How often and how much should we be feeding our 3 mo old?

Dana - posted on 05/18/2010

at that age my son was drinking 5 oz every 3 hours... So that really isnt 2 much, he is now 17 weeks and drinking 6 oz every 3 hours.. Some times every 2 hours..

Lisa - posted on 05/18/2010

My daughter is about 3 months and two weeks now... because she sleeps about 12 hours a night her first two feeds are only 2 hours apart and i feed her about 6-7 oz (180-210ml) per feed. The next 3 feeds usually span out every 3 hours give or take 15mins with a large feed before bed. Bella'rae is a demanding feeder though.. and a healthy 16lb!!

Brittany - posted on 05/12/2010

We give our son almost 4 mths...6oz every 3hours9when he wants it) we also give him a 6oz bottle with a scoop of cereal in it before hee goes to sleep at night.

EMALITA - posted on 05/12/2010

I give my 4 month son 4 ounces every three hours. But some babies are different, definately feed her when she hungry =}

Kayla - posted on 05/11/2010

I feed my baby whenever she is hungry and I give her as much as she wants. I am breastfeeding. I don;t understand why your baby needs to be on any sort of schedule.

Tiffany - posted on 05/10/2010

just feed them when the take the bottle , they know when they dont want it or do ! just remember once start crawling and walking they lost it all! best of luck !

Ashlee - posted on 05/09/2010

My doctor told me that the baby lets you know when they are hungery. My son started eating a full 8oz bottle at 6 weeks. He's right at 4 months old and is in 9 month size clothes. But my doctor says his body fat ratio is just fine and his height to weight ratio is right on target. If he's full he spits his bottle out and won't take it and when he's hungery he lets me know my eardrums feel the pain of it. He doesn't always finish a full 8oz in one sitting but 3 out of 5 times he does.

Moana - posted on 05/09/2010

hey there,
I believe your baby will let you no if its too much by throwing it back up, if your babe is happy then she getting the rite amount.

Shannon - posted on 05/09/2010

To be honest with you I have been told by my son's PCM here on base...if he's hungary let him eat till he's full...however wic says diffrently...I just follow his pediatrician's advice...when he's hungary let him eat...and he's not fat at all just a very active metabolism like his father...here is what wic says:

At birth to two moths for breast feeding babies:
8 to 12 feedings OR more per Day
2 to 4 months- 8 to 10 feedings OR more per day
4 to 6 months - 6 to 8 feedings OR more per day
Formula fed:
Birth to 1 month - 2 to 3oz's formula per feeding 8 to 12 feedings per day.
1 to 4 months - 4 to 6 oz formula per feeding - 6 to 8 feedings per day.
4 to 6 months - 5 to 8oz formul per feeding - 5 to 6 feedings per day.
So that is from birth to 6 months on WIC'S say so...HOWEVER...if your child wants more...until the next appointment or make one or ask for phone consult I just give my son as much as he wants. He's actualy still right on target weight for his age and length. So always ask your dr first but like I was told if he wants to eat feed him! So I do. However every child is diffrent so deffinetly get your dr's opinion :)

Rachael - posted on 05/09/2010

my son is 15 weeks and he's just started on bottles.he takes 6oz every 3-4 hours as a rule of thumb they say whatever their weight half it and thats what they should take in oz jack is 12lb 14 oz so he should have 6 oz's.he did try snack feeding every 2 hours and only taking 3-4ozs at a time ,so i just made him wait 2 1/2 hours then the nx feed made him go 2 hours 45 mins and now we are every 3-4 hours he sleeps for about 6 6 1/2 hours at night.hope this helps.x

Shanina - posted on 05/08/2010

My son is 4 mos now and up until a week or so ago I was feeding him 6/7 ounces. Now I'm feeding him 8 and he eats about 4 or 5 times day. Sometimes he eats every four hrs, sometimes every 3 and I'm starting to give him the rice cereal. I'd say take cues from your baby. when my son turned 3 mos I thought he should be eating about 4/5 oz, but he would always cry histerically after I finished feeding him. The doc told me to try feeding him 6/7 and he seemed content after that bottle so I just kept going with that.

