Newborn - How Much Milk Is Enough!

Updated on December 20, 2012
V.G. asks from Lake Villa, IL
10 answers

We had our son born on Nov 1st! At his onemonth appointment, doctor told not to give more than 4 oz at a time. Since it leads to heartburn etc. He was drinking 5-6 oz at a time. We reduced the amount and hence he became more frequent. He seems to be hungry after the feeding. We did not face he was cranky after big feeding, infact was more at peace and slept longer - 4-5 hours. Now its down to 2-3 hrs at a time.

What will you do in this case. My point is he was a happy camper before, now he seems to be up more often and also restless.

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So What Happened?

We went back up to 6 OZ now, he sleeps much better and not Cranky, Thank you fir the advise --you guys are the best!

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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

I agree...new pediatrician!! My daughters (twins) are 6 weeks old and eating 6oz every 4-5hrs. One is over 10lbs and one is about 7 1/2lbs. They started at 2oz then 4 then they were 4 and 5 separately and we've now upped them to 6oz each.

Fill their bellies and they will sleep. :)

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J.K.

answers from Wausau on

If he wasn't having reflux issues before, then your doctor is out of touch and gave poor advice.

3 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Personally...if he was taking a full 6 oz, not gassy, and not spitting up after eating (as in, eating too much for his tummy), I can't imagine why the doctor would tell you to back that down.

I can understand if he was having issues, but if not....why?

You know your baby. I'd go back to feeding him how much he'll take per sitting.
If he's not distressed by it, let him eat what he will.

3 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

You need a new pediatrician.

You also need a pediatric gastroenterologist.

2 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Feed him. By two weeks of age, my son was up to 8 oz but back down to every 2 hours...even at night. The doctor said "he must need more" and instructed me to give him a little cereal with his bedtime feeding. I know that is not the normal but it is normal to see the amount increasing and the feedings spacing out.

His direction makes sense IF you had experienced a problem but you didn't. I would let him eat up to 8 oz at a time and IF he still seemed hungry, I would let him have more. Babies do a lot of growing in the first year and both their mind and bodies require the nutrients and calories that they are craving.

I know a number of people that feed their kids exactly what the doctor or chart tells them but they forget that EVERY child is different and the chart is just a guideline. I watched a young mother taking care of her now boyfriend's 7 month old. The child sucked the bottle down and still seemed hungy and she told me the child eats every two hours....at 7 months every two hours is a bit much. I told her that the child needed more at one time so she wasn't hungry every two hours...I grabbed some applesauce I had and we fed it to her. The young lady is well intentioned but has little guidance...I try to help where I can.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Doctors are not gods. Listen to his advice and then do what works for your family. And if that means giving your son 5-6 ounces at a feeding, DO IT! If you notice he's got heartburn, then you can think about cutting back.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.

answers from Augusta on

feed on demand,
ie feed him when he wants it and till he's full.
He's not getting enough if he's restless.
I don't understand a dr that would tell you to feed your baby less.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Are you giving formula or breastmilk?

Newborns have tiny stomachs. They eat small amounts and they eat round the clock every few hours. But there's also the issue that when they are very small, they will suck anything in their mouths vs really needing to be fed. When you say he's taking 6 oz at a time (frankly, my DD never took more than 6 oz at a feeding, though she was fed pumped milk), how often? How much does he get in one day, total?

1 mom found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

He is hungry. Feed him and I bet he is much better.

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

if he was fine on the larger amount go back to that...

you just figured out a puzzle for me though, a new baby started in my daycare and all the mom says he eats is 3 to 4 oz and I am having to make more then that each time after he finishes that up. The last few babies have had parents like this too, wonder if the "new" thing is to tell parents a per feeding amount instead of a daily total?

If your baby gets 32 oz a day in 8 feedings or 32 oz a day in 4 feedings does it really matter? NO. ((I do not know the exact amount for that age that is recommended, just picked a number out of the air that seemed reasonable))

Go back to what was working. The MAIN KEY part of parenting - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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