16 weeks old 8oz bottles

[Leadust92]

Hi all,

After some advice or reassurance please! My baby girl is 16 weeks on Saturday and has been draining 7oz bottles every 3 hours to the point I have to take the bottle away before she sucks in air. She was sleeping through the night (8pm-7/8am) from 10+4 but since draining her bottles she’s started waking again for a feed. I know it’s normal at this age and obviously am fine with a night feed but just wondering if she’s wanting more which is why she’s started waking again and whether anyone else had fed their baby of a similar age 8oz or if you tried something else? Just don’t know if this is too much for a baby her age.
Thank you!

I'd give 8oz

I'd start 8oz as well. We started our son on very small amounts of baby porridge made with his milk that stated it was suitable from 4 months when he was that age, he absolutely loved it, he's now a very active and healthy 2 year old. If you feel she's still hungry even after having 8oz, you could try introducing something like that, if you're not comfortable giving anything other than milk yet or don't think she's ready then just go up to 8oz for another couple of months or so until you're ready to try weaning.

Thank you! We have spoken about starting baby porridge. Somebody I know has started their baby on it but says she feels like it just makes her even hungrier but I know every baby is different so we will see. :)

Weaning is not advised until 26 ish weeks. Baby porridge will have fewer calories than milk so earlier weaning can lead to a baby waking up more at night because they need more calories.

The NHS advices feeding on demand, so that means they should never drain the bottle. My first used to have some times have 11oz at a time overnight. Paced feeding is recommended to make sure ff babies don’t over feed.

Not sure what you mean about feeding on demand meaning they shouldn’t drain the bottle. I do feed on demand but can only make a certain amount and then if I make more she normally doesn’t want it by the time it’s made.

If baby is finishing their bottle completely then it’s time to offer bigger feeds. I’d avoid any type of food until 6 months.