My 3 week old daughter was 6lbs 12oz when born and she was full term. She now eats 4-6 oz every 3-4 hours. I told her doctor and she did not seem concerned. I am not questioning her ability to be a doctor, however, I thought newborns eat 2-3 oz every 2 hours??? Plus, she always acts hungry. She is formula fed. I wish I could have breast fed (she was in NICU and I could not even hold her for days because I had Staff infection 4 years ago from a knee surgery. :( And the pump did nothing for me). Oh, and she weighs 8lbs now at 3 weeks.
2007-10-30 17:11:29 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Babies are amazing....they eat exactly what they need, and not an ounce more or less. Once a baby is full, there is nothing you can do to make her drink more...If she is hungry, give her what she wants. At this point, she knows best. Your doctor is right.
Unfortunately, as kids get older, they lose this amazing ability to self regulate consumption of food, and we tend to eat for reasons other than just hunger. But for now, your baby knows!
Congrats! It sounds like she's off to a great start!
2007-10-30 17:16:09 · answer #1 · answered by Liza 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At this age you child does not know to eat other then because she is hungry. Some newborns eat 2-3 ounces every few hours others eat more. My son at under 2 ounces for about a week and never more then 3-4 ounces until he was 4 months old. However my friends daughter left the hospital eating 6-7 ounces every 3 hours!
Do not question your Dr's abilities as she is correct not to be concerned.
2007-10-30 17:21:23 · answer #2 · answered by texas_angel_wattitude 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Babies know when they're full, and they'll stop eating. The only time they keep eating even when they're full, is when they have a stomach ache, because they just think they're hungry. But if she's not extremely cranky, and she doesn't seem like she's uncomfortable, then she's fine. 2-3 oz every 2 hours is just what the doctors tell you is normal, and every baby is different...so what is normal? If she isn't spitting it all up, then she's not getting too full....as long as you're making sure you're burping her good enough, it'll be fine. She has a good appetite.
2007-10-30 18:31:12 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2-3 oz every two hours maybe the first week. After their metabolism kicks in they increase. In general, babies consume about half of their body weight in ounces so if she is 8lbs she should be drinking about 4-5 oz. Don't worry about over feeding her she will stop eating when she gets full. And also you will know if it's too much because she will spit it up. Breastfeeding is the best but she would definitely be eating every 2 hours.
Mother of 4.
2007-10-30 17:44:42 · answer #4 · answered by tomgirlr 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Since I was breastfeeding it was hard to judge unless I pumped some. Some feedings was more like 2 ounces, others were closwer to 5. Two to five is the 'common' range. If you are feeding your child on demand, then 3 ounces is exactly enough for YOUR child. If you are feeding on a schedule & your child is fussy between feedings it may not be enough.
2016-05-26 04:14:33 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let her eat her fill. Babies have a lot of growing to do, and she will sleep better on a full tummy. Plus she needs to learn to follow her appetite.
Babies have a tendency to not have read any manuals and don't know what an 'ounce' is. They eat what they need.
I did that with both mine and they are tall and thin at ages 1 and 3.
2007-10-30 17:33:33 · answer #6 · answered by KC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At this point your daughter is eating from actual hunger cues, where as adults and some kids learn to eat because they're bored, excited, happy, sad, etc... Follow your daughter's lead - she's telling you when she's hungry and is putting on weight. Be happy you have a healthy hungry baby!
2007-10-30 17:18:03 · answer #7 · answered by karespromise 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Babies know exactly how much food they need. They eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Just follow her cues and you will have a healthy and happy baby on you hands
2007-10-31 00:31:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infants will not eat more than they need. If you try to limit their food intake you will end up with a VERY cranky, hungry baby.
2007-10-30 17:17:00 · answer #9 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just FYI, at three weeks, it is certainly not too late to breastfeed and wean her off the formula.
Google "relactation" if you're interested, and check out
http://kellymom.com/
http://drjacknewman.com/
So much easier to not have to ever ask "Is she eating too much? Too little?"
2007-10-30 17:20:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 5⤋