feeding a newborn baby?

Question

my cousin has just had twins, when she was in hospital both babies were taking between 45 and 60 mls per feed, now she is home, they are only taking 1 ounce per feed, they seem happy but she is worried that they are not having the sufficient amount, any one have any ideads if this is normal, they were 4 weeks premature and weighed 5lb 4oz and 4lb 11oz is this normal?

Answer 1

As long as their still peeing and pooping, they sould be OK. I think the standard is 8-10 wet diapers per day and 1-2 poops per day.

Answer 2

Both my children were born preterm (one a month early and my daughter born just shy of 24 weeks gestation). And both when they came home decreased their feeds slightly. They will go back up again and there will come a time they go back down again. My son was also a month premature is now 7 {8 months tomorrow) months old and 20 pounds of total fun. At birth and when he came home he was taking 1-1.5 ounces (30-45cc/ml)then went down to just an ounce every 3-4 hours and slowly went up to 2 ounces (60cc.ml) if their diapers decrease, they have no tears {eyes are dry} their mouths are dry or they become overly sleepy then she should take them in to be checked but from what you say on here its perfectly normal. With my son he didn't eat a full 4 ounces until 4-5 months of age, and he was developing ahead of his gestational age and growing just fine. He will be 8 months tomorrow and there are still times he wont take a full 6 ounces. I was shocked by him when on 4 different occasions he's taken 8 ounces.

Answer 3

I think the rough guide for feeding amounts is 2.5oz per pound of body weight in a 24 hour period, although this is based on a full-term baby. Shouldn't be too far out though. I guess it depends on how many feeds they have.

If the babies are happy in themselves, and have plenty of wet nappies then it is unlikely there is a problem. But do see your GP if you are at all worried - they will take your concerns seriously. Or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. They'll probably have a midwife call you back.

Answer 4

I would have her call her doctor or pediatrician. 1 oz isn't a lot. My nephew was 5 wks early and had to take 2 oz before he could leave the NICU. My own kids have taken more than an ounce in the weeks just after birth. By 6 wks old my youngest was taking at least 4 oz every 2 hrs.

Answer 5

every baby is different and some can drink loads where some cant be bothered. my daughter should have had 40z every 6hrs but if she drank it all she'd throw it all up. feeding can be worrying for new mums if the baby dont take it all but dont listen to health visitor. baby doesnt have to have all 4oz at once and then feed them again 6hrs later. i used to give my baby the milk she wanted whenever she wanted it.

even if the babies dont take it all doesnt mean anything is wrong. they prob arnt that interested in the milk just yet as sleep is more on their minds. just tell your cusin to give the feed to the babies every 6hrs and if they dont drink it, leave it until they do if they decide to get hungry within the next feed.

you have to think that if they were getting breast fed mothers dont know how much they've had and mothers breast feed their little ones whenever they cry for more. nothing has be be on a time

Answer 6

If they are happy and settle easily, then there's nothing to worry about. I breastfed my twins so there was no knowing how much they actually had (unless I weighed them before and after- yeah! I sure had time to do that every feed LOL!) I gave them 10 minutes on each breast and in that time, they 'ate' when they were hungry and fell asleep if they weren't. Simple as that. If they didn't take much at one feed, they certainly let me know they were ready for the next!
Same for bottle fed babies, if they're not hungry, you can't force feed them. If they're hungry, they'll let you know. Just remember it's just as easy to overfeed a baby.

Answer 7

The standard is 2 - 2.5 oz of food for each pound the baby weighs. So a 5 lb baby would be 12 - 12.5 oz of food over a 24 hour period. their stomachs are the size of a chick pea right now...1 oz at a time is perfect!

Answer 8

all babies should have an ounce per hour...my baby was having half ounce and midwife said wake him up a bit hes too warm and comfy!...i tickled his feet and he would have a four ounce bottle then go four hours as predicted. they should be on about a 2 oz bottle at this age and go 2 hours between feeds. ...good luck but all babies are different! xx

Answer 9

for being prem they seem to ov bin born at a good wieght, two golden rules 1, dont get stressed over feeding as this is picked up on by baby 2,babys wont starve them selves.however if your cousin is getting stressed then this is more than likely to be transfered to the babe if you have the free time then go round every now and then spend an afternoon or day and offer to feed them for her but dont be obvious about it.

Answer 10

That sounds about right. My daughter was only taking about 2 oz for the first couple of weeks. She was full term. They build up to eating more. I would only worry if it seemed they weren't getting enough or weren't gaining weight.

Answer 11

being prem that's a great weight
babies tend to eat less for a short time and lose a little weight
but get them checked over at your local baby clinic just to be safe
at four week they should be taking between 1 to 3 oz at any feed
if she is still concernd tell her to have them checked over