April - posted on 05/07/2010

My son Luke, is 4 months and I am feeding him 7 oz. every 4 hours. At 3 months it was 5-6 oz. every 4 hours till I was sure what he could handle. Your baby will be sure and let you know. Watch for the signs. If she sucks her hand or cries afterwards then she is still hungry. Luke's doctor told me that if he is still hungry give him more. So that is my advice to you. If she spits up a lot then she is not hungry or if she spits the bottle out. Let me know if you do this and if it works. I know it does for my son but then again every child is different.
Sincerely,
April

Susan - posted on 05/07/2010

I heard a doctor say, always put an extra ounce in the bottle in case they want more. Each child is different, but every two hours seems often. Are you just feeding her or is she crying for it on demand? Our daughter was a preemie and she is 17 weeks old. She is currently taking 3, 6oz bottles and 2, 5 oz bottle a day - every 4 to 5 hours when awake. At 3 months she was eating every 4 hours and 6 times a day 3, 5 oz bottles and 3, 4 oz bottles. Good Luck!

Kirstie - posted on 05/07/2010

my little boy is 4 months and he has a bottle every 2 hour, some people say give it them when they want it which is what iv always done and some say make him/her wait 4 hours so u dont feel like ur feeding ur baby all the time. but its up to u really. i dont think ur feeding ur baby to much tho my little boy was on 5 ounce every 2 hours.

Sarah - posted on 05/06/2010

my dr said as long as the baby is eating over 24 oz a day its good to feed as needed. also she had me add rice. 1tsp per oz. it helps my little guy stay fuller longer

Joanna - posted on 05/06/2010

Thats a hard question for me I breastfeed and dont really know how much he's getting in so I feed on demand...I look at it this way if we were hungry and someone told us we have to wait an hour that would sooo suck! but theese are babies and their growing so I say if she's hungry feed her because she's growing she's going to get hungry more often at times that means her tummy is growing

Samantha - posted on 05/06/2010

hello. My son is 13weeks and four days old and he eats 8 ounces every 3-4 hours and he has rusks and baby porridge for breakfast and supper. It depends how hungry the child is if they want it just give it to them they will let you know when they don't want anymore.

Katrina - posted on 05/06/2010

My baby is almost 4 months and I breastfeed so i'm not exactly sure how much milk he is getting but I feed him baby food once in the morning and once at night. I don't fed him a whole jar, just a few bites so he can taste it, is that too much?

Ann - posted on 05/04/2010

My son is 4 month's old and 17 1/2 lbs. and he eat's 6-8 ounce's every 2 1/2 -3 hrs. (longer when he's naping or when he's sleeping though the night) he is also on cereal twice a day...I wouldn't wait any longer to feed your little one 3-4 hrs. that is probaly to long..you have to feed her when she seem's to be very hungrey and fussy...I don't know about your little girl but when my son is hungry TRUST ME EVERYBODY AROUND ME AND MY FAMILY/FRIEND'S "NO IT"!!!!!! She also may want alittle bit more to like 5-6 ounce's every 2 1/2 hrs. or so....talk with her doctor and see if they can give you some more advice! Good Luck

Courtney - posted on 05/04/2010

You let her make her own feeding schedule. Don't wake her up just to feed. My daughter was born on the 15th of January and she lets me know when she is hungry and she sleeps thru the night for me. I hope this helps you

Sunny - posted on 05/04/2010

whenever they're hungry! Until they're older and their stomachs are bigger, they are acting hungry because they are hungry!

Terra - posted on 05/04/2010

My son was born Jan 4, 2010, we feed him when he is hungry, he was eating every 2 hours like your daughter, now he has slowed down with the introduction of pablum. Feed your baby when your baby is hungry.

Lara - posted on 05/04/2010

I have beenbreast feeding my 3 month old on demand, this turns out to be every 3 hours. Sometimes its every 1.5 hours and other times he will only feed after 4 hours. Then at night he feeds around 6 pm goes to sleep and only feeds again at 12 or 1 and another 4 hours after that.

