# of ounces = hours in between feedings???

Lucy_Plus_One!

I read somewhere, I think on Kellymom, that the number of hours the baby goes between feedings can generally give you an idea of how many ounces to feed them.

I know its just a ballpark, but I was curious... anyone know if this would mean that you give them the # of ounces that match how many hours you want them to sleep, or if after they wake up you would give them the # of ounces matching the hours they just slept?

Hard to explain, but I guess I am wondering. When your baby STTN, or goes a longer than normal stretch, do you then give them a bigger bottle?? Or do you give them a regular one because you dont want to make them sleep a long morning stretch??

TIA!

mrsseguin

DS usually eats 5 oz at each feeding, and eats about every 3-4 hours.  It has been this was for about a good month now.  Never heard of this before, but this is definitely NOT the case for me!  I'll be interested to see what other have to say though...

lpennie16

What I have found is that it doesn't matter how many ounces you give at bedtime, if your DC is tired then they will sleep for a good stretch. For example, one night I gave DS 6 ounces at 10. He was up again at 1am! Another time, I gave him 2 ounces and he slept for 5 hours. If your baby goes for a longer stretch without eating, just give a regular amount in the bottle (whatever that may be for you) and then if they are still hungry, give more.

STTN is a milestone, which varies depending on baby. It does not happen as a result of a big feeding or by giving rice cereal despite what people may tell you.

megwitt

Honestly I just offer the bottle and he drinks as much as he needs/wants.  Sometimes its more and sometimes its less. Last night he drank about 10 ounces and only slept 3 hours and the night before he drank 4 ounces before bed and slept 6 hours...so I don't think ounces=sleep time?

gobigblue

yes, kinda.  when they start to STTN, you'll probably drop a feeding during the day and therefore make their bottles a little bigger.  i.e., DD was eating 3 oz 7 x day.  when STTN, she would eat 3.5 - 4 oz. 6 x day (she wouldn't need that 7th one as she wasn't waking during the night to take it).

ibfloridagirl

We would "tank up" Ike before bedtime when he was about 6 weeks old or so, normally he got a bottle every 3 hours, but we would give him a bottle at 5:30p, keep him awake and another full bottle at 7:30.  His schedule has changed a little, but that's how we started STTN