Feeding Schedule Cues & Wives Tale Question

I would say his feeding schedule sounds about right for his age. Feed him when he is hungry, with as much as he will eat. His feeding schedule will change as he gets older and his tummy gets bigger. There's no definite age when it happens - just whenever he gets there. Follow his cues.

As far as standing, if he wants to, let him for a few minutes. It strengthens his legs, and there is no conclusive evidence that it causes bow-legs. All 3 of my kids like to push up to a standing position. My middle child had bow-legs for a while but it was moulding from before he was born. He was my earliest walker, and he grew out of the bow-legs by the time he was 2 or 3 (he's now 8 and perfectly normal legs)

lol on the bow-legged wives tale-- my dd started standing up to things at 4 months and I had someone tell me this would happen--I have 10 younger siblings most were early walkers so I rolled my eyes and let it go--
the same person then proceeded to tell a mutual friend her son WAS bow-legged, well he had learned to walk by planting his feet toes out butt back and belly forward to manage his balance it was really cute to watch him walk and when he got better at his balance his toes weren't planted out, he was definitely not bow-legged and by them our old wives tale friend had moved on to other things our kids would have or did have as problems. lol. I wouldn't add that stress to the mommy pile. you baby will be fine, take cues from the kid and they always do things when they are ready to (even if we want it sooner or later...I wish my dd hadn't been so mobile by 9 months...I thought I would be chasing a crawler at that age not a runner--) but they all do things on their own time. we can prod but ultimately the kids do it when they are developmentally ready. go ahead and roll your eyes at that one...although since its a MIL say thanks for the tip and roll eyes as you walk away. hehe.

Every baby has different cues for hunger. I believe that like adults they don't always get hungry by the clock. Some days will eat more and others less. Watch for his cues - sticking tounge out, smacking lips, nuzzling.... try not to wait for crying if you can. If he doesn't finish a bottle, don't force it. If he cries for more than the 3/4 oz. Give him more. If you follow his cues he'll let you know what he needs. Hope that helps little bit. Trust your instincts and you'll learn to "read" his cues.

I'm not sure about the bowlegged thing, but baby's & children's bones are softer so you should avoid lots of weight, like weightlifting. A girl I knew that danced since she was 3 was also very bowlegged. She tried to squeeze her knees together and it just didn't work.

Hi J. - Dena gave you great advice on feeding. What your MIL said is a total wives tale. Babies legs are normally a little bowed anyway. Just smile and say "yes, mother-dear".

Have fun with your little guy!

LOL both my kids "stood" when they were his age and my son is not bow-legged. I read that it is a natural reflex so no worries there. His feeding schedual sounds text book for his age so you have no worries. My daughter just now started taking 5-6 oz every 3-4 hrs. and she just turned 13 weeks.

I don't know about the feeding question - everyone is different, I guess. My dd ate every 2 hours around the clock until she was 6 months old!

Anyway, I think it is a natural reflex for kids to stand on their legs when placed in that position. My hubby's aunt is a pediatric physical therapist, though and recommended against it with my kids. I can't remember the reason, but it's not b/c of becoming bowlegged. That being said, our kids still did it here and there and walk well with straight legs.

I would suggest you go on Amazon and purchase the book, "On Becoming Babywise" by Ezzo. I learned so much about baby's sleeping and eating patterns from this book! There is a chart in there with when babies typically change eating times. You'll love it.

As for standing him up, that can only help him unless he has hip issues and the doctor would have told you by now not to do it.

Congratulations on your little bundle.

Those mothers in law!! I tell you. What does your hubby say?? In moderation i always say!! As long as he is not on his feet for an extended operiod of time. But it is good for him. As far as the feed ing goes, if you want him on a feeding schedule you must be consistant!! 3-4 ounces means 3-4 hours between feedings. Experiement every now and then by offering him 6-8 ounces first thing in the morning and at 8 pm. He may stay satisfied for a longer period of time . It is trial and error. Your baby does not know if you make a mistake. He loves you no matter what. What you do and are comfortable with are the most reassuring for him as well as you. Good luck and god bless!!

Don't know about feeding schedules as I nursed all my babies, but I do know that out of the 9 children I have, none of them are bull legged. I encouraged them all to stand if that's what they wanted to do. The doctors have been telling moms for years now that this is a great way to strengthen their muscles. If they want to do it then it's time for them to do it.

