3 1/2 week old feeding schedule

[kat7]

my son is 3 1/2 weeks old.  I have read that by this time he should be eating 4 oz. every 3 to 4 hours, but he eats 4 oz.  and is hungary again in 2 hours.  Sometimes he only eats 2 oz. of hhis bottle and then expects to be fed again in 1 to 2 hrs.  Is this normal?  My mom tells me to put cereal in his bottle, but I know I shouldn"t do that.  Any ideas?

[msklar]

DO Not put cereal in his bottle. He is way to young for that. It will cause digestional problems... He is a very young baby, and you cant really go by text book. ALl babies are different. And the timing is from the beginning of one feeding to the next.  If you are really concerned then call your ped.. but dont put cereal in his bottle.... A good indication that hes eating well are his diapers.. is he giving you plenty of wet and dirty diapers? (I cant remeber the number) I think like 8 a day. If so then hes getting enough. It could be that hes crying for something else..... Soon he will get a better feeding schedule, eating less often...
COngrats on your new baby!!

[PregnantAGAIN]

My son was like that it would vary occasionally on how and when hed eat.....Msklar what do you think you are doing here? Go have sex or do jumping jacks or something! LOL good luck hope it happens soon! Jana

<a href="http://www.daystogo.com"><img src="http://daystogo.com/myimage2.aspx?duedate=8/25/2004&tc=red&f=3&t=1" title="get your free countdown at daystogo.com"></a>

<a href="http://www.daystogo.com"><img src="http://daystogo.com/myimage2.aspx?duedate=8/25/2004&tc=blue&f=3&t=0" title="get your free countdown at daystogo.com"></a>

[eshores23]

My little girl in now 9 months old and I am breastfeeding, so I never have known how much she eats.  However, when she was newborn she did the same thing.  She would nurse and then want to eat 1.5-2 hours later, instead of 3.  When I was at the ped. for her 2 month check up, I mentioned this and they said she had acid-reflux.  She had other symptoms as well, like she wouldn't lay down very well (we slept in the recliner each night with her on my chest).  The ped said that the reason she wanted to eat so often was not because she was hungry necessarily, but maybe because that is the way she knew to be comforted when her tummy hurt.  Of course, it could be that he is just a hungry little boy:  My sister's 10 month old has always nursed every 2 hours!  Good luck and I hope you get some rest--feeding that often is sure to tire you out!

[becksue]

DON'T GIVE HIM CEREAL!!! It could cause him to choke and his belly is probably not ready for it yet. I breastfed my son and he ate every 2 hours for the first 3 jmonths. And I know he ate a lot at a time because when he got the occasional bottle of expressed milk he would have about 5 oz. All babies are different, . Try giving a pacifier, he may also just want to suck, the sucking is what is comforting to them, not necessarily just the milk. Good luck, these first weeks are hard but great times are ahead!!

[kck]

In my opinion at 3 1/2 weeks a child should be fed when hungry, no matter how often (but don't mistake every cry for a hungry one).  How much he drinks is dependent upon his level of hunger and satisfaction.  I think what he is doing is normal.

[msklar]

Believe me, Im not still hanging around by choice...(not that hangin around here is bad) just having my little eban would be better... Im gonna bounce on my birthing ball for a while tonight. Sex doesnt work..(been trying that)... Im getting desperate.. Perhaps some castor oil..lol

<a href="http://www.daystogo.com"><img src="http://www.daystogo.com/myimage2.aspx?duedate=1/30/2004&tc=&f=&t=" title="get your free countdown at daystogo.com"></a>

Yeah right, we will see!

[Melissa Prevost]

Do you wanna sleep at night I know the doc says don't put cearel in there bottel but its the best thing he isn't getting full thats why he wants it and you can't put a baby on a schudal they eat sleep when they want you can't do nothing about it well good luck my son is 3months old and is eatting cearle out of a bowl and eatting apple sauce he is a much better baby now...

[Still_AndiJ]

I would avoid those "textbook" feeding schedules as well. My son nursed ALL THE TIME,lol. Literally for 45 mins at a time and would eat again within 45 minutes after stopping. I guess that is why he went from 8.5 lbs at birth to 10.5 by the time he was 10 days old : ) Eventually they will slow down, just follow their cues and feed on demand. Back in the day, poor mothers were sworn to go by those textbook feeding schedules and babies were only fed every 4 hours no matter what! Times have changed and now we know to feed them when they are hungry, not on a kooky schedule.


