How Much Should My Daughter Be Eating???

Updated on January 24, 2007
A.V. asks from Oxford, MI
15 answers

My 5 Month old Daughter Madalynn at four months old she was content with 6 oz of formula every 3-5 hours. One month ago we added rice (she LOVES it) she eats 3 tablesoons (dry) made soupy with her formula inbetween her morning feedings. Now we are starting her on Baby food at Dinner between feedings (Veggies) But how much shuld she eat I do not want to stretch her stomach, my family has a history of being over weight. I give her food between feedings due to her wanting her whole bottle even after eating food. She I even be giving her Baby food? Or just stick to formula?? The DR says to let her eat what she wants, but for instance her first day with Veg (sweet Potatoes) she ate the whole container and then a whole 5 1/2 bottle. Any suggestions?? HELP!!! This is our first child and are unsure of the amount to feed her.

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So What Happened?

Thank you for all your suggestions!!!! She eats 6oz of formula 4 times a day, in the morning between feedings I feed her rice made with formula and between bottles in eve I feed her Veg.

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J.L.

answers from Jackson on

My oldest son was 9lbs 4oz's when he was born. Within the first few months he was eating at least 8ozs of bottle, not all babies stop when they are full. However my Doctor told me to take him back to 6oz and if he is hungry give him water. He never needed the water! All 3 of my kids by five months had 3 "meals" a day, BUT I made their cereal with their formula which left about 5oz. And for the baby food I found that juice after it made them just as happy.Then formula bottles in between meals. None of my kids are over weight now, so I say my plan worked :)Also if she seems to eat her food fast try adding a little cereal or rice mixed in it to thicken it up.

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C.K.

answers from Detroit on

Hi,
Your daughter will be fine, and your Dr. is right. Let her eat want she wants. If she eats to much, she'll let you know. Unfortunitly it will be by her throwing it back up. At 5 months she should be able to hold down jar food and cereal just fine. Have you tried to give her cereal for her breakfast? Try starting off with a 1/4 cup (dry) mixed with formula. You can make it as thick or thin as she can handle. Hopefully things with start to work out for the 2 of you. parenthood is a tricky and confusing time. Things kinda seem to just fall into place. Good luck and have fun. They are only small once!!

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J.S.

answers from Kalamazoo on

It does seem like alot of formula. But babies will decide when they are full.

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K.R.

answers from Detroit on

I have to agree with the majority, and your doctor. She'll decide when she's full and stop eating. If by chance she does eat too much, it will all come back up. I was very concerned about my son and his massive appetite for the same reason, but my doctor explained it to me this way: As long as you're offering healthy things, veggies, fruit etc and not fried or overly fatty foods the chances of them getting into bad eating habits are slim. Most people (barring medical trouble) become over weight more because they're not eating enough of the "good" foods, and too many of the bad ones. (I know that's my major weight downfall)

Just remember eating habits are established within the first 10 years of life. Keep up the good work with the healthy foods and she should be set for life.

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A.A.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I don't even remember how much a five month old eats! :) 6 months is a long time ago. Yep, baby food is great for her...especially if she likes it so much...she's ready! Let her eat what she wants. They grow sooooooo much and their appetite is constantly changing with growth spurts and such also. She'll let you know when she's had enough. Even if she gets a little chubby, it's okay. Babies do that. Then they start to walk and slim right down. I don't think that chubbiness the first year is a determining factor for obesity later in life. My first pediatrician told me its the eating habits they learn at 2 and 3 and so on that make eating habits for later on. Don't stress about it too much. Just enjoy her because pretty soon her first birthday will be right around the corner like my sons.

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L.M.

answers from Detroit on

A.- When my son was 5 weeks old, his appetite was so big that we started him on rice cereal in the morning and night. This was suggested by one pediatrician at our old office. He started taking about 6-8 8oz. bottles of formula A DAY (not including night feedings)at about 8 weeks. Our doc told me to feed him what he wanted, when he wanted it. He was off the charts- 85-90 percentile in weight and height, and the doc told us that no "averages" would apply to him. For instance, how much he "should" be eating, when he "should" be started on solids, etc. Another doc in the same office told me that I was overfeeding him and that he was too big, ran the risk of being obese and was eating way too much. We left that office, for other reasons and our new ped. has always said how healthy he is. He was huge- big and fat and ate all the formula and baby food he wanted. And now, I practically have to force feed him! My point is that your daughter should be fed when she's hungry and you shouldn't be afraid to let her eat! She's probably doing a whole lot of growing, really fast like my Robbie. I got lots of looks and comments on the size and amount of formula I gave him, but I knew it's what he needed and I'm glad I stuck it out. He's a hearty, healthy ball of trouble now, and his size has leveled off. She won't overfeed herself- if she takes too much, she'll start to spit it up and it will be curdled since it made it to her stomach before it came out. Think about moms who breast feed- they never know how much their baby's are getting and they are told to feed them whenever they want to nurse. The same applies to you. Your lucky to have a baby with such a healthy appetite!!!!!!

