hi all you moms out there! i was wondering how you get your baby on a 4 hr feeding schedule. it sounds obvious, but he has been eating ever y 2 hours since he was born it seems and is already 13 pounds. the dr said to feed him when hes hungry. any thoughts or personal experiences? or times that would work? ! i have this book by gina ford that is all about scheduling from day one! i'm so confused . is it possible i am over feeding him? he is in the 95th percentile. i sure love my chubba bubba.
i am only bottle feeding! thx!
-- thanks ladies! i appreciate your feedback and input! i have this book by gina ford that is all about scheduling from day one! i'm so confused lol :)
Do not try to put him on a 4 hour feeding schedule! This may lead to malnutrition, poor growth, failure to thrive, and serious supply issues with breastfeeding.
Oh, he's still so little. Are you breastfeeding? If so, he will probably need to eat every 2 hours for a long time. The milk is so perfect for babies that it is digested very quickly, so their tummies get hungry again. It's a great bonding time, a time for you to sit and relax a bit. Enjoy these fleeting days. I never looked at the clock with my babies. I breastfed on demand. They let you know when they are hungry.
Around 3 months my youngest started with every 3-4 hours. She just kind of did it on her own and we were using only bottles as well. Hang in there. He will do it eventually. Enjoy the time together it goes by very fast!!
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Around 3 months my youngest started with every 3-4 hours. She just kind of did it on her own and we were using only bottles as well. Hang in there. He will do it eventually. Enjoy the time together it goes by very fast!!
Truthfully, the only way you're going to extend sleep hours at this age is if you are supplementing your breast milk with formula. Breast milk is digested easily and quickly, while formula takes a while longer. If you want a few more hours at night, pump and feed 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 formula in the bottle. That should allow you to get some rest.
Also, make sure that you pay close attention to how much your baby is eating at each "meal." If he's falling asleep at the bottle or breast before he's full that's another reason he's probably waking quickly. Give a little tickle or bounce to wake him gently so he'll keep eating.
LUCK!
At 7 weeks, I wouldn't try to be putting him on a schedule. He's too young. They will let you know when they're hungry, so fulfill the need. It will eventually taper off. I know right now it probably feels like all you do is feed him, but it will pass. Before you know it he'll be walking talking and refusing to eat LOL
At that age you should be feeding on demand. My son (2.5) ate every other hour until he started sleeping through the night at 3 months. My daughter (1) ate every 4 or 5 hours. Each baby is different. Congrats and good luck! Plus, he is too young to be on any type of schedule. That starts around 4 months or so.
I have always used the demand method which is when the baby wanted to be feed not feed him/her because the clock said so. Just go with what the baby tells you and it should be about every 3 to 4 hours. As his tummy gets bigger it will be a bit longer. How much are you feeding him like 3 to 4 ounces or more a bottle?
My son was a bottle baby and when we got him they said he was drinking 4 ounces at a time. Hubby had shown me how to prepare bottles (like I didn't know) and they were 8 ounce bottles about 4. Well he drink the whole 8 ounce bottle. So we went from there and we were able to create a meal plan for him and he ate about every four hours. It will work out.
My other baby was breastfed.
Good luck to you.
The other S.
