[jules17]

Coming to the pros!!

The hospital told us to feed Jude every 3 hours on the dot. He was fine with that for a few weeks, but now wants to eat every 2 hours. So we have been doing that - just feeding on demand. And boy oh boy, does he put it away!! Which is GREAT, and we are so thankful.

But we are "troubleshooting" the night routine. For those of you that have BTDT, should we be trying to see if he will take more formula? He was on 1.5-2 oz., and now usually takes 3 oz. He is just about 7 lbs., so I am not sure how much he can take? He lets us know when he is done, so that is a good thing.

Thoughts? Tips?

If we need to get up every hour, we will, but we just feel a bit clueless.

Many thanks!

[Fran27]

I used to increase the amount if they were regularly finishing their bottle 8 feedings in a row. Otherwise I realized I was just wasting too much because once they would drink 3oz, then the next 1oz etc.

[feelingreyt]

If he usually drinks all 3 oz, then I would increase his betime bottle to 4 oz. She how he does and take your cues from him.

[mommieof2cuties]

I wouldn't be feeding every two hours, but that is just me unless I was breast feeding, I would give him more every three hours like the hospital said. What has your doctor said? Some babies use the bottle for other ways other than feeding. Also we found ready maid to fill the baby up better so not sure what you are using?

[jules17]

Originally Posted by mommieof2cuties

What has your doctor said? Some babies use the bottle for other ways other than feeding. Also we found ready maid to fill the baby up better so not sure what you are using?

I feel so strange because I know it's his "hungry cry" and I feel like, if he's hungry, I should feed him (he was born premature and weighed 5 1/2 lbs.) So he's a little guy, and I love it that he is into his food. I would be such a stress case if he wasn't, but not sure how to regulate, or if we should even try at this point.

He has his first "at home" Dr. visit Weds. a.m. So we'll see what she says.

He is on Similac NeoSure.

[OakShannon]

Personally, I wouldn't try to regulate is formula intake. I think that eating is one area where it's important to really go by the baby's cues. If he's hungry, and you can tell by his cry that he's hungry, then I would feed him on demand. If he's finishing a 3 ounce bottle and looks like he could keep going, then maybe try fixing a couple of extra ounces. If he doesn't finish the bottle, all you've lost is a little formula. Maybe that gets him to go a little longer between bottles. Or maybe not. I think for some newborns, feeding every two hours is normal.

I'm surprised the hospital suggested a strict every-three-hours schedule. I thought most people agreed that on-demand is best for babies.

Congratulations again on your beautiful boy!

[jules17]

Originally Posted by OakShannon

Personally, I wouldn't try to regulate is formula intake. I think that eating is one area where it's important to really go by the baby's cues. If he's hungry, and you can tell by his cry that he's hungry, then I would feed him on demand. If he's finishing a 3 ounce bottle and looks like he could keep going, then maybe try fixing a couple of extra ounces. If he doesn't finish the bottle, all you've lost is a little formula. Maybe that gets him to go a little longer between bottles. Or maybe not. I think for some newborns, feeding every two hours is normal.

I'm surprised the hospital suggested a strict every-three-hours schedule. I thought most people agreed that on-demand is best for babies.

Congratulations again on your beautiful boy!

Thanks!! Excellent advice. I should clarify that the hospital was more like "make sure he eats at least every 3 hours." At that point, we were waking him up to remind him it was time to eat. So I don't think they meant "not until 3 hours," but more no longer than 3 hours. Again, at that point, he was just tiny, so every 3 hours was a struggle. I worded that wrong.

Thanks, all!! Keep it coming!

ETA: Mayo says feed on demand, and that their needs change often, so go with their cues. Sounds right to me.

[Beth.]

Originally Posted by jules17

ETA: Mayo says feed on demand, and that their needs change often, so go with their cues. Sounds right to me.

That's what I think. Unless he's overweight or turns into a snacker, but I really think he's way too young for either.

[devildogwife]

I think Shannon gave you some excellent advice. I fed Cameron at least every 2 and 1/2 hours, round the clock for months. He ate anywhere from 2-3 ounces at a time if we were lucky, because he was so weak. If he wanted to eat sooner, I fed him sooner. I read his cues. Sounds like that's what your son needs too as a preemie.

[Nevada Jen]

As a rule of thumb, babies can only fit half their weight in pounds in ounces of formula in one feeding because of stomach size. This your DS really should not be eating more than 3.5 oz of formula per sitting unless you want to risk puke issues. Remember that he might well be 8 pounds (and able to take 4 oz per sitting) by the end of next week. I would not start to try regulating timing until he is 10 pounds with the exception of not regularly going more than 3 hours between feedings or less than 2. If you get lucky and he eats 2 3.5 oz bottles 2 hours apart, I wouldn't stress about going more than 3 hours between feedings if he is sleeping.

[mommieof2cuties]

I missed that he was a preemie, I would feed on demand than! Preemies need all the food they can take! My daughter was a preemie and we were told that she needed X amount of oz's within 24 hours. But sleep is also important to help them grow. If I remember my husband and I traded off nights, one would sleep with her in the nursery one night and the the other would get a good nights sleep, so that the other kids would be well cared for. It sounds like you are doing the correct thing! I wonder what your doctor will say

[gdaisy]

If your child is a preemie the hospitals and nurses will tell you to fed the baby at least every 2 hours during the day and 3 hours at night.... That is my experience as a preemie foster mom...hope this helps

[jules17]

Originally Posted by gdaisy

If your child is a preemie the hospitals and nurses will tell you to fed the baby at least every 2 hours during the day and 3 hours at night.... That is my experience as a preemie foster mom...hope this helps

Some say preemie, some not. He was born at 36 weeks, which according to some is premature, according to others is early full term. ???

[swd]

I would feed on demand, and like others have said, up the amount of each feeding if he's easily finishing each time. I think he's WAY too young to have food withheld b/c it's not "on schedule." If he's hungry, feed him.

[jules17]

Originally Posted by swd

I would feed on demand, and like others have said, up the amount of each feeding if he's easily finishing each time. I think he's WAY too young to have food withheld b/c it's not "on schedule." If he's hungry, feed him.

Just to clarify, withholding food was never, never, never an option. I never said that, never meant that, would never do that.

That infuriates me.

We have a 3-year-old, a 2-year-old, and our newborn. And there isn't a second in any day that their needs don't come first and foremost. And there never will be.