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C.S.

answers from Detroit on

Baby's won't let you over feed them so don't worry. Your doctor is right, feed her how ever much she wants to eat. At this age, baby's don't have aditudes yet (thank goodness) and won't let you over or under feed them. My 6 month old is eating 2 jars of food and a full 8 oz bottle twice a day, and two feedings of just 8 oz formula. He is perfectly healthy, and his doctor has said he is right where he shouldbe. Don't stress too much if she eats alot one day, and not so much the next day either. Good Luck!

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D.P.

answers from Detroit on

A., babys hit growth spurts and your pediatrician is correct she will eat until she is full. You dont have to worry to much about her getting fat as long as she is a healthy infant who is active. Relax and enjoy your baby but just remember babys can have allergys to certain foods and you need to introduce foods slowly. start with one fruit or one veg for a week(the same one) and see how the baby tolerates it before introducing another. If you introduce multiple things and she breaks out in a rash you will have to start over to eliminate and she which one she is have the reaction too.
Remember this if you over feed them what is the natural thing that will happen- there stomach will empty and how does this happen -you guessed it!! They will throw -up.

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C.V.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi A.,
I wouldn't limit what she is eating. If she is hungrey feed her. You have to remember how fast babies grow. Think about how much they grow the first year. My son was 8 pounds 10 ounces when he was born and at his 1 year check up this week he weighed 26 pounds. Thats alot of growing. My son eats alot and I let him he until he starts throwing it at me. Usually a good sign he's done. LOL! I also have a three and a half year old who gets three meals a day and a snack at about 3 to tide him over until dinner. I wouldn't stress out about it.
Chris

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A.D.

answers from Grand Rapids on

You are doing great and you have nothing to be worried about, it is awesome that you are giving your child solid foods and that she is accepting them. I am a mother of a 2 1/2 year old daughter, and a 14 month old son, both of my children ate very well, and some people thought they ate too much and others thought they didn't eat enough. Both of my children also were drinking more than 6 oz. by 4 months. I have a friend who has a 7 month old that spits out the spoon every time she trys to feed her solids. Every child is different, but I assume as long as it is healthy you shouldn't have much to worry about. Plus if you look on the back of the baby food jars, the amount of calories in them are so few. My cousin's baby in her first solid food feeding at a jar and a half at 4 months. Plus if the Doc is on your side, that is always a plus. Good luck and God Bless.

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L.C.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I found with my four boys who now older (teens and above ages) that giving them water bottles and sippy cups helped alot. I also fed them some little bits of table food. But the water bottles help alot. good luck. L.

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R.W.

answers from Jackson on

Really there is no "need" to even give solids until 6months. But if she is doing well with them, let her eat what she wants.

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A.C.

answers from Detroit on

My son was 10lbs 3oz when he was born they had me put cereal in his bottle when he was only 2 months old because he was just always hungry. So He started on jar foods when he was about 3 1/2 months and loved it he always ate and i say give her what she wants. My son now is going to be three and i cant get him to eat enough now so from him always eating like crazy to not eating very well. I think your dr. is right. Good luck!!

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M.S.

answers from Detroit on

I have been told that it is fine to be feeding your baby jar fruit and veggies, but you should not give rice to her all the time due to the fact that it is all carbs and that can cause your baby to become more likely to favor carbs as she grows up. As far as how much she is eating, She is a growing baby, I wouldnt worry about it, as long as you aren't forcing it on her, she will be just fine!

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B.N.

answers from Saginaw on

well its time to get that sippy cup out during the day bottle brake her at a yr old or even 9 months. she should eat regular meals. wake up give her a sippy cup of her fomula with should be 6 ounces the 2 other ounces add to her cereal with a side of fruit. then a snack like baby bisket with sippy cup of maybe 4 ounce of juice. lunch time give her veg, fruit, and meat with a cup of her formula in her sippy cup. dinner give her the same as lunch but different then what you feed her in veg, and fruit. night time 8 ounce of her formula in a bottle. after her bath give the bottle. and your baby will be so happy keep it up until she is a yr and just start her on regular healthy foods you eat for breakfast and lunch and dinner. she is just a little person. hun. she will let you know when she is full.

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