We have a newborn baby and she is one week old. She normally eats LactoFree Formula every 3 hours. Her feeding is normally between 80-90cc. However, these past two nights, she eats 80 cc EVERY 2 hours. We were wondering if this is normal behavior or are we overfeeding her or not feeding her enough? Her feedings during the day are every 3 hours. It's only at night that we're starting to see this problem. Any help or advise is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!
2006-06-13 19:35:03 · 13 answers · asked by norbertovalladares 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Most babies lose weight for the first week or two of life, then start to gain. When this happens the eat A LOT. It is only temporary though. After a few weeks things will settle back down. It is not a formula problem most likely (though noone but your baby's doctor can tell you this for sure). Some babies eat more during the day, some at night. You baby is only 1 week old so her day/night cycles are not set yet.
You do need to keep feeding her on demand. But there are some things you can do to help establish her circadian rhythms (day/night cycles). Keep it bright during the day, even when she sleeps, and keep it dark at night even when she is awake and feeding. Also minimize interaction and playing with her a lot in the middle of the night.
I often see people in these questions say something like "keep her up more in the daytime" or "put cereal in her bottle". Definitely do NOT do these things. Just give her time, it will get better.
Good Luck!
2006-06-14 03:06:17 · answer #1 · answered by cardboard cowboy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is completely normal. Babies eating habits can change frequently and I would not worry about overfeeding her. Also, keep in mind that a lot of newborns get their nights and days switched around They are up at night acting like it's daytime and during the day they sleep because its nighttime for them .This could explain why she's eating at night as if it were daytime. It sure can be quite challenging to get them to switch their schedule to coincide with the rest of us. If she does have her hours switched around, try waking her up here and there throughout the day, and play/laugh/talk with her a little bit between naps. Good luck and congratulations!
2006-06-14 02:56:38 · answer #2 · answered by aiccata 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aw. I'm just a big ole softie. I couldn't let my son cry it out if he was hungry! Especially when he was only a week old. Also, if you aren't breastfeeding this can be painful if your breasts are engorged. Something in a baby's cry sends blood flow to a woman's breasts - so be forwarned. I had that really bad...
I also fed on demand. But, I tried to work his schedule out to match mine. It took a few weeks, but it worked like a charm. He started giving me 5/6 hours at night when he was a month old.
Perhaps feeding her more during the day would help. It sounds like she could be cluster feeding to make up for what she's lacking during the day. She could also be going through a growth spurt.
When I knew my son was hungry I would try to calm him and soothe him as much as possible. Just to hold him off for 15-30 minutes. Then, when he was good and hungry he'd eat more --- and give me more of a break between feedings. Just keep repeating. It was a slow process, but after being consistant for four weeks --- it worked!! And, that was the greatest sleep!!
They go through spurts. So, now he'll give me 6-10 hours of night sleep. Sometimes more if he's on the verge of a growth spurt. And, about that time the feeding decreases when sleep increases. Then, that next week he'll gobble gobble gobble - and bam he's sprouted!
He gives me about 3 hours in between feeding during the day. And, he's 3 months old. But, it isn't necessarily nap time...
Good Luck!
Enjoy this stage - it goes by too quick and soon they are growing like weeds...and sleeping on their own...grabbing things...crawling...and you realize they aren't babies anymore...
2006-06-14 08:08:05 · answer #3 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a big believer in demand feeding - Feed the baby when she is hungry not when you want her to feed! Let her drink as much as she wants when she wants. You should not let a newborn cry for long periods of time as somebody above said!!! Your not supposed to do that until they are older!!
I hope this helps and congratulations on the new addition to your family!!!
2006-06-14 04:11:45 · answer #4 · answered by bec 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At this age babies are going through constant growth spurts and their little body needs to feed. At three wks old my son did the same thing. He started eating like a madman even though he had a little routine up until then.(as much as a routine a 3 wk old could have.) My pediatrician said at this age let them eat however much they can eat and as often as they want it. If you are still concerned ask your pediatrician about it. To me your daughter sounds healthy. Congratulations!
2006-06-14 02:45:27 · answer #5 · answered by goldeneyez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its very normal for Baby's to eat that much and that often. With my children I always fed them when they were hungry and as much as they wanted. I don't believe in the timing method where they are only allowed to eat at certain times. None of my children are over weight. I think that you are doing a good job. If you are truly concerned you could contact her Doctor. Good Luck!
2006-06-14 02:43:41 · answer #6 · answered by Jas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed your baby when she is hungry, feeding schedules are totally bunk. How would you feel if you were so hungry that you were crying and your caregiver told you "sorry, you are not due for a feeding for another hour."?!?!
I feel bad for the children of the other posters who let thier babies cry and refused to feed them when they were hungry.
I also feel bad for the parents who's childs hunger may have interfered with the parents lives in any way. I mean, who is this child to ask for food anyway!
(that last one was scarcastic, for those of you who dont pick up on that sort of things, please dont flame me!)
Love your child and trust your instincts!
(thats not sarcasm, thats from the heart!)
2006-06-15 14:48:18 · answer #7 · answered by melissa g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its totally normal. Babies eating patterns change all the time. Just hang in there. It will get better. Feed that baby when she is hungry. Try changing her diaper or switch the position shes in ,if that doesn't work then you know she's hungry.
2006-06-14 02:47:37 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normal... eating habits change alot especially with newborns. Feed when hungry is the best advice.
2006-06-14 02:38:40 · answer #9 · answered by wandering_canuck 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your newborn is growing bigger and probably needs more than 80 cc at each feedings. Let her/him drink as much as possible then, burp them well before putting them back to sleep.
2006-06-14 02:49:37 · answer #10 · answered by nannygoat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