[sophiesmommy]

Hi everyone! My name is Diane and I had my first baby Sophie 16 days ago. I am really hoping to get some support on formula feeding here, because feeding her is what I am most overwhelmed with! I had planned on breastfeeding, but due to jaundice, inverted nipples, a poor latch, and a low (almost nonexistent) supply, that did not happen, so we are formula feeding. Here are my questions:

1. How often should she eat? I took her to the pediatrician last week and she is 4 oz over her birth weight. They told me to try to get her to go at least 3 hours between feedings. Does this sound reasonable?

2. How much should she be eating during a feeding? According to the pediatrician, she should be eating 16-20 oz per day by her weight. However, she has been taking 3 oz a feeding every 3 hours which is 24 oz per day. She still seemed hungry after the 3 oz at times yesterday, so I offered a 4th oz. She would take it, but would then spit up 15 minutes later. Was I overfeeding her? She never spits up when I give her just the 3 oz.

Any input would be much appreciated! I want to make sure she gets enough to eat, but I dont want to overfeed her and make her sick either! BTW, we are using Similac Sensitive.

[Bug-n-Ed]

1. How often should she eat? I took her to the pediatrician last week and she is 4 oz over her birth weight. They told me to try to get her to go at least 3 hours between feedings. Does this sound reasonable?

I personally hate schedules for feeding. Your baby will let you know she is hungry. Sometimes that might be at the 3 hour mark, other times, it might only have been 2 hours and that is okay.

2. How much should she be eating during a feeding? According to the pediatrician, she should be eating 16-20 oz per day by her weight. However, she has been taking 3 oz a feeding every 3 hours which is 24 oz per day. She still seemed hungry after the 3 oz at times yesterday, so I offered a 4th oz. She would take it, but would then spit up 15 minutes later. Was I overfeeding her? She never spits up when I give her just the 3 oz.

For now, I would just give her the 3 oz if she's going every three hours w/o wanting to eat sooner every time. She was probably over eating. It could be possible that she needs 3.5 oz, but just the 3 should be fine. As for the ounces per day, don't worry about it so much. As long as she's taking the minimum your pedi said, it's fine. That is a general guideline they use, but all babies are different and some need more than others.

[Adrienne214]

Even with formula feeding I let my babies eat when they are hungry when they are that little. I think a good rule of thumb is 24 ounces every 24 hours give or take a little.