How important is a feeding schedule?

simplyinlove

DD has never really been on an eating schedule and now that she's eating solids (well, stage 1 and 2 foods and bites of my food (soft foods)) I'm thinking if I should put her on a schedule. Did you? How important is it? I don't want to mess her up in the future. TIA!

HighSchoolLove

Our schedule is 4 bottles a day. Usually 4-5 hours apart. Currently 2 meals a day: a.m. and p.m. He sets his own schedule and it just depends on when he wakes up. But his eating has always been consistent and when its time to eat is when he gets cranky & lets you know.

P.S. How much water is she getting daily, if any? Just wondering since they're the same age.

javasun

I let DS be the lead when it comes to feeding.  Every baby is diff and some need to eat more often than others. 

simplyinlove

She LOVES water! Our pedi said not to give her more than 2-3 ounces a day, but she actually fuses for that! She wants her sippy cup. (I had read that some ppl were having trouble going from bottle to sippy cup so I introduced it early. She loves her sippy cut.) She probably drinks 4 ounces a day - maybe more. I just fill up her sippy cup about a third of the way (the pink and green pack at BRU w/ the soft nipple) and she drinks that and then some. She LOVES ice too so I guess that adds to that too! How much is your little guy drinking? I'm glad to know I'm not doing a horrible job regarding the schedule! haha! I do want to get her on two meals a day though. I'll start to work on that. Thanks for your input!!!

LoveHimSoMuch

I think a feeding schedule is important - but I agree with javasun, every child is different.

Jack has 5 bottles a day and eats 3 times a day.
He loves food....if I just let him eat and eat, he would!
The doc says he is an overeater, which mean he doesn't know when to stop. So of course, I have to be the one to limit what he takes in. I even have to put the paci in his mouth after he is done with his bottle to finally let his tummy tell his brain he is full.

casncort

DD was always on a schedule. She was like clockwork with her bottles. I was worried about her having too much formula or too many bottles but on her own she dropped the 4th bottle. Now she has a bottle at 7, noon, and 5 and eats 3 meals  a day. By 7 months, she was eating 2 meals (breakfast and dinner).

Cnickler

My main concern for a schedule was making sure he has a meal in the morning, a meal for lunch and a meal for dinner.

I didnt want him to think breakfast was 10 am and snack was 12....other than that.....no schedule.