Arrgh I am so confused!!!

[Caramello]

I am getting conflicting advice from nurses and I would like to know what I should be doing...

DS is just over 12 weeks old. He has started sleeping through for about 8 to 9 hours. At one stage he was having 180 mls every 4 hours.

However he has now dropped back to having between 75 - 150mls every 3 hours. He is waking up hungry after sleeping for about 2 hours.

Now this is where the conflicting advice comes in. I have no problem demand feeding, but when I asked one of the ECC nurses about it, she advised that he needs to wait at least 3 hours for the formula to digest. This nurse also told me to use a dummy to extend his feeding time.

Even if I do this - only to get him to 3 hours - he still only has a limited amount - never more than 150, and usually struggles to 120. He will spit out the teat and make faces of disgust. Another nurse said that this was a good thing as he was self regulating.

So is the first nurse correct - does he need 3 hours to digest? Or can I give him a smaller amount (ie 60 mls) between the major feeds?

Any help appreciated.

[Arimeh]

I think you go with what suits him best

DS was a 4 hourly feeder - on the dot. DD1 was a 2 hourly feeder - in small amounts. So I demand fed her, annd at around 4 months she extended it to 3 hours on her own doing.

DD2 was a bit all over the shop - but settled down to 3 hourly feeds at that age.

[ss_storm]

I'd go with what you think is best...if you want to feed him a little bit before the 3 hours is up then go for it. He might be having a growth spurt so is hungry but his little tummy just can't fit it all in at once...if you try it and it doesn't work, then at least you know that's not the issue. I 'demand' fed too, rather than sticking to a schedule

[Ree*Ree]

I've not heard the 3 hour rule before..I always demand fed my DS, but found he started off demanding every 3 hours until around 3 months, then he became a 4 hourly feeder. Though every now and then, for about a week at a time, he would want smaller amounts more often and this always occured around the 'growth spurt' milestones, so maybe thats what your little guy is doing right now, and he'll settle back into a 'normal' pattern in a few days?

[butterfly_warrior]

A lot of these nurses seem to forget that nobody gave the babies the rule books.

Do what suits you and suits him and most importantly, gives you a happy and settled baby.

Follow your instincts, but personally, I think I'd be going with the second nurse's theory.

BW

[Trillian]

Ignore them and listen to Tommy, he knows what he's doing and if he's snacking, he must need it. Don't forget that they wonder week again about this age, so that could be the reason behind the change in patterns You're doing just great!

[Mum2Romone]

I always thought demand feeding was only for breastfeeding, but I guess if he's making the movements with his mouth or 'his' que that he is hungry I would feed him, but maybe you could look up the formula on the net? And it might suggest something?

[Doing my best]

I demand fed both my children on formula. Most kids won't take what they don't want/need. I have never heard the 3 hr rule either, and as there are so many other guidelines that must be stated on the tin, then I would think that would be one of them.

If I wasn't sure that they wanted a feed, or if it was just a snack, I would make a smaller amount and get more if need be

[Arimeh]

I always thought demand feeding was only for breastfeeding

I think if a baby is hungry you should feed it - no matter what type of milk it is

[Arimeh]

I always thought demand feeding was only for breastfeeding

I think if a baby is hungry you should feed it - no matter what type of milk it is

[butterfly_warrior]

A formula fed baby is still a baby and will demand food in the exact same way that a breast fed baby does. The formula tin suggests a number of feeds and an amount for each feed, but in reality the only thing on the tin that you MUST follow is how to make up the formula.

[Caramello]

Well I'm happy to say that I'm ignoring the advice from the nurse about the 3 hourly feed and DS is having more formula when he wants it. Unfortunately that also means that the night feed is back again (which DH was slightly disgruntled about as it was his turn to do the night feeds last night ) But DS is much better for it.

[willow5]

Well done, I think it's always best to follow what bub wants and go with your gut which is what you were doing before the nurse suggested otherwise Mum and bub know best

[Arimeh]

Hehe Eden went for ages without a night feed and would sleep through, then she got to about 7 months and has wanted a night feed ever since!!!

[Jill]

I have to admit my 5 week old bub is doing exactly the same. She was on 120ml every 4 hours and I was about to gradually increase her feed to 150ml but lo and behold from a few days ago she's started asking to be fed every 3 hours (sometimes less) in smaller amount (not more than 90ml). At first I was a bit worried but reading your comments I feel much better.

[willow5]

Hi Jill, sounds like bub knows what she needs Go with your gut and you'll usually get it right, if she's happy and healthy you're doing the right thing!

[delphmoon]

Hehe Eden went for ages without a night feed and would sleep through, then she got to about 7 months and has wanted a night feed ever since!!!

shhhhhh, don't tell me that....lol

[Jill]

Hi again,
Yes yes yes bub is doing fine. Went to our pediatrician's appointment yesterday and dr was very happy with bub. She's gained about a kilo from her birth weight - 3.56 to 4.58 and just this morning we saw her first smile! Indeed our dear Majella knows what she needs.