At wits end - constantly feeding formula

[chargedproton]

I’m at the end of my tether.

My baby is 7 weeks old, 13oz 4 and on the 91st centile so he’s a big boy.

However he constantly wants feeding. 5oz every 2 hour or even less sometimes.

He screams down the house if he doesn’t get milk.

Every time I go out with him to a coffee shop or even in town, he’s guaranteed to wake up wanting to feed.

I thought formula fed babies tend to be fuller for longer?

He seems happy, sometimes he spits up but that’s not often and usually when I burp him.

Plenty of wet and dirty nappies.

I’m just fed up of this Constantine feeding.

He doesn’t like being laid down anymore, only at night time, so taking him out in a carrycot results in him crying.

I can’t put him down for naps as he wakes up because he wants to sit up and look around but the he’s tired so end up crying.

When does this all become easier and I am able to take him without worrying that he’s going to want feeding?

That’s good news Charged

It sounds like a growth spurt. Buy yourself a changing rucksack with space for insulated bottles. I always take 3 bottles out with me. DD is 12 weeks and will want feeding when we're out. It's perfectly normal. Try to feed her before activities but equally if you're prepared for a feed then you can just quickly grab a bottle and muslin whilst you're out for coffee etc. I've fed DD in cafes, on a bench in a garden centre, in the car (the passenger seat works really well), in the middle of a shopping centre, a hospital waiting area, anywhere basically. Always make up bottles to 30mls more than the most he's ever taken and always have more bottles than you need.

He sounds like my baby. My DD was on the 99th centile when first born and 9 weeks later is still over 90th centile. She consumes vast quantities of milk (much more than the recommended amount) and i have found that sometimes she will continue drinking when she actually wants to be winded instead. I spend a good 10 mins winding her after each feed now otherwise she'll be in pain from trapped gas later on. She is a very farty baby! I started using dummies after 4 weeks and that was a godsend. She loves them and finds them a huge comfort. Don't worry about what's 'right or wrong'. Do whatever works

Dummies are a protective factor against SIDS. They’re also the best invention in the history of mankind.

The SIDS link has been removed from official advice as the evidence was very sketchy.

A baby carrier so he can be upright will help him sleep better, and you can just go about your business with a baby strapped to you. And try a dummy if you like. But if he wants feeding when out, that's not a big deal - just feed him.