Hungry 7week old!

[natalie_1982]

The past few days my 7week old has not stopped eating and I am worried I am overfeeding her, is that even possible? When she doesn't want to eat she refuses. In the past 24hrs for example she had a 6oz bottle at 7pm last night then her next at 5:30am, then 7:30am, and a third at 9:30am! She is draining the bottles and is offered water as well, which she will take some of. She doesn't tend to eat as much in the afternoons (thank God) but I just wondered if others experienced this? In the afternoons she might only take 2-3oz at a time, and doesn't have more than 6 6oz bottles in a 24hr period. Could it be a growth spurt? Thanks all xx

[redcrx]

lol, see the worries dont stop once baby arrives

its fine, she wont overeat, if she has too much she will bring it back up.

Id go with the growth spurt theory. Amelia hit one last week and ate and ate but now shes barely taking 3ozs a go.

[Psychick]

HOw much milk does she have in total in a 24 hour period? I always class anything past 6am as a new day. So if she has a feed at 5:30am, I count that in with the previous 24 hour period. Does that make sense? lol

What milk is she on? If shes on the first milk, try her on the one for hungrier fed babies.

I wouldnt worry too much though as it sounds like shes just filling herself up after a good sleep. If youre worried about her gaining too much weight too quick, take her to your local clinic each week to weigh her and keep an eye on her weight. If shes gaining steadily and following the same line on the graph, then theres nothing to worry about. As you say, she may just be having a growth spurt :)

I wished mine would feed that well lol Shes still on 5oz bottles and shes 16 weeks now!

[andrea81]

I would also go for growth spurt! Menna even though she's 4 weeks can drain 4 oz bottles after two hours, but the next day she's having 2 oz bottles every 3 hours!

Their a rule to themselves!

My HV always tells me that they take what the need to and will determind when and how much as they grow! x x x

[natalie_1982]

Thanks eveyrone.

Psy, she doesn't have more than 36oz over 24hrs. I am due to take her to HV to get weighed on Thursday so will see what they say then. I just worry that her little tummy will be stretched and sore after such big feeds so close together first thing in the morning and then small amounts for the rest of the day!

[redcrx]

if shes full and sore then she would be sick. Shes just filling herself up and then topping up in afternoon, Im sure shes fine. of course your HV will advise

going back to the centile figures.

as long as baby is roughly in proportion and there is no more than 2 centile bands between length and height the the HV will not be concerned.

Matthew was always eating, his length and weight shot up rapidly and then his weight tailed off but his height didnt, that when i was told about the centile differences.

[natalie_1982]

The little mare has gone the opposite way today! She had 5oz at 5am and 9am and has been asleep since 11am - she never normally naps in the day, especially as she slept from 8pm until 8:30am last night! She is obviously playing tricks on me....

[PringlesQueen]

My little one is 12 weeks now, and she went through a similar phase as a similar time. Infuriating isn't it? You think you know where you are, then they go and change their own little routines!

Does this mean you are having more success with your breast pump? Some weeks ago you posted to one of my questions saying you were ordering a different breast shield. I am interested to find out how you got on as I am still struggling, despite now using a manual pump.

[natalie_1982]

Hi Squsal, I am no longer breastfeeding as I found I couldn't express more than about 2oz per day, and when baby was on the breast she was coming away hungry and I had to top her up with formula each time. The breast sheild I ordered never arrived so I was unable to try a larger size to see if that helped, I gave my Medela electric pump to my friend though who has smaller boobs than me and she is getting on great with it. prior to that she used a Lindam pump, but it broke and she says that the Medela one is great in comparison.