4 day old boy feeding probs?????????????

Hi all my wife gave birth to our son just 4 days ago weighing 5 lbs 11 oz.
              we were told that due to his weight we had to try and feed him at least 1-2 oz every 3 hours. i have kept a record of every feed so far with an average result being 1 and a half ounces every 3 hours.
             however he has tonight been extremely hungry, having just over 3 ounces in the last 2 feeds and the last feed was only 2 hours apart.
             i just wanted to no if this is normal having such a big and quick change in appetite or could it be a 1st sing of illness/infection.
             the midwife was here today and i asked her to check his mouth for possible thrush or anything but she assured me all was well with him.
             He is our 3rd (and last) child and we didn't have any problems like this with my 2 daughters who weighted around the same (now 6 and 8) so would appreciate any help/advice/guidance/experience anyone could give

Thank you
james 28

[Kathy421]

It sounds like you are doing the right thing.  Initially the baby's stomach is the size of a walnut, only holding a half ounce.  It does stretch quickly.

Babies usually eat between 2.5 - 3 ounces per pound per day.  Initially in the first week, he may not eat this much and might lose 5-8% of his body weight because the stomach is so small.  They should regain this by the end of the second week.  So if your baby is ~ 6 pounds, then he will be eating 15 - 18 ounces per day.  

The main thing to focus on is your child.  If he is hungry, feed him until he tells you he is full.  Sometimes babies will cluster feed, ie:  feed more frequently during certain times of the day.  Don't worry about this.  Also, he should be peeing multiple times throughout the day.

As long as he is feeding and peeing well, he is doing fine!

[Heatherm4]

Congrats on your baby boy!
I don't think you should worry too much. Especially since your midwife has checked up on him. Sometimes they can vary in how much they drink. Their stomachs are just tiny when they are first born and then stretch. If he's eating more then it should be fine...especially since he's not even 6lbs yet.

[Kathy421]

It sounds like you are doing the right thing.  Initially the baby's stomach is the size of a walnut, only holding a half ounce.  It does stretch quickly.

Babies usually eat between 2.5 - 3 ounces per pound per day.  Initially in the first week, he may not eat this much and might lose 5-8% of his body weight because the stomach is so small.  They should regain this by the end of the second week.  So if your baby is ~ 6 pounds, then he will be eating 15 - 18 ounces per day.  

The main thing to focus on is your child.  If he is hungry, feed him until he tells you he is full.  Sometimes babies will cluster feed, ie:  feed more frequently during certain times of the day.  Don't worry about this.  Also, he should be peeing multiple times throughout the day.

As long as he is feeding and peeing well, he is doing fine!

[jyms]

thank you for your replies the both of you, he is doing quite well now, just a bit of constipation ( passing stone hard poo's when he dose) now and again but was told that, that would stop if i started giving him some boiled water and massaged his stomach.
      Its amazing how much you forget about them isnt it, so thank you again for your replies.  

[Lizzy131]

We had concerns about our son who is three months because his was only having a BM every 10 days and one thing we were told to do is put a little brown sugar in his milk to help make the stool softer. You can as your pediatrition about this it may help your son with his constipation.

Congratulations on your son :)