combi feeding, demand feeding? (5 weeks old)

[Mica]

My LO is 5 weeks old, and since 2 weeks we have been combi feeding with expressed breast milk and formula. Since he's now getting more breast milk than formula, I'm not sure I'm posting in the right forum, but here goes.
When we started bottles, we were given instructions to give him 2-3 oz every 2 hours in the day, every 4 hours at night. We did that at first, but it seemed like he was getting hungry sooner than 2 hours. We started giving him 3-4 oz for a while, but then when we went for a weight check the nurse told us we were giving him too much. So we've been doing around 3 oz since then... but still, he starts acting hungry between an hour and an hour-and-a-half after a feeding. I'm worried about over-feeding him, and dad's worried about depriving him. Trying to strike a balance, but I'm not sure how much is enough, how much is too much. If I were breastfeeding still, I wouldn't worry about how much or how often, but with formula I don't want to overdo it. Lately, when we give him breast milk, we'll give him about 3 1/2 oz, and if it's formula then we give him 3 oz.
BTW we are working with specialists in hopes of going back to EBF, but I have a feeling we'll still be using bottles for a while, and might not even drop them completely.So... I'm really new to all of this, breast, bottle, and otherwise. Anyone give me some good reference material and/or advice about bottle feeding?

 

[hopingforit]

I was told by their ped that you can't overfeed a baby. You've got to realize that breastmilk digests faster than formula. At that point, my babies were drinking every 2 hours day and night. I was told if they are hungry then feed them. Babies won't go by the clock so at that age you really need to feed them on demand. I'm really confused as to why they would tell you that you are overfeeding him. If he's hungry you should be feeding him. Like you said, if you were feeding from te breast, you wouldn't worry how often or how much because he would eat when he is hungry until he is full. Why should tha be any different with bottles? Mine are combi-fed (more breastmilk than formula) and I don't limit how much or how often they eat and I wouldn't listen to anyone if they told me to because I'm the one who has to deal with the fussy, hungry babies. Do what you feel is best for him.

 

[Mica]

Thank you for replying. That makes sense to me. Ever since I started expressing breast milk and combi feeding, I've become obsessed with the clock and the measuring cup (so to speak). They told me this many ounces, this many hours, and I guess I took it too literally. Something didn't feel right though... why should I be trying to keep the fussing at bay for an hour or more at a time, just to make it to the next feeding.
Going to try to stop worrying so much about the numbers game and just make sure the baby's content.

 

[MindUtopia]

I agree, don't stress about the amounts and times. Just always have a bottle (of whatever) available and feed anytime your LO is hungry. If he's eating, he's hungry and you can't feed him too much, especially of breast milk (unless he is projectile vomiting it up). Babies don't work on schedules. Babies produce a lot of cortisol when they become stressed and hungry, which is not a good thing, so when they're hungry, feed them. Anyone who tells you otherwise is out of touch. That said, in the early days, it's really easy to misread hunger for other needs, like the need to be held, cuddled, winded, suckled, rocked to sleep, etc. So try lots of things to soothe your baby if you aren't sure that it's hunger. But if you know it is, then just feed that baby. Sounds like you know what feels right. Listening to your instincts is the best thing you can do because know one knows what your baby needs better than you do. Anyone who tells you they do is full of it, if you ask me.

But if it makes you feel better, the general recommendation for how much to bottle feed daily is roughly your LO weight (in kg) * 150-200ml = the daily amount (of formula, so for combi-feeding, it's an even rougher estimate). My guess is that you'll find your pretty much spot on or close to this recommendation with what you're already doing.