I think I'm creating a snacker...

beeunit · April 2011

I don't understand how it happens, but it does every night lately. Aaron was eating 3oz anywhere between every 2-4 hours. However, at night he'd have a melt down and would eat the 3oz and then still suckle/root. We upped him to 4oz, and he's still eating between every 2-4 hours (we feed on demand). He's still melting down at night though. DH ends up giving him another ounce or so, and then he's (usually) happy. He also has a tendency to eat half of a bottle, and then a half hour later want the rest of it. This can't be a good thing, but I can't force him to finish the entire bottle in one sitting if he doesn't want it. Is it possible to turn a NB into a snacker? Or does that tend to happen when they are older? I do NOT want this to become a theme.

Also...if any of you have the same issues..do you save the remainder of the bottle, or do you toss it out and start brand new when he/she wants more?

frankie119 · April 2011

I wouldn't be too worried at his age. He's still really young and every 2 hours is totally acceptable. Just continue trying to feed him til he's full. You're doing a great job.

globetrotting7 · April 2011

I can't answer the snacking question for you but 4 oz. and still some for a nb is too much. I had this conversation with my doctor the other day, My boy is 2 weeks, and at 1 week was downing 3 oz. and still showing signals of hunger (rooting). I was told that rooting doesn't necessarily mean he's hungry, and his stomach can only hold 3 oz. Our baby sometimes takes the paci to fall asleep or when fussy.

beeunit · April 2011

frankie119:
I wouldn't be too worried at his age. He's still really young and every 2 hours is totally acceptable. Just continue trying to feed him til he's full. You're doing a great job.

:-)

Thank you!

beeunit · April 2011

globetrotting7:
I can't answer the snacking question for you but 4 oz. and still some for a nb is too much. I had this conversation with my doctor the other day, My boy is 2 weeks, and at 1 week was downing 3 oz. and still showing signals of hunger (rooting). I was told that rooting doesn't necessarily mean he's hungry, and his stomach can only hold 3 oz. Our baby sometimes takes the paci to fall asleep or when fussy.

I was worried about this too...I'm going to call the pedi tomorrow to see what she says. He's almost 3 weeks old, but he weighs over 10 lbs so I thought maybe him being a bigger baby had something to do with it. I tried a pacifier and he hates it. I've got to figure something out though, because along with rooting/suckling (which I agree is not always a sign of hunger) he cries until he's fed more.

allyca · April 2011

Whoa. 3-4oz is a lot for a not even 3 week old newborn baby. Normally I would say follow your child's cues but that is a lot...2 months is roughly when they should be eating between 3-4 oz.

Also, just because he is suckling and rooting doesn't mean he is hungry. It is an automatic reflux. If you are okay with it, give him a paci to help soothe him and satisfy him.

ETA: I should have read the response prior to mine...lol. Whoops

spokenfor1583 · April 2011

My DS is eating about 2 1/2-3oz each feeding and it is normal. He eats generally every 2-3 hours or so. When I had mentioned it to my sister she thought it seemed like a lot. But then she was looking at something and saw most baby's at the age DS is at can eat up to 3oz. I know when he is hungry and he isn't getting too much. So I am sure you are doing just fine. You can call your pedi if you want though.

TysMom2011 · April 2011

allyca:
Whoa. 3-4oz is a lot for a not even 3 week old newborn baby. Normally I would say follow your child's cues but that is a lot...2 months is roughly when they should be eating between 3-4 oz.
Also, just because he is suckling and rooting doesn't mean he is hungry. It is an automatic reflux. If you are okay with it, give him a paci to help soothe him and satisfy him.
ETA: I should have read the response prior to mine...lol. Whoops

my DS has been eating 3-4 oz since about 4 weeks and the pedi said this was just fine, it depends on the baby.

are you doing formula or BM?

Phil&Corinna · April 2011

beeunit:

globetrotting7:
I can't answer the snacking question for you but 4 oz. and still some for a nb is too much. I had this conversation with my doctor the other day, My boy is 2 weeks, and at 1 week was downing 3 oz. and still showing signals of hunger (rooting). I was told that rooting doesn't necessarily mean he's hungry, and his stomach can only hold 3 oz. Our baby sometimes takes the paci to fall asleep or when fussy.

I was worried about this too...I'm going to call the pedi tomorrow to see what she says. He's almost 3 weeks old, but he weighs over 10 lbs so I thought maybe him being a bigger baby had something to do with it. I tried a pacifier and he hates it. I've got to figure something out though, because along with rooting/suckling (which I agree is not always a sign of hunger) he cries until he's fed more.

Did you steal my baby?? Sounds exactly like my LO, same amount of food etc.

I read that the formula is good for1hr from when LO first started drinking. So, yes, we will feed from the same bottle (never reheated) as long as it's within the hour.

RSMom32011 · April 2011

My DD does the same thing. Nearly exactly. Except my DD is at 4oz and has been since about 3 weeks. By 1 week she was downing 2-3 ounces. I was terrified I was overfeeding, and asked my pedi about this several times. She assured me it was normal for some babies to eat more than others. She made sure LO wasn't spitting up too much and that she refused the bottle when she was done. I asked about her starting a bottle and not finishing it right away, she also said this was normal. That it was too early for her to start habits like that.

Regarding the leftover formula. If it's within about an hour or so, I use the same formula and bottle. Anything longer, I throw it out.

beeunit · April 2011

TysMom2011:
allyca:
Whoa. 3-4oz is a lot for a not even 3 week old newborn baby. Normally I would say follow your child's cues but that is a lot...2 months is roughly when they should be eating between 3-4 oz.
Also, just because he is suckling and rooting doesn't mean he is hungry. It is an automatic reflux. If you are okay with it, give him a paci to help soothe him and satisfy him.
ETA: I should have read the response prior to mine...lol. Whoops
my DS has been eating 3-4 oz since about 4 weeks and the pedi said this was just fine, it depends on the baby.
are you doing formula or BM?

Formula feed

jenna3016 · April 2011

Re: keeping the remainder - we toss it one hour after he starts the bottle. Sometimes he will take a short nap, and then wake up to finish the bottle.

katemennenga · April 2011

I wanted to mention that some NB will take more than the "normal" 2-3 oz. My DS took 3 ounces in the hospital within an hour of being born (the nurses couldn't believe it) and worked his way up to 4 oz by the time he was 2 weeks old. He was only 7 lbs at birth and the pedi said that every baby was different, not to worry. We also FF. He'll be 7 weeks on Wednesday, and we're up to 4.5 ounces.

If it helps, my little guy HATED the pacifier as well. We just stuck with it and kept giving it to him while swaddling him really tight... it seemed to calm him down after he'd FINALLY accept it. Now he's not so opposed to it, though at times he still refuses it.

Also, when our guy falls asleep mid-bottle, I go change his diaper and that usually wakes him up and he wants the rest of it by the time we're done. Keep it light and bright too during feedings, and not too comfy with warm blankets, etc. Good luck! I know those every-two-hour feedings are soooo rough!

beeunit · April 2011

Thanks everyone for your opinions/advice. I appreciate it, and it makes me happy to know I'm not alone.

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