Extending feeds

[newbie1984]

My LO is 8 weeks old. Up until a week or so go he was taking 5 Ozs every 4 hours. Now he seems to be taking 3 ozs every 2.5 hours. I know in essence he is taking the same amount but it feels like I'm constantly feeding him. He is formula fed. Any ideas how I can extend him or should I continue to feed him on demand?

I've tried keeping him out so he sleeps longer and therefore goes longer between feeds but it's just impossible to stay out all the time!!!!

Any ideas?

 

[Karate Kid]

C is EBFd but they go through a growth spurt at 8 weeks so probably wants slightly more. I personally would continue feeding on demand xx

 

[russellmuscle]

Hi newbie, I'm kinda in the same boat sometimes with jackson he sometimes comes out of his routine but I usually give him 5 every 4h or if he goes 3h I give him 4oz. Tonight mil broke his feeding pattern so he took 5oz then wanted more 2h later so I just gave him 2oz of boiled water and some milk and then got him to sleep so he's going that bit longer. Then eventually he will settle back into his normal routine.. Hopefully..

You should try giving him boiled water (cooled obv) and see if he will settle with that then when he gets up for his next feed 2hours later give him 4oz and see where u go from there.. Xxx

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[newbie1984]

Is giving them water ok though? X

 

[russellmuscle]

Only give him 2-3oz of water not much, it will just fill him up but then because its just water it means by the next feed he will be that bit hungrier and take all his milk then hopefully go four hours xxx

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[newbie1984]

So he just fed now (3.5oz) so really next feed would be just before bed at 11. If he wants feeding before then should I just try 2oz cool boiled water and then give him his milk at 11? X

 

[knopk@]

Tbh i would just feed on demand. It means his stomach stretches less which i think is the whole point. Later on, you could try extending by 10 mins or so, extending by a lot will be stressful for you and for the baby x

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[russellmuscle]

Yeah its ok in small doses it won't harm them, because jackson was over eating my HV told me to break up the feeds with some water and it also helps keep their bowels ticking along its completely upto you but it worked for me xxxx

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[knopk@]

Babies dont need water unless they are constipated? I wouldnt offer water unless its been advised by a medical professional

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[russellmuscle]

Give it a bash newbie won't harm and if u find he's still hungry then yes just give him the milk but it might keep him it ease for a while longer and take his next bottle better xxxx

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[russellmuscle]

As I said I was advised by HV and it also mentioned in a baby book I got from hospital that water is fine only a couple oz and yes it helps for constipation aswell.

And as I says newbie its completely upto u but it got jackson into a routine and he's still gaining weight and healthy - each to their own.

Xxxxx

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[knopk@]

As I said I was advised by HV and it also mentioned in a baby book I got from hospital that water is fine only a couple oz and yes it helps for constipation aswell.

And as I says newbie its completely upto u but it got jackson into a routine and he's still gaining weight and healthy - each to their own.

Xxxxx

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What i mean is every baby is different and in her case water might not be needed? If he isnt overeating, i just dont see the point of giving water, its not hot, he is not constipated etc. I would personally speak to a HV first but i.mixed fed so different rules may apply. I have always been cautious though

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[russellmuscle]

No but jackson wasn't just told to have it because he was over eating - he was over eating then he got into a routine were he was 3 oz here 2 oz there and that was keeping him going. I didn't give him it every day or anything, just 2oz of water then back to normal the next feed when he wanted it, personally I don't see any harm in that ? But yes newbie if your unsure speak to your HV. Xx

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[newbie1984]

Thanks for your advise Russell I appreciate it xxx

 

[newbie1984]

It's funny because my mum has an old tin of SMA and on that it says to give a baby 1-2oz of water in between feeds. Funny how things always change!!!

 

[Andreabrad]

I thought it was advised to give ff babies a ounce or so of water? So they don't get dehydrated and end up constipated

xx

 

[knopk@]

I think more research comes out relating to infant feeding, formula hasnt been around that long to understand fully but too much water can actually upset babies and make them ill (not 1-2 oz a day of course), thats why they dont advise watering formula down etc.
Totally up to you cause you know your baby better

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[russellmuscle]

Yes I was told this too, keeps them ticking over and not constipated! I notice sometimes jackson looks a bit dehydrated aswell very rarely though.

I have a hospital book that I got this year that advises to give 2oz inbetween feeds then resume and I asked HV and she said yes that sounded fine - and it worked so I didn't see a problem really.

Jackson is ff on C&G stage 1.

Everyones different though. Xxxx

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[knopk@]

Hmmm, maybe its changed since 2011/12? I never found NHS advising water unless it was hot or they were ill/had temperature. Russelmusscle,.was it 1-5 book or just a booklet, out of interest? Stuff i got didnt say babies needed water by default if FF

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[babyem]

It's funny because my mum has an old tin of SMA and on that it says to give a baby 1-2oz of water in between feeds. Funny how things always change!!!

Its not on the new tins.
I agree with knopk, I think that giving water to babies shouldnt be advised by anyone other than a health professionals and that doing so on PF is risky as each baby is different and we dont know everything about their health etc. Xx

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