Feeding times for premature babies

[simz143]

Hi all, so after a month stay long in SCBU my baby is finally home. He was born at 31 weeks and he is now 35 weeks !

He is on prescription formula for feeds. At the hospital he was being offered 42ml on ready made sma formula which was prem 1 post discharge he's on prem 2 which is powder formula which you mix with water.

I was told to prepare 2 scoops which is 60ml as no other way of measuring 42ml. They said offer him 60 ml not meaning he has to have 60 ml as that's not expected at his gestation and weight. He weighs currently 1.7kg. He has been waking up for feeds every 3-4 hours and only completes 30 -40 out of 60 ml but at night times say he has bottle at 1am 30 ml or so and he gets tired he will wake up hungry at 2:30 am again and then will have another 30-40 ml again.

Hospital said to feed him every 4 hours. Isn't this a big gap ? What did you all do ? I'm new to this and constantly stressing I'm not feeding him well etc. it would be great to get advice fro you ladies who had pre term babies what your experiences were with formula.

Thanks

I've been exactly where you are with 2 babies. Honestly the very best advice I can give you is just don't try to control what he eats or when. Just have yourself ready to throw a bottle on at all times and give him what he wants and when. Also make sure your partner is doing some of those night feeds. Don't worry about how much he's eating (and definitely do not obsessively write down every feed). It can be a long journey but you'll get there. Watch out for signs of reflux (vomiting, squirming in pain lying down, fussy etc) and see doctor at first signs xx

Responsive feeding, feed him when he wants it.

Is he on requirements still at home?

As long as he has a minimum of 6-8 bottles a day, plenty of wet and dirty nappies and is waking for feeds, let him do his thing 😊

Both of mine usually had about 30-40 ml every 3-4 hours at that age so all good xx

Thank you ladies for your replies !!

Just want to do the best for him it's so hard
Also he's 4 weeks old now gestation is 35 week and his bowels are green. Is this normal ? When does the poo colour change ?

Hi! My youngest cane home At 35 weeks on 4 hourly feeds

My DD was born at 36 weeks so not exceptionally early but low birth weight (1.6kg) and spent a week in the NNU. She also came home with the feeding plan of 30-40ml every 4 hours but it only worked for a week or so then she was showing hunger cues after 2.5-3 hours so I just fed on demand.

If she didn’t wake for a feed herself by 4 hours I’d wake her but fed on demand other than that.

35 weeker was on 4 hourly feeds too