[olien]

only eats 4x a day!? is this normal??

I recently went from BF to FF (still gets some BM from my freezer stash) and I called a friend to ask her how many bottles she had bc my 7 weren't enough. She told me her 3mo eats 4 - 8oz bottles a day. 8oz all at once -WOW.

I guess I am shocked bc when we went to mostly formula I just kept feeding him on demand just like I was BFing. I dont know if this was the right thing to do but it 'felt' right to me. I even still feed him in the side lying position in the middle of the night so he doesnt even really wake up and it has worked out great.

Is this the way you are supposed to FF a baby? I feel like its a stupid Q but I since have heard others say they do the same. BTW my friend also does CIO

and swaddles with her LO just screaming, obviously not wanting to be swaddled

:so I really dont go by anything she tells me. I was just so surprised I had to share.

 

[Lusa's Mom]

Thanks for posting this. I am in the same boat having to go to FF from BF. I am transitioning this week. I agree 8 oz is waaay too much. Their stomachs are the size of their fist!
My DD is 7.5 months. She has gotten bottles now and then and it seems she is bottomless, but we always stop at a reasonable amount. The Simlac info (yikes) says at this age my DD should be getting 7-8 oz in 4-5 feedings a day. I eat more than 4-5 times a day, so this seems cruel! I guess if you add a few solid meals, that is more reasonable, but I won't be only feeding 4-5 times per day. (By the way we are doing Organic Baby One Formula)

OK so enough about my ranting, You feed your baby a bottle of formula laying down at night? This is my BIG concern. My LO comfort nurses every 2 or so hours at night. I was thinking of making a bunch of 2 oz bottles for the night time. Maybe when she is on straight formula she won't wake up as much to comfort nurse, but some how I doubt it. Also, when the bottle is gone, she gets mad. The pacifier doesn't always suffice

So, with the laying down feeding, do you wake your LO up to eat or how do you have the bottle there ready? Do you worry about the whole formula getting into their ears cuz they are laying down? and do you burp after-seems like that would wake the LO up.

Lots of questions, this is a big change I wish I didn't have to make!
Thanks!!!

 

[JBaxter]

I will disagree. It depends on the child. Im on child #4 and all have been different. I didnt bf very long w/ 1 &2 ( long story) but ds1 was drinking 8oz ay
bottles by 8 weeks EVERY 3-4 hrs. He was always 100% height 75% weight and is still a big buy at 17 ( 6ft1 200lbs) DS2 NEVER drank more than 6oz and was 100% in the weight and 75% height.
Ds3 was in the middle but by 4 months was also drinking 8oz when we switched to ff. ( he also slept 8 hr stretches at 8 weeks)
DS4 is still 50% bf and at 5 1/2 months will ususally do 7oz.

 

[guestmama9920]

just wanted to say

for still feeding on demand and snuggled up at night. Just cause your not longer bf'ing doesn't mean you have to change your routine.

Have you looked at the info regarding paced feeding? Sometimes babies take more milk as with a bottle you can't comfort nurse of course, you always get milk. Just food for thought

 

[darcytrue]

Have you posted this thread under the Breastfeeding forum?

I've never breastfed a child, my older two were FF, but I plan to BF my next baby. I have been reading up on it and researching it and I have read that FF babies tend to eat more because it's easier to do that from a bottle, plus the parents want them to get used to eating more because they will go longer between bottles if they feel they are full longer.

I used to think this as well when mine were younger. Now after all the reading I've done I see that overfeeding FF leads to the colic and gas that my two children both had a lot of when younger. Formula is thicker to begin with so I would think 8 oz is way too much for a 3 mo old. I don't remember either of my children drinking that much at that age.

But like someone else said, all babies are different.

 

[sapphire_chan]

You're doing it right. There's been some studies indicating that your friend's method leads to overeating for the rest of life because the kid doesn't keep that sense of when they're done.

 

[dollyanna]

I don't see why feeding on demand would change because of FF.

I think it must just depend on the kid, because there's just no way that my DD will eat more if she doesn't want it. But, most of the other kids at her daycare eat 8oz bottles. DD does eat a lot throughout the day/night in total oz, way more than 28oz, she just doesn't eat a lot all at once. She probably eats an average of 7-8 times a day. She usually gets 6oz during waking hours and 4oz during middle-of-the-night feedings. This has been her pattern for a few months (she's 10 months now). When she was younger we did more 2oz and 4oz bottles.

