3 week old - help!

[fifibets]

I have a 3 week old son, who weighed 8lb10 at birth, he dropped to 7.13 as was really struggling with BF, but has regained most of birth weight now as am formula feeding exclusively now. However, he is wanting to feed every 2-3hours (mostly 2!) so is having around 10 feeds in a 24hr period. Now all the books say that only small babies need 3hour feeding, and really 4-hour feeding is best. How do I change this or should I not worry yet? I can't really force-feed him (nor would I want to) to take more formula - he often doesn't finish a full bottle at each feed anyway. (he takes between 90ml-120ml). I really feel like I'm floundering & am worried I'm letting him get into a snacking habit. HELP - Anyone!?
thanks x

It's so hard isn't it? My DD ended up in hospital at 3 days old with jaundice and poor feeding. I persevered with the BF and luckily it worked.

I would just say that your baby still has a tiny tummy and is feeding when he needs. I don't think you can worry about habits and routines yet. Not that I'm an expert! It goes sound like you are doing a fab job though!

I should also say I bet you are bloody knackered with 2 hourly feeds! I'm sure your baby will settle into a longer routine as he gets older.

Throw away the books! Babies are tiny people with their own preferences and habits. Just as you know some adults who constantly graze and others who only eat 2 or 3 big meals a day, different babies have different feeding patterns.

Your little one's tummy is tiny. It will gradually grow and it will get easier. Newborns are exhausting though. I feel for you.

I should also say I bet you are bloody knackered with 2 hourly feeds! I'm sure your baby will settle into a longer routine as he gets older.

Every 2 -3 hours sounds normal to me. Knackering but normal! :) I remember the night time feeds getting a little further apart over time. Good luck.

Keep thinking the baby's tummy is the size of a walnut (I think or somesucu nut!) so its tiny but needs filling often. Blooming relentless, but normal IME. It does get more spaced out in time, honest... Good luck x

Every 2-3hrs was completely normal for my son. He was a little and often feeder. God luck, you're doing fab x

Not comparing exhaustion levels but my 16 week old still feeds every 3 hours during the day and three nightly feeds.
Hang in there it is exhausting, but IMHO feeding to demand is the best you are doing for your baby.
They are still very young for routines. You will work out what works best for you as time goes by!

This was - and is - us 3 weeks ago and now.... Ds is 6 weeks and still wants feeding every 2 to 2.5 hours. And he's having 5oz a time mostly!!! He won't stop fussing until he's fed so we're just going with it...

He did sleep 7 hours in a row the night before last (we were soooooo shocked!!) But last night he was back to his usual every 2 hours...! And we did everything the same! Who knows!!

I'd just do whatever your baby wants at this stage, be led by them :) ad exhausting as it is I know!!!