How much is too much?

Question

Alright I asked a question similar but didn't really get any response. My baby ate 12 oz. of milk and 6 oz. of water (which the doctor told me I could give him water) in a 2 hour time period, and then he'll be starving again in 3 hours. My doctor said not to feed him more than 6 oz. every feeding but he acts like he is starving with only 6 oz. Do you think it hurts him for him to eat that much?

My doctor didn't want him to eat more than 6 oz. cuz he didn't want him to spit up alot. But he NEVER spits up.

My baby is 11 weeks sorry forgot to put that. Also if I stop at 6 oz. he starts crying so hard that he choaks on his own salivia. But he isn't gaining too much weight, actually he barely gains any at all. The doctor also said to give him water so that his poop wouldn't be so solid.

Answer 1

If your baby is hungry, feed him!!

Think about it this way, if you were breastfeeding your son you would have no idea if he was eating 6 oz every three hours or if he was slurping down 10 oz every three hours. And when you took your son in for his check up the pediatrician wouldn't even ask you how many oz your son was eating at a feeding, he would just check your son's growth rate to make sure he was gaining weight correctly!!


**edit** I just read your latest additional info...if your son isn't gaining weight at 11 weeks...and your pediatrician is suggesting you LIMIT your son's nutritional intake...you need a new doctor!

Answer 2

I'm really not sure about that. Every baby is so different, but maybe he's going through a growth spurt. My son did at that age and it seemed like he was eating constantly. Babies usually know how much they need and will not eat more that that, but maybe you should get a second opinion from another doctor if your baby is consistently eating that much. If it's just a temporary thing I wouldn't worry.

But another suggestion is that a lot of times babies just want to suck more, and when they are bottle fed they still want to suck more after the milk is done since bottles empty quicker than breasts. Do you use a pacifier? My son was breastfed until he was 12 weeks, then I started giving him 1 bottle per day. Every time he got his bottle he'd cry when it was done because he was used to sucking longer when he breastfed. I'd just give him his pacifier and he'd be fine. If he was really still hungry then he'd spit the binky out and insist on eating more.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Sometimes when a baby has a belly ache they act like they're hungry. Are you sure he's actually hungry? Are you burping him enough after he eats?
But on the other hand, my little one has had a voracious appetite from birth. He had rice cereal in his bottle at two weeks old, not with every feeding, but only at his feeding right before bed time. The rest of the time he was breastfed. He would just get a formula bottle with a little cereal right before bed. If his poop is solid, try giving him apple juice.. yes, they can have it, even at 11 weeks, just water it down. Just because your doctor says you shouldn't do something doesn't mean it will hurt them if you do give it to them. Take it from someone who actually listens to her Mama (who has raised FIVE of us, the youngest being 17 and we're all healthy!) about what a baby can and can't eat lol..

Answer 4

how old is this baby? young I'm guessing.I was told not to give my baby water unless he was constipated (if that is the case 2oz at a time is plenty after a feeding). It really does nothing for them otherwise. Formula has all the water and nutrients your baby needs. Your baby may be going through a growth spurt, they do that around 3 months. My son did this too... ate about 10oz every 2 hours. He was fine and is not over weight (30th percentile at 9 mo). A baby doesn't ask for more than it needs. However if your baby throws up the majority of what he/she eats cut it down and use a pacifire, he/she may just need the sensation and comfort of sucking. in short, if he's hungry, let him eat, and cut down on the water. good luck

Answer 5

If he's hungry let him eat. Personaly i found it easier to let the baby decide when they are hungy or full. if they eat to much they'll jsut spit up. Yeah after the 12oz seem right for him to be hungry again in 3hrs. It wont hurt him. but 6 oz is enough for a 3mth old. id feed him the bottle and if he hungry within the next hour just give him so water then try soem more formula if he is still hungry. but hey each baby has adifferent metabolizim.

Answer 6

That's a lot to give a baby. My son, who's 4 months old, doesn't eat more than 8 oz. of formula every 2 to 3 hours. A baby doesn't need to have water unless it's dehydrated, formula or breastmilk, does just fine. For my son, sometimes he wants to eat more, but I have to draw his attention elsewhere, so he's occupied w/ more than just eating. Babies just don't understand yet what full means or what it feels like to be full....your doctor should be able to tell you what the average baby eats in a 24 hour period.

Answer 7

I know I answered your last question but I would like to try again. As far as, hurting him I don't think it could hurt him. Unless he is having diareah or vomitting which I doubt since that was not mentioned. I just think your dr. is worried that he will gain weight too fast. Like I said before a baby will not over eat they will let you know when they are done. Maybe you are just going to have a big healthy baby. Nothing wrong with that. Good luck! Hope I did better this time!

Answer 8

If it was really a problem of overfeeding he would be delighted to puke it all up. That is what overfed babies always do.

If he keeps it down then there is no problem. You might want to ask your doctor whether you could try feeding some cereal to try to go longer between feedings.

Answer 9

Ok, I might get some flack for this answer, but maybe you should introduce a little rice cereal into his bottle. He seems hungry and drinking so much liquid isn't good on his little tummy. If baby is hungry you need to feed him.

Answer 10

yea..6 oz is enough..trust me..i also felt like feeding a little more but i did 7 oz max when i was supposed to do 6