Feeding queries

[beckiebee04]

Just need a little advice, I have a 12 day old baby, I was breast feeding but she was never full and ended up topping up with formula milk, I've stopped breast feeding and now I'm just formula feeding her sma gold, she takes a 3oz bottle nearly every two hours , during the night it can get every hour, ... It's like she's never full, considering introducing the hungry baby milk, what do you all think??

Totally normal at this stage.

I wouldn't do the hungry milk if I was you.

Is she gaining weight well? Plenty of wet/dirty nappies?

Have you spoken to your HV?

Would she take more per feed?

Congrats btw

You shouldn't give hungry baby milk without consulting your HV or GP.

At 12 days old she is probably going through her first growth spurt so will want more milk. This should only last a few days. Try offering her a bit more milk for now, babies don't tend to over eat so she'll refuse to take it if she's not hungry.

She may also be sucking for comfort, have you thought about trying a dummy?

Yea lots of wet/dirty... I have tryed an extra ounce but she only takes the three ounces, I did try a dummy at first but she wouldn't but might try now , thanks

Congratulations!

Normal at this stage I'm afraid, just keep feeding! Hungry baby milk is a complete marketing gimmick. It doesn't have any extra calories but is harder to digest so sits in baby's stomach for longer. You risk not giving your baby enough calories per day if you use it. Your baby will soon be able to take more milk per feed, at the mo her stomach is tiny.

I would try lots of types of dummy DS only ever liked the tommy tippee 6mo+ from when he was weeks old. If she seems like she is sucking hard maybe try a higher flow teet DS used to get tired sucking and fall asleep before we was full someone suggested a larger teet and he started taking more at a time I think he was only about 3 weeks though if that's not the problem she could end up covered in milk so would only buy 1 teet to test with.

How you feed your baby is obviously entirely up to you. But, as you say you started breastfeeding, I just wanted to check that you are absolutely happy to stop?

At the beginning bf babies eat basically round the clock. It might have felt like she was always hungry, but by feeding constantly she was building up your supply, which is 100% normal. It is quite unusual to not make enough milk for your baby assuming you feed on demand. It can take a whilr to get into the swing of things though. With this in mind, if you wanted to give it another try I am pretty sure you'd be able to. Maybe worth ringing the National Breastfeeding helpline or la leche league to talk things through.

Congratulations on your new arrival!

I stopped bfing at 12 weeks too for the same reasons. If you're happy with your decision stick with it, if not get some advice from la leche league.

Steer clear from the hungry milk. I've not heard a single good thing about it.

There is a classic growth spurt around this age too. If it doesn't settle after a couple of weeks seek more advice.

We used a dummy and I've never looked back, even though ds is now nearly three & still has it at nighttime!

Good luck. You're doing better than you think you are! Two things to remember - everything's a phase and they'll change it up on you the minute you think you've figured it out!

My baby was breastfed, still is, and although it also felt as if she was never full, she went through the cluster feeding stage at around the same time. It passes, then started again, then stopped, started.. Etc etc. I second the poster who suggested breastfeeding again if you can and want to. It is easier for babies to eat what they need if you do.
Babies don't overeat and it is very rare to not produce enough milk. Very very rare. Your supply will go up and down with your babies needs. This is apart from all the other benefits of breastfeeding!

Yes I've stopped breast feeding, it does seem a stage she's going through

If shes draining the 3oz bottle, try making up 4oz and she may take a little extra. Ds had a massive growth spurt around that age. Don't worry if she's drinking more than the tin recommends-ds did this for about a month and then went back to more normal amounts. Steer clear of hungry baby formula. Its tough going at the start, but it does all settle down.