Feeding Question

My DS is 3 weeks old. He seems to be eating a lot to me, but I'm not sure. He eats 3-4 oz every 2-3 hours! If I give him 2 1/2 oz, he'll be hungry an hour later. At night though he will sleep 4-5 hours at a stretch so I feel like he "misses" a bottle. I know it sounds crazy, but part of me wonders if he is a comfort eater? Is that even possible so young?

Is it a big deal that he isn't really on a schedule? And is it a lot of food? He gets both breast milk and formula if that makes a difference.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just concerned I'm over feeding him!

Feeding Question

Does lo spit up. That's a sign of overrating. Also get checked for silent reflux. They are in pain so they drink to soothe the pain. Or your kid may just like to eat. Mine is 3m old and is up to 6oz ever 2-2.5hrs but she's a chunkeroo and is in the 85th percentile for weight. She's always like to eat but let's us know when she doesn't want anymore.

Feeding Question

Oh and schedule. Way too young. Feed on demand. Eventually there will be a schedule. If you are nursing make sure to pump when you supplement with formula so your supply doesn't suffer.

Feeding Question

Double post

Message edited 8/7/2013 6:07:23 PM.

Feeding Question

He will eat what he needs...too soon for schedule & to eat for comfort (like in a pacifier) like Dee sd he wld b spitting up if overfed. He sounds like a good eater to me.
Btw my DD drinks 3oz of breastmilk every 2 hrs she is 6 weeks

Re: Feeding Question

My ds is also 3 weeks and he will eat 3-3.5 oz every 2-3 hours. He also though can go longer if he is sleeping overnight. The dr asked how much he eats and I told her. She didnt seem concerned.

Re: Feeding Question

3 weeks is typically a growth spurt time when they eat more. It occurs again at the 6th week. My DS is also 3 weeks and is eating way more and sleeping way more too.

Re: Feeding Question

Don't worry - your son sounds perfectly normal! 3-4 ounces every 2-3 hours is very usual at 3 weeks old! Babies eat when they are hungry. If your son is hungry, then feed him!

I had a lot of anxiety at the beginning about overfeeding DS, but there's really no such thing. It's worse to underfeed your baby because he will be irritable and unhappy (and starving!). Babies turn away when they aren't hungry. If your son is vomiting after eating, then you are overfeeding him. Spitting up is perfectly normal. All babies have an immature digestive system, which causes babies to spit up. They grow out of that in time.

As for the schedule, I never put DS on a schedule. He will gradually find his own schedule and fall into one naturally. Or not. We follow DS's lead but if we need to do something, we just work our around schedule.

Re: Feeding Question

Thanks ladies, his made me feel better!