The leg issue is totally not correct. I think the older generation is just stuck in that mind set! My grams tells me that ALL the time. I just ignore her.
All babies seem to appear bowlegged, but that isn't because we all go around making our kids stand too soon :)
They straighten out as they grow.
Keep doing what you are doing and enjoy!!!

I hear you saying that your baby sleeps from 10-3am. Great! Around 6-12 weeks or so, he will begin to drop that 3 am bottle, assuming you keep him on that nice 3-hour schedule and put him down at the same time every night (and wake him up at the same time in the morning). This is the first "change" you want to help encourage. Of course, you have to meet his dietary requirements during the day (24-28 oz) but it really sounds like he is approaching this or already there. If he is sucking the bottom out of that 4 oz bottle, start to offer more. My kids didn't really start to eat more until around 12 weeks or so, but I don't know your baby. For both my kids, once they hit about 10lbs or so they started to drop that middle of the night feed. From there, the next change would be a 3.5-4hr schedule and at the same time, moving bedtime slowly backwards. My son went from sleeping 11-6 at 15 weeks (7 feeds), to 7-6 within 4 weeks (5 feeds).

Your baby will be different than any other baby as far as feeding changes go. You need to use you intuition and follow baby's cues. There is nothing written in stone for every baby, unfortunately!
Standing will not make a baby bowlegged any more than tickling him will make him stutter. You are right, it will strengthen his legs. Good job to him for having the strength to pull himself up! If you are worried, then let him stand, but hold most of his body weight for him until he's ready to sit down again. Congratulations on your sweet boy!

I'm not too sure about formula feeding since both my babies were breastfed. However, I do know they both liked to "cluster feed" (several slightly smaller feedings much closer together) in the evenings and that would usually lead to a much longer stint without food over the night. Your pediatrician should be able to give you some specific advice related directly to your child's needs at your 2 month well baby check.
For the standing up -- both mine loved it. Neither one is bow-legged.
Good luck to you!

J.,
I second the "baby wise" book, it is controversial, just because some believe that you should feed your baby every time they cry, and that the books says that you should deny them food until its been the appropriate time. However that is not at all what it says. Several times is says, you are the mom/ parent, do what is best for your baby, but if you encourage them to go the full two and a half - three hours (new born) they will eat a full meal and not snack all day. Sounds like you do this already. The others parts of the book talk about scheduling, Nap time, eat time, play time. feed your babe when he gets up rather then before a nap, and nursing to sleep. Helps with learning how to fall asleep with out mom or dad. and all of those things at diffret ages. Love the book.
The clue that you will be looking for is sleeping longer at night. Once he sleeps through or pushes it back farther then you will need to adjust your schedual in the day a little bit to add more calories and keep the food evenly spaced. But that wont be for about another month.so just enjoy your routine for now. The night streach should extend to seven or eight hours by the end of the eighth week or so. Nine to fifteen weeks about 6-7 feedings-never less then 4.
sixteen to twentyfour weeks 5-6 feedings with three of them eating some solids with you at meal times. twenty-five to fifty-two weeks, 4-5 feedings, and two naps. Remembering that if you feel your baby is hungry, by all means feed him.
That gives you the jest of it.
Highly recomend the book, I have used it with all four of mine and they were wonderful babys very predictable and easy to attend to.
Good luck
E.

I just wanted to let you know that my husband started getting our little boy (now almost 2) stand really early and he is not bull legged at all. He stood earlier than most, he could stand on his own for 30 seconds or so when he was 7-8 months, crawl to the middle of the room and stand for 5 minutes if he wanted to at 8-9 months and started walking at 10 months.

Your mother-in-law is hilarious (without meaning to be). Let your little one stand if he wishes. I will not deform his legs. My little guy wanted to stand a lot starting right after he was born.

The older generations always have well meaning advice but not always based off of factual information. My mom asked me when I was 7 months pregnant if I started manipulating my nipples. I was so shocked as to why she would ask that question I didn't have anything to retort. My brothers and sister-in-laws and I now use that as a running joke!

Hey, your feeding schedule sounds great. My babies eat every 2 hours for at least 2-3 months. And 5 hours is a good stretch at night. Every baby is different. I feed on demand and it's worked for all my babies.