Kimberley - posted on 05/04/2010

hi,
i have a 3month old baby girl and she eats about 7 ounces every 4 to 5 hours and she has a bit of baby porridge in the morning just a few spoons. some people would say that that is to soon and that a baby should only be starting on solids when they are 4 to 6 months but she has been eating well and has had no problem with her tummy digesting it. so with my first time mother experience i would say follow your baby because she knows best..she will let you know when she is hungry and let you know when she is not. all babies are different so i don't see how people can come up with one amount to give and what space of time. hope all works out good luck!!!!!

Jessica - posted on 05/03/2010

Our 3 1/2 month old daughter eats 6 oz bottles every four hours or so during the day we give her an 8oz at night and she sleeps from 8-12hrs, then her first bottle of the day is 8 oz also.... I would try to give her a larger bottle IF she will take it... you might not have to feed her every two hours that way. But you really can't overfeed a baby! Let her tell you what she wants!

Tracy - posted on 05/03/2010

dony worry about what other people say do what suits you and your baby. every child is diffrent and because of that you have to find your own way, as long as shes putting on weight and your getting as much rest as you can carry on. the only time i every tried to follow advice about feedin it stressed me totaly out. my son i got told wasnt eating enough and as a result was gaining weight. what they refused to understand was he never kept still despite feeding him loads he just burnt it off. he started walking rolling everywhere at 4 month by 6 months he was walking round the furniture and by 9 months he was off and running. my eldest at 7 months slept 18hours in a one go but then eat non stop for the 6 hours he was awake, and my other 3 all girls were all diffrent again. she'll find a way to tell you if she wants you to do thinks diff when shes ready.

Myra - posted on 05/02/2010

You feed when she wants to eat, as much as she wants to eat. If she is taking all of a bottle most times when you feed her, make another ounce or two until you reach a point that she isn't taking every drop most times when she feeds. To know a baby is truly full, there is supposed to be some left...which is not good if you're paying for formula, but it is the best way to know. Giving her more may decrease the frequency of feedings because she can be satisfied for a longer period of time.

My LO was taking upward of 50-54oz/day until her doctor gave me some recommendations. I put those in place and now she is between 30-36oz/day. Babies are like the rest of us, some just need more to be full than others. Look at yours' cues to know what she needs. Friends, co-workers, and even us here who are (well-intentioned) strangers don't know how your LO is...but you do. Trust your instinct to guide you and you will succeed. :)

Jennifer - posted on 05/02/2010

if your breast feeding she would probably eat every 2 to 3 hours but if your bottle feeding it should be close to every 3 to 4 hours

Rachel - posted on 05/02/2010

My 14 week old son take 5 7 oz bottles a day. Usually 3 hourly between 8 am to 9pm. Has been sleeping through the night for 4 weeks now!! Fingers crossed this will continue!

Susanna - posted on 05/02/2010

No the reason baby is feeding every 2 hours is because 3-4oz isnt enough to keep baby going 4, 4 hours without a feed. My son who is also 3 months old used to do that but then hit a growth spurt and now has 6-7oz every 3.5 to 4 hours.babys will feed when hungry i wouldnt wait for the 3rd of 4th hour to feed because you will just end up with baby being very cranky. hope that helps. good luck

Stacy - posted on 05/01/2010

What I've read online is that babies should eat 2.5 times what they weigh in ounces. So if your child weighs 10 lbs, he or she should be eating 25 ounces of formula a day. My son is three months and one week and eats 8 ounces of formula every four hours or so with his last feeding having half a formula scoop of rice cereal. He sleeps through the night beautifully.

Kelly - posted on 05/01/2010

I do agree to feed when hungry but everytime they fuss and cry or even root always means hunger they could need comforting or gas or babies confuse stomach pains with hunger pains go with your insticts though a mom usually knows what her babies need

Katalin - posted on 05/01/2010

Wow, I'm reading your comments.
Funny, how different they feed.
My daughter is 3 months 2 days. She has 7-8 oz, 4 times a day. Sleeps through the night (7.30pm to 7 am) and gaining weight perfectly. But the bottle will be too small soon. :)
Good luck!