Andrea

[Melissa Prevost]

just to add something else they say that about not feeding the babys but when we were all babies we were fed cearel and plus my son has been on it since he was 2weeks old I don't care what anyone says rice cearel is a wonderful thing and if you want a happy baby feed it to him its not gonna hurt them my son choked on the formula by it self he never choked on the rice cearel...

[Still_AndiJ]

No no no no no, do not feed cereal to a child under 4 months of age. The list of reasons is long, including their immature digestive tract, perpensity for future allergies and a major link to obesity. If your baby is hungry, feed them formula, even if it means you have to, OMG, get up and take care of them in the middle of the night.

Huge issue for me, if y'all can't tell. That is almost the worst thing you can do for your infant. They are not old enough to digest cereal until they are 4-6 months old and they should never be given cereal unless they can eat it from a spoon. Reference the American Academy of Pediatrics website or any other reputable site regarding care of newborns and infants and you will get more than enough information regarding this topic.


Andrea

[BostTTC]

I agree with you 100 percent on te cereal topic... Everyone tried to shove it on my son at a young age but I avoided it... He is now VERY healthy... I just fed him when he was hungry, formula only and he turned out fine... By the age of three months he had formed a sleeping schedule which included waking up only once in the middle of the night for a feeding, but if he would fall asleep after 9 pm, he would sleep until 5 the next morning!  I was waking him up for feedings!! On the other hand, my best friend DID put rice cereal in her baby's bottle at a young age and obesity IS A KEY FACTOR!  Her son is now 8 years old and weighs 113 pounds.  Imagine that?  a first grader weighing 10 pounds less than his mother.  LeAnne

[Still_AndiJ]

It really does show, look at how many americans are now fighting obesity and I am willng to be a ton of them had cereal in the their bottles, setting them up for poor eating habits! I have a friend who had her son 13 days after i had my son (she started putting cereal in his bottle at 3 weeks) and he wakes up 2-4 times a night to eat and he is 2!! I couldn't imagine setting my child up for that. It was worth it to me to wake up to nurse, even if it meant waking up several times a night for the first few months. Heck I was used to it, when I am pg i am gettin up at least that often to tinkle!!


Andrea

[Wildfire1073]

My son was that way, wanting to eat every hour or hour and a half.  He was eating like 4-5 ounces at a time.  He just seemed so hungry like he was never satisfied.  My pediatrician told me at 8 weeks I think it was to put about a half teaspoon of rice cereal in his formula.  I think it just mixes up with the formula and makes it a little thicker.  I don't think there is really a digestion issue with this little amount.  Anyway, it worked for me.  I still got up with him a few times a night, but before that I was up ever hour on the hour at night with him.  I even tried a pacifier with him but he just spit it out.  He hated those things.

[becksue]

I also know first hand about the link with obesity. I care for children in my home and one litle boy is 18 months and already weighs over 40 pounds, and I know for a fact that he was given cereal in his bottle VERY eary on. I breastfed my son exclusively for six months, yup no solids till he was 6 months and he had no food allergies and is right on with his weight. the feedings will get easier, just give it timeand have a little patience.

[Melissa Prevost]

my son is on cearel and I'm not about to pull him off now its the only thing he holds down and if it makes him happy so be it but thats how I see it I think its bull to let your baby suffer on a bottel with hardly nothing in it but hey if thats what you want so be it your not gonna change my mind I'm feeding my son cearel...

[becksue]

My son did not suffer because I didn't give him cereal. He was and is a very happy baby. I have no regrets with how I fed him. I gave him everything he needed and he was almost always content. Maybe they fill up more on breastmilk, I don't know. The first few weeks WERE hard, but that's normal. A newborn needs more than an older baby, and I had no problem feeding him more often nkowing I was doing what I thought best. It was a wonderful time of bonding and closeness. I'm sorry if anyone disagrees with me, but that is how i feel about the subject. Didn't mean to offend anyone.

[skd7474]

My son is now 11 weeks and he still is only taking 4oz of formula every 2 1/2 to 3 hours and he goes to bed aroung 10 and gets up once around 4 in the morning. I have tried to give him more formula in his bottle but it just goes to waste. I do have him eating about 2 tablespoons full of cereal every afternoon. He is doing really good eating out of a spoon. Just feed them if they are hungry. Don't worry about a schedule. Do you eat on a schedule?

