by LaRue B.
Member since:
November 15, 2006

Feeding the newborn

February 08, 2008 01:15 PM EST
views: 49 | rating: 10/10 (14 votes) | comments: 16
My 19 year old daughter had a baby on October 31. The child is now 3+ months old.  His birth weight was 7 lbs 2 oz.  Now he weighs almost 20 lbs.  When we came home from the hospital my daughter was told to feed the baby 2-4 hours including during the night.  She fed the child whenever he cried and sometimes when he only was fussing a little.  The doctors say he is fine as far as height and weight, but are amazed at his size.  On one of the last check-ups the doctor told asked us how much he was eating.  My daughter told him 4-5 9 oz bottles per day, but was sleeping pretty much through the night.  The doctor told us to hold him to no more than 4 bottles per day. 
    My question is:  Do the doctors know how much formula a child should take per day?
    My grandson seems to be very healthy and quite happy, but oh what a load for me to take care of when his mother is working. 
    The doctor was trying to get him to respond by calling his name.  I told him to try Pumpkin, as that is what I call him a lot.  The doctor said he looked more like "Budah." 
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Comments: 16

Kimberly Ripley Feb 8, 2008, 1:24pm EST
My daughter is expecting a baby in September and I can't wait for things like this! My kids were big like your grandson. I fed them when they were hungry. They were all different. I don't have any overweight kids today....although I had a few "budahs" when they were babies!!
Amanda C. Feb 8, 2008, 1:36pm EST
well I don't know anything about formula because I exclusively breastfed my daughter. But yes the drs do have guidelines of how much babies should be getting daily.
Some babies just grow faster and are bigger. I know women who breastfed and woman who only formula fed, and none of their children were overfed, yet some weighed a lot and grew fast and others were more petite.
Janet H. Feb 8, 2008, 1:58pm EST
My twin grandbabies were real block busters when they were under a year old, just real chubby babies. Now at almost 4 year years old, they are both quite thin.
Kimber L. Feb 8, 2008, 2:16pm EST
My daughter ate a ton when she was younger and got a little plump and was adorable but lost the "baby fat" as soon as she became a toddler and became very active!
Chris E. Feb 8, 2008, 3:21pm EST
My son was the same way he was drinking 8 oz bottles at about 3 weeks. He gained weight fast he was 21 lbs by 4 months old. As long as his height and weight are in proportion he is fine. Here is a web site that gives guidlelines on how much your baby should eat and when

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-tell-how-much-formula-your-baby-needs_9136.bc

"The doctor said he looked more like "Budah." "

That was kind of rude of him.
Marianne M. Feb 8, 2008, 6:19pm EST
How wonderful to hear that your grand-baby is healthy and happy. My little great-nephew started walking at 8 months. Maybe this little guy will, too?!
Leah Christensen Feb 8, 2008, 6:56pm EST
Big or small, I bet he's a cute one!
Lynn C. Feb 8, 2008, 8:25pm EST
Wow big Baby.
Risa G. Feb 8, 2008, 11:07pm EST
I had to supplement my breastfeeding with bottled formula as I didn't have enough breast milk to feed him completely. He fed almost every 2-3 hours when he was an infant. He is now 12 years old and is one of the tallest kids in his class and skinny as a bean!! He was a fairly chunky infant but the doctor was always saying he was in the 75% of height and of weight and yet he was never a fat baby.

The doctors know exactly how much a baby should be taking in during a day. If you are breastfeeding you have to feed about every 2-3 hours, even in the evening. My son woke me every few hours to feed. 2 am we were up and feeding.

So don't worry about how much he is having right now. He will naturally cut down. Mom should be feeding about 4-5 bottles a day at that age.
Dee - Nature Babe! Feb 10, 2008, 3:59pm EST
Don't know but some of the children born over here are by no means small.
Digital Diva S. Feb 17, 2008, 10:17am EST
I would guess the doctor knows best. If you over feed a baby you set that child up for obesity for life.
William M. Feb 17, 2008, 5:19pm EST
You have to assume the doctors know what they are talking about.
becky soccer mom x1 p. Feb 17, 2008, 6:22pm EST
when my son was born he was 8lb 4 oz. i feed him when he was hungry. by the time i went back to work he was sleeping thru the night for me. (12wks)
i was very blessed. he topped the charts with weight and height. for the 1st 2 yrs . after that and even to this day he is in the 70% area of the charts.

my ped told me to feed when hungry that is what i did.
i guess some feel children are to big, \
Midnite Writer -- Kim Feb 17, 2008, 7:15pm EST
Not sure about formula but after six weeks, we pretty much nixed the night feedings.
Midnite Writer -- Kim Feb 17, 2008, 7:16pm EST
I read a book about "reverse cycle feeding" where the child is fed a LOT during the day and does not wake up at night because of it. Worked fabulously. I breast fed and used formula to supplement because I worked.
ashley s. Feb 17, 2008, 8:04pm EST
my ped always tells me that the baby always knows how much they need. I always feed on demand.

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