I have been thinking about getting some 8oz bottles to try; she does eat that much on occasion (finishes a bottle and still wants more). I wouldn't be opposed to fewer middle-of-the-night feedings

All this makes me wonder if maybe the studies that have found that FF babies are more likely to be obese later in life has to do more with being force-fed as babies than WHAT they're being fed.

 

[dollyanna]

I don't see why feeding on demand would change because of FF.

I think it must just depend on the kid, because there's just no way that my DD will eat more if she doesn't want it. But, most of the other kids at her daycare eat 8oz bottles. DD does eat a lot throughout the day/night in total oz, way more than 28oz, she just doesn't eat a lot all at once. She probably eats an average of 7-8 times a day. She usually gets 6oz during waking hours and 4oz during middle-of-the-night feedings. This has been her pattern for a few months (she's 10 months now). When she was younger we did more 2oz and 4oz bottles.

I have been thinking about getting some 8oz bottles to try; she does eat that much on occasion (finishes a bottle and still wants more). I wouldn't be opposed to fewer middle-of-the-night feedings

All this makes me wonder if maybe the studies that have found that FF babies are more likely to be obese later in life has to do more with being force-fed as babies than WHAT they're being fed.

 

[AnnaGA]

Wow, I can't believe a 3 month old is eating that much at one time!

I have FF'ed both of my kids b/c of a breast redux I had back when I was in college, and I always fed on demand, followed their cues as to when they were full (never forced them to finish a bottle), and cuddled them as much as possible when feeding them.

ANYWAY, at 3 months my DD (now 9 months) was taking probably 6-8 bottles a day, @ 3-4 oz each. She had (still has) severe acid reflux and taking in a larger amount made it SO much worse. It was better for her to get smaller amounts more frequently. Every baby is different, but I cannot imagine giving such a young baby such a huge amount at one time...

 

[Lusa's Mom]

So with FF do you let them have all they want or stop them at a more reasonable amout for thier age/size?
I swear my little 7 mo old is bottomless. We've never let her have more that 8 oz, but still seems to want more. Right now we are limiting her to 6 oz, so she has a bit less more times/day.

 

[coffee.caugh]

my ds has changed his habbits just recently to about 5 bottles a day, 1 3 hours after waking at 6 oz, 4 oz about 4 hours later, a 6 oz bottle for his afternoon naps, an evening 2 oz, and then 8 oz to sleep. maybe 3 wakings during the night and has 2-3 oz at a time.

bfing was so difficult for us to grasp and i wish i could've gotten it down right but i was so scared he wouldn't gain weight (and he kept on losing). formula became his main nutrition around 3 months. before that i was still bfing as much as possible but he became uninterested and honestly it became uncomfortable. but i do feed him on demand as i would with bfing and not a feeding has passed where we do not snuggle and i pet him and hold him close.

while we are on topic of ffing i get really irritated when people assume i do not have a great bond with my baby bc of ffing. and i would love to know how many ffeeders are on this board.. i'd love to have conversations with you too. i end up feeling sort of like an outcast sometimes and when i see other mamas who ff i don't feel so alone. i know ffing is frowned upon here but i wish the mods would put a ff subforum for us too

 

[CozMama]

My 7.5 mo daughter via surrogacy is FF. (I would have tried to induce lactation for her if I hadn't gotten pregnant half way through her gestation.) I have always followed her cues for feeding rather than feed on a schedule.

I started with 2oz feedings (donated breast milk for the first month) and slowly moved up to 4oz feedings. Since I have been using the Playtex 4oz Drop In bottles it was more laziness (sorta) than necessity to got to the larger bottles until extremely recently.

I dug out the 6-8oz bottle for her before bed feed about a month ago and now in the last week are starting to use it more and more for daytime feeds.

The only thing about my bottle feeding that was extremely intentional was the fact that we STILL use the slow nipples predominately. I had hoped to get her latched on and breast feed her once my son came along but she latched 2 times and freaked out every time since. I wanted to keep her used to the slower flow so she had to work for it.

We have started to use the faster nipples for some of her feedings because now she is crawling/climbing/cruising like crazy and has no interest in eating when it takes longer than 5 minutes to eat. I still use the slow nipples for getting ready for naps and bed time.

I have no idea how much per day she is actually eating as I have never really kept track.