[kat7]

Thank you for all of your comments.  I feel better knowing that what he is doing is normal.  I will not give him cereal until he can eat it from a spoon and is old enough.  I called the doctor to see if maybe he had acid reflux and he said all the symptoms I named off made him think he did and he told me to cut his bottles down to 2oz. and feed him more often.  At first I was upset because that meant I have to wake up more often during the night and get less sleep than I do now, but then I stopped and thought about it and this is my son I am talking about.  I should never get upset because I have to do something for him.  Especially if it is going to make him feel better!  I felt so bad after that.  Well, anyway, I tried that and it doesn't work.  After he sucks down the 2oz. he screams for more because he is still hungary.  I guess I will just feed him what he wants when he wants it.

Thanks again.  And good luck to all of you.

[PregnantAGAIN]

As a baby I was on cereal at 3 days old, I was allergic to formula and it was what kept me alive, until the drs were willing to see what was wrong with me. I have never been obese, not even chubby. with my first 2 children I was 110 when I got pregnant (5'5) and 140 when I delivered. This time I was like 122 when I got pg still what I should weigh for my height. I honestly dont believe feeding certains things before certain ages do not cause obsesity, if carefully monitored. If you pump your child with excessive amounts of food and juice and let them sit around, thats what causes obesity. Parents should watch how they eat also in front of thier kids. Have you noticed most obese children have obese parents? Children learn what they live, if they see you eating large amounts of food often guess what, they are gonna learn to do it.  As far as digestive issues, I know many a baby who has had cereal early in life but no allergies or problems, cows milk on they other hand is BAD. Back in the old days, kids were eating things that drs now say we shouldnt, and they made it, I mean we are all here arent we?  In other countries people feed thier babies things aside from breastmilk, or formula, and have you noticed? The US is the most obese country! Anyways, I am dont for now just giving my views! Jana

[Still_AndiJ]

Just to add a few more things. Our parents did a ton of things that are now known to be major no-no's. Because some of us turned out okay, does that mean you think it is okay for women to drink and smoke while pg? Just curious. We are a much more informed society now and we have greater access to medical information. It has been proven time and time again that cereal before a certain age (4 months) can have major consequences. If you take some time and actually read up on the studies that have been done, i think you may see where most of us are coming from. I have a hard time following parenting advice from past generations. They thought it was okay to smoke with us in the room, thought it was cute to give us a bottle of beer, soothed our gums with whiskey, and didn't use car seats.

I agree that parents set the tone for bad eating habits, and by feeding your child things they are not ready for is the way it starts.


Andrea

[PregnantAGAIN]

I like how it is assumed that one would think it is ok to drink and smoke during pregnancy because they have different views on feeding. I know the rights and wrongs, do's and donts. I refuse to live my life by the textbook, otherwise I would be running around in a panic that I will get cancer because I had a hotdog. remember that study? Or like this flu panic, ummmm the same number of people die every year from the flu, the media and all these studies cause panic. The reason people could drive without carseats back then was because there werent A**holes driving around not thinking and being irresponsible. Society has changed greatly, and people now are different. Teenagers dont kill people because thier mom smoked during pregnancy, chances are they were misguided in life. TV doesnt make children kill either.  My children are just fine, and I do not follow textbook. Maybe I am the ass here because I choose to have my own beliefs and not let ANYONE change them. There are things I dont do that people say is wrong, but its not them that I dont do it, I just also think it is wrong. Again I am done for now. Sorry if it seems I am very defensive, but I believe we all do as we feel is right, and shouldnt be pushed or harped on by anyone for it. I dont push my religion and I try to only share advice when asked. I dont expect people to do as I do, dont expect others to do as you do.Jana

[becksue]

Who would have thought that such a simple question could turn such a heated debate!! I think what we can get from this is that all children and parents are different, what works for some may not work for others. Do what you  feel is right, whatever it may be, but do so with love, an open heart and a watchful eye.

[PregnantAGAIN]

;c) I think it is all the pregnant horomones going around that are making us catty! Maybe its how the planets are lined up right now! Anyways, I didnt want a heated debate, I just got annoyed because I felt as if I was being attacked. Since I have been preggo, I have been VERY touchy with everyone and everything, I snap in 2 seconds flat! anyways thats it, Jana