Is my baby eating too much??

schwens3 · October 2015

My baby was born at 36 weeks and was around 5 lbs and 7 oz. He started out slow on formula but since we brought him home he has been a great eater. Since turning 6 weeks (he will be 8 weeks this Friday) he has wanted to eat every 2 hours, sometimes 1 1/2 hours. The doc says he should be between 3-4oz at this age and eating every 3 - 4 hours but even when we give him that oz range he still can want more after only a couple hours. Most feedings he takes 3 1/2 oz and occasionally does 4 oz. but it doesn't always stop him from wanting more not too long after. Am I right to continue following his lead? Am I feeding him too much too close together?

jabeauty90 · October 2015

I feed on demand, ebf. My LO eats constantly and has gained a lb every week. Dr wasn't worried.

ElleMF728 · October 2015

I was worried about this as well, mine is a big eater (I pump, nurse and supplement). From what I've read its pretty hard to overfeed an infant most will stop eating when they aren't hungry anymore. I've seen DS2 spit his bottle out or clamp his mouth shut when he has had enough. I feed on demand, when he is finished I never make him finish a bottle, he frequently has an ounce or two left when he is finished and has only spit up a handful of times since we brought him home.

Try to burp every 2 ounces or so and feed sitting up so it gives the milk a chance to make it to their tummy before they eat too much. Bottles are quicker so sometimes a baby can think they are still hungry when the milk just needs a chance to settle. Usually they will be uncomfortable if they are eating too much as well and can be more fussy or gassy. LO could also just be in the middle of a growth spurt. DS has his 2 month appointment tomorrow morning and I'm going to ask my pedi just to be sure, I can update with what she says if you would like.

Sometimes I swear there is no way he can be hungry but an hour later the poor kid acts like I'm starving him.

schwens3 · October 2015

Yes please do update!!! Sounds like my Henry! Acts like I'm starving him sometimes an hour after feeding! Thanks

morgannichole28 · October 2015

My little boy is the same way. I breast feed and most nights I know he drinks about 2 1/2 oz., but half of the time he is always hungry. But i have always been told that you never have to worry about over feeding them, and to feed them when they are hungry. But of course its harder to do when breastfeeding when you only produce so much each time. But you could always try cereal too. Our doctor and my grandmother always told me add a little rice cereal to their milk it fills them up a little more helps them last longer in between feedings. I started my son on rice cereal right after her turned a month but mostly I only give it to him when it is bed time. Helps him sleep better at night.

ElleMF728 · October 2015

Pedi said everything looks great and wasn't concerned at all about his weight. She told me its normal to eat between 3-5 oz every 2-4 hrs and his cluster feeding in the evenings is completely normal as well. She always tells me to feed on demand so fill him up when he is hungry and stop when he doesn't seem as interested.

I wouldn't do cereal until at least 4 month the though, their little tummies aren't ready to digest it until then from everything I've read and been told by my doctor. I also think that if they are hungry its probably because they are growing and developing and need those extra calories that are nutritious and not wasted filler.

kaybee03 · October 2015

I've been told no rice cereal for several reasons. Aspiration risk, arsenic in rice, and it blocks their hunger/full signals and is correlated with obesity later in life.

natback · October 2015

You should not limit their food! Feed them whenever they want and however much they want. If you limit his food, he may fail to thrive which is neglectful. Just feed the poor kid!!

AmandaNacora · October 2015

Our baby does the same thing. She eats 4-6 oz every 2-3 hours at 6 weeks. She doesn't spit up or seem uncomfortably full so the pedi said to feed her what she wants to eat and she'll stop when she isn't hungry anymore. We usually break up her bottles, we start with 4 oz burp and change her and if she is still hungry we give her an extra 2 oz. So far it's going well. She's just a little fatty haha. But if your baby is hungry do feed them what they want to eat! Babies won't eat too much, they know what their bodies need.

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