 

[Lusa's Mom]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif[/IMG]

Great idea!
I have to transition for medical reasons and it is a lot to figure out!
I also appreciate the conversation
Thanks!

 

[mamazee]

I'm pretty sure I've read that it's actually healthiest for adults to eat 5 times a day even. And babies have smaller tummies and higher metabolisms than adults.

 

[User101]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee.caugh while we are on topic of ffing i get really irritated when people assume i do not have a great bond with my baby bc of ffing. and i would love to know how many ffeeders are on this board.. i'd love to have conversations with you too. i end up feeling sort of like an outcast sometimes and when i see other mamas who ff i don't feel so alone. i know ffing is frowned upon here but i wish the mods would put a ff subforum for us too

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lusa's Mom Great idea! I have to transition for medical reasons and it is a lot to figure out! I also appreciate the conversation Thanks!

Here on MDC, we host threads on formula issues as they come up-- there have been quite a few threads on choosing the best formula in both Breastfeeding Challenges and Adoptive and Foster Parenting, threads on formula for special needs children in the Special Needs forum, threads on supplementing preemies in the NICU forum, threads on homemade formula in Traditional Foods, threads on the nutritional aspects in Nutrition and Good Eating, threads on the health aspects in Health and Healing, threads on working through your feelings in Personal Growth, and threads on bottle nursing here in Life with a Babe. A general "formula feeding thread or forum" would be outside the scope of what MDC could host, because it would simply be too difficult to keep within the UA:

Quote:

Mothering.com is the website of natural family living and advocates natural solutions to parenting challenges. We host discussion of nighttime parenting, loving discipline, natural birth, homebirth, successful breastfeeding, alternative and complementary home remedies, informed consent, and many other topics from a natural point of view. We are not interested, however, in hosting discussions on the merits of crying it out, physical punishment, formula feeding, elective cesarean section, routine infant medical circumcision, or mandatory vaccinations.

I'd be happy to answer any further questions via PM, or you could start a thread in Q&S or PM an admin as well.

 

[jt'smum]

My DD is both FF and BF she usually has 4oz at a time of FF sometimes more sometimes less. It depends on how much she has nursed before she has bottle. I stop feeding when she stops sucking. With nursing I let her suck as long as she feels because I can tell she is just comfort sucking. Babies need on average 32oz a day. So I don't think that the other babe is getting too much just maybe a lot at one time.

 

[olien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lusa's Mom Thanks for posting this. I am in the same boat having to go to FF from BF. I am transitioning this week. I agree 8 oz is waaay too much. Their stomachs are the size of their fist! My DD is 7.5 months. (By the way we are doing Organic Baby One Formula) OK so enough about my ranting, You feed your baby a bottle of formula laying down at night? This is my BIG concern. My LO comfort nurses every 2 or so hours at night. I was thinking of making a bunch of 2 oz bottles for the night time. Maybe when she is on straight formula she won't wake up as much to comfort nurse, but some how I doubt it. Also, when the bottle is gone, she gets mad. The pacifier doesn't always suffice So, with the laying down feeding, do you wake your LO up to eat or how do you have the bottle there ready? Do you worry about the whole formula getting into their ears cuz they are laying down? and do you burp after-seems like that would wake the LO up. Lots of questions, this is a big change I wish I didn't have to make! Thanks!!!

Thanks to everyone for their support & I'm glad to hear I am not alone in this transition

My LO was 7mo when I started to introduce formula & I slowly decreased the time I was BF and increased the FF time. It just got to the point where he started to refuse the breast bc I wasn't making enough BM to satisfy him. So at 8mo1wk he is now FF with .5 to 1oz of BM per day from the freezer. I use the Organic Babys Only formula & use their DHA suppliment also.

I tried to keep the same routine we had during the transition so it wouldnt be hard on either of us, which is why I started to feed lying down. I didnt know formula or BM could get into their ears.? How? Internally or externally?Is that a dumb Q

My Lo used to nurse every 2hrs at night also. but sleeps a little longer now with the formula 3-4hrs and sometimes just checks in that Im still there & doesnt even want to eat. I do not wake up my LO to eat. I can tell when he starts to get ready to wake. he starts moving a lot and reaching for me, which is when he normally would find the boob & snack. I usually can comfort him back to sleep for a few min to run into the bathroom where I have a First Years Night & Day Bottle Warmer (cooler & warmer in one). Get a bottle & heat it (sometimes)& get back in time before he starts to cry for food. Man BF is sooo much easier

and no I do not burp in the night, but my LO burps only about 50% of the time even during the day.

