How Often Should She Eat?

Dear J.,
Growth is also genetic, don't panic. My family is tall and stocky and my two children grew at a fast pace. Be thankful that she is sleeping all night. This is a good start and don't interupt it because this will set the pattern for the rest of her life. My daughter is now 21 and she is in college and goes to bed early to be rested for school. Good sleeping habits are good. As far as the feedings are concerned don't panic. If you are feeding on demand, she will eat when ready. Are you supplementing her breast feedings with cereal or fruit? This is what will make the difference. Some children are content and happy. Don't worry be grateful you have a happy healthy baby who is not fussy.

WOW 15 pounds at 3.5 months, is big.

mine are 30 pounds and 3 YEARS OLD.

-- every 4 hours is a good amount of time to feed her,

but if she goes 5-6 without a pacifier then thats fine too.

if she is using a paci, then thats why she isn't crying out of hunger,

try not giving it to her.

I would not wake her to feed her, let her sleep as long as she needs to. my kids never starved themselves,

neither will yours, and at 15 pounds you certainly aren't starving her LOL, she will let you know when she is hungry.

M

I say babies eat when they want...and if you're blessed with a baby who sleeps so well...thank God and don't wake her!
Good luck and enjoy Lily - what a beautiful name!
~J.

I would just feed her whenever she wants to be fed, whether it's 2 hours or 5 hours. She'll let you know what she wants. (besides, i could never figure out how to "force breast-feed a baby! mine would just refuse it if they didn't want it!) And why would you ever want to wake up a sleeping baby??? ;)

Hi,
Just thank your lucky stars and let her sleep. Bigger babies supposedly sleep better, my son was 9lbs 7oz at birth and was exclusively breastfed also. He grew quickly, and also slept through the night at 3 months. I didn't worry, just fed when he was hungry. Don't wake a sleeping baby! She won't be sleeping through the night forever, I am sure its a phase, so enjoy it while it lasts. She knows when to eat.
B.

I would say follow your daughter's cues - she knows how much she needs to eat. Especially if she is gaining weight well and a good size for her age, she's just fine. I think my daughter had a similar feeding schedule at that age (it's hard to remember now - she's 2) and she's always been above average on the weight and length charts. Consider yourself lucky - you have some freedom from constant feedings AND you get to sleep!

That's perfectly fine! Just feed her when she is hungry...you will know! :)

HI J.,
Congratulations on having a contented baby. I am lucky to have a great sleeping and eating child. He is now 27 mths old. He has always been in the 98% for wieght. When he was first born I breastfed him 4hrly as he was sleeping already. He was putting on heaps of wieght that I was medically adviced when he was 3 weeks old to reduce a feed. I decided not to put my babe on a diet since he slept well and seemed fine. I am so thankful I listened to myself!!! Like the others who have written, your daughter is sleeping and eating well - enjoy - and fingers crossed that continues!!

I would say let her eat whenever she's hungry... She'll definitely let you know when she is.... The fact that she is a good size for her age is a testimony to the fact that she is getting enough nutrition. Here's to a job well done!