How Much Is Just Right?

Updated on March 01, 2008
C.P. asks from Norman, OK
5 answers

Hi Gang,

I was curious...my 8 week old eats about 3-4 oz of formula every 3-4 hours. Is this the right amount? When do we increase what he takes in?

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Jack seems quite content with 4oz feedings. However, we did cut his night feeding down to 2 ozs, because we are trying to eliminate it altogether. I sometimes think he just wakes up at 2 because he misses us! I wish I could get him to go a full four hours between bottles, but right now he's more comfortable with three. For some reason, that always kinda screws with my scheduling, but it's more important to me than it is to him! Anyway, the good news is that he's content and healthy. Thanks again!

More Answers

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J.C.

answers from Hattiesburg on

I agree that each child is different, as long as your child is full, the amount is fine. If you are worried that it may be to little, check to make sure he isn't gulping down the formula. Also, my pediatrician said that formula fills the baby up for longer then breast milk, so that could be why it is every 3-4 hours. I breastfed my daughter, so it was about every 2 hours for me. When we switched to formula she could go longer between feedings. We started out filling up the bottle to 6 ounces and letting her decide when she was full. When we figured out how much she liked to eat at a time we cut back the waste.

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K.M.

answers from Baton Rouge on

The amount is normal. You increase when your child lets you know he needs more. He will begin to go less time between bottles;then you should increase.

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J.P.

answers from Monroe on

Hi C., congrats on the little one, boys are so much fun. To be honest every baby is different. My son took 4 ozs for a long time! And he is 8 months old now and still only takes 5 ozs every 3-4 hours. I have tried to fix a 6 oz bottle and see if he will take it but he wont eat it all and that i just a waste, especially when you are buying formula. But even now he still leaves an oz or so still in the bottle after eating. So that just goes to show you how every baby is different, my son ate every 2 hours for months and months, and now he eats baby food and takes juice through out the day so i think that helps hold him over now. Best of luck and if i were you, i would continue giving him the 3-4 until he seems unsatisfied or still hungry after feedings. He will let you know. Hope this helps.

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L.R.

answers from Tulsa on

In Tracy Hogg's "The Baby Whisperer" she says regarding "How Much Formula?":

6-12 weeks: 4 to 6 oz every 4 hrs
3-6 months: Increases to 8 ounces evert 4 hrs.

Obviously every baby is different so if he seems content you are probably giving him the right amount. I breastfed my son but he took his millk in a bottle when I went back to work and he very rarely drank more than 3-4 oz at a feeding even at 6 months. I don't know if he waited to tank up on nursing or if he just didn't need it. I think you will know when Baby Jack is hungry, he will make it clear by either draining the bottle dry and still acting hungry or by not making it to the 3 to 4 hr mark before getting fussy due to being hungry. He might be like my son too and just want smaller amounts at some times and more at others.

Good luck.

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J.B.

answers from Florence on

I think it really just depends on your baby's needs. If your baby acts like he's still hungry after the 3-4 oz, then feed him a little more. If he's still hungry after that, feed him more. But if he seems content with what you've given him, then I wouldn't worry. And every 3-4 hours sounds pretty normal to me.

Beware, though, b/c sometimes they just want to suck on a pacifier, and if you feed them more than they need, it comes out projectile on to you. haha TRUST ME! :)

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