Hope I answered all of your Qs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britishmama just wanted to say for still feeding on demand and snuggled up at night. Just cause your not longer bf'ing doesn't mean you have to change your routine. Have you looked at the info regarding paced feeding?

I have never heard of paced feeding & thanks for the support. I feel like I really need it right now

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee.caugh my ds has changed his habbits just recently to about 5 bottles a day, 1 3 hours after waking at 6 oz, 4 oz about 4 hours later, a 6 oz bottle for his afternoon naps, an evening 2 oz, and then 8 oz to sleep. maybe 3 wakings during the night and has 2-3 oz at a time. and i would love to know how many ffeeders are on this board.. i'd love to have conversations with you too. i end up feeling sort of like an outcast sometimes and when i see other mamas who ff i don't feel so alone. i know ffing is frowned upon here but i wish the mods would put a ff subforum for us too

How do you figure out how much to put into a bottle to minimize waste?? who knew you cant keep a bottle sitting around for a little while like you can with BM. Is this something that will just come with time?

Honestly I was nervous to post this bc of the pro BF line on the boards, but all of you Mamas are always so awesome I figured I had nothing to lose by asking. I would also like to talk to more FF. someone should set up a poll and ask how many BF,FF,BF & FF together people are out there. It would be cool to know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CozMama We have started to use the faster nipples for some of her feedings because now she is crawling/climbing/cruising like crazy and has no interest in eating when it takes longer than 5 minutes to eat. I still use the slow nipples for getting ready for naps and bed time.

I always just used level 1 nipples on the occasion my LO needed a bottle. During the transition the nipples started to get pulled into the bottle when he was sucking & I realized he needed larger ones. Now only 2wks later it is starting to happen again. I cant believe I may need level 3 already. Is the sucking so different from BF that this can happen? Is it normal?
BTW sorry so long

 

[jt'smum]

I too am excited to know that I am not the only mom on here that is BF and FF.
When DD waked at nite we BF and I don't ever burp her when we do. Neither of us wakes fully..With formula she always gets it reclining in my arms and I do burp her. I think she gets more air. I am trying to get the right balance of Formula so we dont have as much waste. Usually we waste a tiny bit, tonite though it was 2 oz.

 

[dollyanna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by olien I usually can comfort him back to sleep for a few min to run into the bathroom where I have a First Years Night & Day Bottle Warmer (cooler & warmer in one). Get a bottle & heat it (sometimes)& get back in time before he starts to cry for food. Man BF is sooo much easier and no I do not burp in the night, but my LO burps only about 50% of the time even during the day.

I did this at first too. Then I realized I can just keep some bottles pre-filled with water next to the can of formula next to our bed. This makes the middle of the night much less hectic

Quote:

Originally Posted by olien How do you figure out how much to put into a bottle to minimize waste?? who knew you cant keep a bottle sitting around for a little while like you can with BM. Is this something that will just come with time?

Yes, it does come with time. As I said in my PP, she'll normally take 6oz at a time during the day (though sometimes it does take a while for her to get through - especially if we are out somewhere and she is distracted). I always make 4 oz bottles in the middle of the night. Sometimes she only eats half, but inevitably when I make only a 2oz she falls asleep by the end like she's fine, but wakes up again hungry within the hour.

FWIW I found that Baby's Only was hard to mix. Clumpy. I use Bright Beginnings Organic.

 

[coffee.caugh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by olien How do you figure out how much to put into a bottle to minimize waste?? who knew you cant keep a bottle sitting around for a little while like you can with BM. Is this something that will just come with time? Honestly I was nervous to post this bc of the pro BF line on the boards, but all of you Mamas are always so awesome I figured I had nothing to lose by asking. I would also like to talk to more FF. someone should set up a poll and ask how many BF,FF,BF & FF together people are out there. It would be cool to know.

i, in the beginning would over estimate is appetite and make too much and end up tossing it which can get expensive.. so it's always better to under prepare than over. 2 oz servings are usually what he needs when he is inbetween feedings or asleep at night. oh and i think you asked the question of what do you do when you feed at night not to let it in the ears. we do cosleep also and he is in the middle and positioned around 3 oclock on a pillow so he is never flat on his back for a feeding. he also never fully wakes for feedings so there is no way i'd move him and wake him up.