2.5 X weight rule.. how long does this apply?

[loopy loulou]

When starting to combo feed I had no idea how much formula my LO would need and I read that you should work out 2.5 times their weight in pounds and this is how many oz they should have in 24 hours.

My LO is 15.5lb so is it right that she should be having about 38oz?

She is having a morning BF, 3 X 7oz bottles during day, and a bedtime BF. So 21oz of formula, which means she should be having 17oz more from me at her morning and evening feed!!?! Which she most definitely is NOT. She only takes from one breast for a maximum of 10 minutes.

Is it different for BF? And surely this rule can't apply for much longer because when she is, say, 18lb, she can't be expected to drink 45oz! Can she???

I've only been doing bottles for a few weeks so can't really judge it on her weight gain yet... She seems content, and sleeps 12-13 hours at night, but don't want her to start losing weight if she's not getting enough..

Any advice would be appreciated.. x

 

[OmarsMum]

Omar is 17.2 lbs. According to this guideline he should take 42 oz! He only manages 28-30 oz in 24 hrs & he's exclusively FF. U dont need to worry or count scoops. Omar is a big baby & is on 82 percentile for weight & height & has been on the same line for the past 3 mnths.

 

[suzib76]

honestly if she is happy i wouldnt worry, they are all different and you are offering breast twice a day so if she needs more she will certainly take it

oh and no, she wont be expected to drink all that when she is 18lbs as she will be eating 'real food' by then too

 

[Christine33]

i personally think these guidelines are a load of rubbish.

My baby was 9ibs 6ozs at birth so not little but drinks under what she should be having but she is gaining weight and already in 3-6 month old clothes.

i actually think babies take in what they need and that can change on a day to day basis. as long as they are gaining weight, growing and have wet/dirty nappies you don't have to worry imo. X

 

[loopy loulou]

i personally think these guidelines are a load of rubbish.

My baby was 9ibs 6ozs at birth so not little but drinks under what she should be having but she is gaining weight and already in 3-6 month old clothes.

i actually think babies take in what they need and that can change on a day to day basis. as long as they are gaining weight, growing and have wet/dirty nappies you don't have to worry imo. X

Thanks, Eve was 9lb at birth and has followed the 91st centile ever since. Obviously she's been getting enough! Just don't want the change to FF to change anything..

I agree though, surely they will have hungry days and not-so-hungry days and all babies are different!

 

[Vickie]

Hannah NEVER followed those guidelines, she was always way under what she was "supposed" to have. If your LO is happy, healthy and gaining weight I wouldn't worry about it

 

[Mynx]

Ditto what the other girls have said! Evie was 15.8lb a couple of weeks ago (weigh in again today) and much like nmwb78's Omar, she takes around 28-30oz per day and has followed the 82 percentile for a couple of months now.

 

[aimee-lou]

Guidelines are a load of rubbish on the whole. Earl is a big eater.....at 2 months he weighed 15lb so should have been on 37oz (which is apparently 'too much' for a baby anyway according to guidelines! lol) but was in fact eating in excess of 50oz at some points, averaging around 45. He has been at this level from then, and now at 5 months, weighs 20lb and still has 35 - 40oz a day despite weaning. It's really just that, a guideline, and as such I would just follow your baby's needs rather than listening to the man in the office in London!