS2?

[flowerybeanbag]

DS2 is now 5 weeks. He was big at birth and has always fed well, formula on demand. At the moment it's every 2 hours in the day and 2.5 - 3 hours at night. I'm happy to feed him this often if that's what he needs, but he is sick quite a lot so I wondered if I should adjust how much he has somehow? He possets after every feed but is also properly sick at least once a day, projectile vomiting over all the furniture . He is still big and seems very healthy and happy generally.

I'm feeling guilty because when DS1 was this age we tried to extend times between his feeds. At 3 weeks we spent a few days in hospital (unrelated), he was feeding about every 2 - 2.5 hours as well, but the (fairly strict, authoritative) paediatrician said he should be only feeding every 3 hours by now and we should try to 'hold him off' if he seems hungry sooner. We spent hours over the following few weeks bouncing him up and down and soothing him to try and delay him.

We were new parents and didn't know better unfortunately. With DS2 I'm determined to let him set the pace and feed whenever he wants, but on the other hand if what he's doing is what's making him sick then I would like to help him.

Any advice would be welcome - I might have to run off and feed but will check back.

If it's any consolation, breastfed ds was also very puky, as you've described, with a similar feeding pattern - just kept demand feeding and his vomiting has much decreased now he's 10 weeks. Hopefully someone with more formula experience can give you better advice.

Think DS used to do this as well - I was very surprised to find that DD isn't sickly at all - so when she is it's a shock iyswim.
I'd imagine once a day isn't a problem (apart from for your furniture ) but maybe worth a mention to your HV (unless she's also a "hold him off until it's feeding time" sort?)

Thanks

I won't panic then, not yet anyway! HV is quite good actually - she's all for demand feeding and when it came to weaning DS1 she was very supportive of waiting til 6 months then BLW. I haven't seen her since week 2 but am due to go for 6 week check with her next week, so I'll mention it.

I'm permanently wandering the house with a muslin draped over me and strategically leaving them everywhere for emergencies as well!

yes, I was doing that with DD (as had to with DS) until I realised I was washing them still clean as they never got used!

glad your HV sounds like a good one

Hi,

My DD used to be the same when she was around that age. However I was BF her so I don't know if this can help you. Around 10 to 12 weeks it stopped, never asked the HV because I thought it was completly normal as a lot of babies are sick after feeds and between feeds.

I do remember having to change her clothes at least twice everyday. The good things (she is 18 weeks now) is that now I don't have to put the washing machine everyday. Now I use bibs to if she is sick she keeps her clothes clean but the sofa and the floor are still cove of sick every now and then .

Good luck with your furniture. We wanted to change our sofa this Xmas but hae decided to way a couple of years now