My 5 mnth old eats 2-5 oz every 2 hrs. I read she should be at 5-6 feedings a day, but this puts her at 9?

Question

Any suggestions? I just got her on a good sleep schedule. Sleep, eat, play, eat, play, sleep. I have to feed her twice between naps because she can only fit about 3 oz in her little belly. I try to have her eat more, but she ends up spitting up it. What can I do to keep from feeding her what seems to be all the time?

Yes, she is on solids. cereal mixed with a fruit for both lunch and dinner. But she only eats 1/2 a 2.5 oz serving at each sitting. So in all, she gets 1 jar food and about 3-4 tbls of cereal.

Answer 1

Your daughter obviously hasn't read that book. If a baby and a book disagree, believe the baby and ignore the book. This is true for *all* cases!!

Answer 2

Some babies need food differently. I would give her a little rice (1 Tabls.) cereal in the formula at nap time and at bedtime. It will help to give her a full feeling longer. I would first rule out any medical problems.There could be something keeping her from holding more. Do you burp her well 2 or 3 times while she is drinking? Try to put off the feeding for an hr. or so by giving her a wet washcloth or a teething ring to chew and suck on but be sure that you are right with her. You can also take her outside to SEE trees, cars,etc. to take her mind off of the bottle as long as possible. She will be really hungry and will probably eat more at one time. If you have her checked first and try the cereal and the waiting longer between bottles, I think she will be fine and you can rest!

Answer 3

Is your baby eating food not just formula? Its time for her to eat some cereal and some single food from a jar. That might fill her up more and try to avoid *over feeding* sometimes they are not hungry, maybe just want to suck on something for comfort.

A 2 oz jar of food would be good mixed in with some cereal and milk , that would fill her up for a bit and help her relax and maybe a little pacifier time *smiles*

Answer 4

As long as the baby is deciding how much she eats at each feeding, I would let her continue with this. Remember, the guidelines for 5-6 feedings a day are just guidelines to make sure she is getting enough to eat and eating frequently enough. She is eating more often, but may be eating less at each feeding, which is fine. She is learning to regulate her own body and eats and stops eating in response to hunger and feeling satiated. As long as she is growing well and seems developmentally on track, I wouldn't worry.

Answer 5

Don't worry not all kids are the same. My daughter did the same thing. I put a little rice cereal in her bottle before bed other then that I just kept up on the schedual that worked for her. Thas also what her Dr. told us to do. She is 5 know. Good luck.

Answer 6

Think of your baby as just a small human for a moment....
We eat when we're hungry. So does your baby.
The whole idea of scheduling with babies is just silly, to me.
Babies will constantly change their schedules as their bodies are growing at a phenomenal rate their first year of life.
You'll find that your baby will eat nearly constantly for a spurt and then will be totally uninterested in food but wants to sleep a lot for a period after that. These are just normal growth spurts.
"Scheduling" is merely for the convenience of the mother at this point. You can try to keep a routine for the baby in order that he adjust to a 9 o'clock bedtime or whatever when he is older than 1 year. But you have to adapt as well to his growth schedule in order to accommodate those times when he just isn't hungry or tired.

Answer 7

She is getting the required amount, just in smaller doses. Maybe some cereal by spoon wouldn't be a bad idea. Add some formula in with it for the added calories.

Answer 8

Are you sure she's not allergic to milk-based products and getting a bunch of gas that is filling up her tummy? She should most definitely be on a 4 hour schedule by now. I would check with your pediatrician, maybe she can do some tests to make sure everything is ok.

Answer 9

my daughter was the exact same way. it seemed like i was ALWAYS feeding her. still to this day she doesnt eat very much, she is almost 11 months old and she only drinks 4 oz at a time. i dont think there is anything you can do to change it. its just her body and her metabolism. dont worry, soon enough she will be feeding herself and it wont feel like all you do all day is feed your daughter.

Answer 10

unless she's putting on unwanted weight (getting fat), i'd say she's probably okay. it's actually healthier for all people (regardless of age) to eat every 2-3 hours. your body will convert all the proteins and nutrients more efficiently and effectively. DON"T WORRY< MOM!!! You're doing great!!