Bottle feeding support and guidelines

[alio]

Well girls, I've finally had to admit that breast feeding is not for me and Finlay. He is much happier and so am I. So I am going gung ho on the bottle feeding and just wanted some words of support.

I also wanted to get some advice from other bottle feeding Mums. Fin is very very hungry. He is on Aptamil 1, he's one week 5 days old but he eats 4oz at every feed (3 hour) and sometimes cries for even more. I know someone posted about guidelines on the side of cartons and people said to ignore them but he's putting on quite a bit of weight and I don't want to overfeed him. Yesterday he even polised off 2 feeds together before he was satisfied, although he had slept for quite a while.

Thanks ladies

 

[isil]

firstly I can totally sympathise! We were instructed to move Alasdair over to have formula top ups at 2 weeks and then I've gradually reduced his breastfeeds to practically nothing but I know he is happy on formula and I feel so much better for giving him formula and I am so much more relaxed now!

I don't believe you can overfeed a little one, even with formula. Chances are he will keep going with the 4 ounces and then realise that it's not going away and he'll settle down. Alasdair took 7 ounces very early on and then went down to 4. Seriously, at Finlay's age he won't be overfeeding and he'll only take what he wants. Don't worry!

Also, the best breastmilk is in the first couple of days, you've done so well even to get to now! Some people manage 1 or 2 feeds and that's all and that's brilliant too. I honestly believe that Finlay will benefit more from you being happy with how you're feeding him than what he would benefit from your breastmilk if you aren't happy bfing.

Enjoy your boy while he's at this stage - I know it won't help me saying it but it goes far too quickly! xx

 

[alio]

firstly I can totally sympathise! We were instructed to move Alasdair over to have formula top ups at 2 weeks and then I've gradually reduced his breastfeeds to practically nothing but I know he is happy on formula and I feel so much better for giving him formula and I am so much more relaxed now!

I don't believe you can overfeed a little one, even with formula. Chances are he will keep going with the 4 ounces and then realise that it's not going away and he'll settle down. Alasdair took 7 ounces very early on and then went down to 4. Seriously, at Finlay's age he won't be overfeeding and he'll only take what he wants. Don't worry!

Also, the best breastmilk is in the first couple of days, you've done so well even to get to now! Some people manage 1 or 2 feeds and that's all and that's brilliant too. I honestly believe that Finlay will benefit more from you being happy with how you're feeding him than what he would benefit from your breastmilk if you aren't happy bfing.

Enjoy your boy while he's at this stage - I know it won't help me saying it but it goes far too quickly! xx

Thanks so much. I really needed that mate. Nice to hear I can stop worrying a bit now! What a time it's been. I can't tell you how nice and supportive it was to read your words. Cheers buddy. xxx

 

[Mervs Mum]

Hey Sweet Cheeks!!! Sorry it didnt work out for you hun but hey - onwards and upwards!!! You've given him a great start and I'm just pleased that you gave it your best shot - no one can expect anymore from you.

I dont know about amounts (its 14 yrs since I FF Emily!!) but I'd say go with the flow - now my sister FF Seth and she just said that when he drained a bottle, she'd increase by an ounce next time. Dunno if that helps!!

xxx

 

[alio]

Hey Sweet Cheeks!!! Sorry it didnt work out for you hun but hey - onwards and upwards!!! You've given him a great start and I'm just pleased that you gave it your best shot - no one can expect anymore from you.

I dont know about amounts (its 14 yrs since I FF Emily!!) but I'd say go with the flow - now my sister FF Seth and she just said that when he drained a bottle, she'd increase by an ounce next time. Dunno if that helps!!

xxx

Thanks for that Lisa. It's been a real struggle for me and the boy, he's only just settling now into having bottles. still a way to go to finding out what it is that fin wants - ha ha. I'm soooo chuffed you cracked it Lisa, at least we're both sane now?!!!


xxxxxx

 

[angellica]

Sorry it didn't work out for you. I think you need to work out what works best for you. Can't advise on the FF though.

 

[Vickie]

He could be going through a growth spurt right now too, hence all the top ups.

 

[jenstar]

I don't know what the answer is because when my baby was getting top-ups we were told two different things:

One HV said if he is not spitting it back up then it's OK feed away.

Another HV said that if we fed him loads in one go he would get used to having a full belly and always want to be full, therefore always want fed even if he didn't really "need" it.


Everyone has their own ideas! Personally I wouldn't want to go too much above the guidelines on the tin, I would worry about upsetting their tummy but that's just me, and I'm not the one listening to the piercing hungry baby cry.

 

[nikky0907]

I've also been told the same thing,if he isn't spiting it up then it's ok.

I know Lola ate more at that age then recommended too,and I'd sometimes give her smaller feeds slightly more often so she'd get more used to them.