if you formula feed how often

LIAngel

Do you or Did you feed your newborn?  Right now I feed him every 3 hours on the dot.  Of course if he is  hungry, after 2 or 2 1/2 hours I feed him again.   But I'm wondering if I can stretch out the feedings to maybe every 3-4 hours instead of watching the clock and doing it 3 hours on the dot.   Sometimes he doesn't seem hungry-and I have to kind of get him ready for the bottle.  Like wake him up (during the day) and then once he knows the bottle is there, he'll take it.

I don't know his weight as of today, but as of Tuesday it was about 6 lbs.

 I do plan on asking my pedi on Monday.Just wanted to see what you guys do/did.

 

TanyaandChris

If he's above his birth weight, I'd just feed him when he wants to be fed.

You should only have to do every 3 hours if he's under his weight. That's what our pedi said with dd.

ela81

My dd has always been fed about every 3 hours unless she fussed sooner. DDs pedi said (when she was very newborn) to wake her during the day to feed her and let her sleep at night. I never asked about letting her go longer during the day but b/c your DS is 6lbs right now that would be a good question(sorry that was no help). I give dd her bottle when she let me know she's ready which is almost always right at 3 hours, sometimes longer sometime shorter. Sorry I don't really think that was any help but that is how I feed DD.  

tina623

My girls were above their birth weight so I was told that I could let them sleep at night all they wanted but I should feed them at least every 4 hours during the day, so If he seems content, you can stretch it to 4. 

elliek05

My dd is almost 11 weeks old and she's still eating every 2-3 hours, but she's always let me know she's hungry. I've tried giving her more in a feed, but she's just a little and often baby. My child health nurse said as long as she's gaining weight to just feed her what she wants when she wants.

Mrs.McJeep

Once my boys got to above their birth weights we were feeding every 3.5-4 hours. 

R&C&?

If you only feed every 4 hours, you might end up cutting out a feeding or two, so just be aware of the actual ounces he is getting-to make sure it is enough.  You might have to up the size of a bottle or two a day, which would help him also go a little longer.  Chances are with formula if you're feeding him every three hours, his weight is going to be OK at this point.

skoorbnibor

Once E regained to his birth weight, I fed him when he was hungry, regardless of the time elapsed. Still do, in fact.