Amy - posted on 05/01/2010

my twins are 3 months old and the oldest was on about 4-5 ounces every two hours as well so i uped his feed then he was going every 4-5 hours which was better as he was more happy

Bethany - posted on 04/30/2010

My son is 3 months 9 days old and eats exactly 4.5 oz. every two hours seven or eight times a day, depending on how long he sleeps for the night stretch. (He will not drink a drop more than that at a time or go longer than 2.5 hours without freaking from being hungry.) Last month, he was eating more ounces less often. They naturally know what they need; go with what she wants!

Melanie - posted on 04/30/2010

Just a thought for Nisreen... I talked to a friend that had same issue of 'shorter feeds' at home (vs longer when out) while breastfeeding and she said that her baby took longer between feedings while they were out, because there was always something going on. Basically, her baby was bored at home, so they ate more often. My girlfriend started working with baby more on 'tummy time', playing, moving around (in carseat from room to room while doing housework for example or in snuggly while loading dishwasher, etc) and babe responded by eating more at meal time and taking longer between feeds.
Hope this helps.

Melanie - posted on 04/30/2010

I agree with all the moms that said to feed baby when they're hungry. We had 'professional' advice on feeding from a 'nutritional consultant' at hospital when our first daughter was born, who told us that we were feeding her too much (2-3oz every 3-ish hrs). She ended up in the hospital for a week with jaundice because she wasn't getting enough in her system to grow and 'flush out' all the contaminants.
I'll suggest to you the same thing my mom (old school nurse)suggested to me:
If they are spitting up alot, they're eating too much. It's normal to spit a little, but babies (usually) know when to quit. If they're never full then they'll eat you out of house & home, and that's the cue to add 'filler' like water or cereal supplement.
Both of our girls are healthy eaters and they both had to be supplemented early (roughly 2 1/2 months). I started by adding water for a couple of days, then added rice cereal (which worked for about 3 weeks) and now our second daughter is eating liquified peas, along with her bottle.
Take your time and try things little by little. If you try to do too much change at once, then you run the risk of constipation, allergic reaction, etc.
Good luck, just like everyone else has said, each baby is different, it's all about finding what works for yours. Just don't forget that you're baby's mom and you know them better than anyone else (except maybe dad). If it feels like there's something wrong / needs to be changed, then there probably is.

Theresa - posted on 04/30/2010

my daughter is 14 wks and she is eating about every 1-2 hrs during the day, that's if she is not napping then she eats 3hrs after her last feeding. but she sleeps 7-10 hrs at night so she gets really hungry during the day, especially a few hours before bedtime.

Jordannee - posted on 04/30/2010

My son is 3months and a day , He eats 7 oz about every 2 1/2 to 3 hrs when he isn't sleeping...(Formula)

Leslie - posted on 04/30/2010

oh and im nursing as well and the doctor told me that at this point my baby will start to eat more constantly and that at the 3rd or 4th day my body will produce what he needs.

Leslie - posted on 04/30/2010

my baby boy is 3 months and he eats 4-5 oz every 3-4 hours and he sleeps 6-8 hours. wait until she cry for hungry, i know it sounds cruel and its dificul for a mom to hear her baby crying but its part of an education. using this feed her whenever she wants. if she sleeps well then she`s eating well.

Tiffani - posted on 04/30/2010

I am of the group that feed on demand. At this point, IMHO, they shouldn't be forced to wait an extra hour or two just because someone else says so. They're going to tell us what they need when they need it and we are obligated to give them what they need.

Nisreen - posted on 04/30/2010

im nursing and my baby still constantly eats!! if we are out and about she can go 3-4 hours but if we are home, it's like every 2 hours or something she wants to eat. I wish it would stretch out a bit more.

Athalene - posted on 04/29/2010

Agree, every baby is different of course the midwives and nurses tell us to feed them every so hours but as they grow I've learnt to feed them on demand. I was like that with my 3month old and sometimes gave in to giving him the formula when I wasn't making enough breastmilk, of course I got the 'talk' from the nurse about why I should stay with breastfeeding (who said I wasn't?) but hey at least they're 1- getting fed, 2-getting all the nutrients from both milk and 3-still bonding with the mother so either way I think as long as you know what's right for your baby it's fine to feed them on demand on not be on a 'schedule' I think it's only a guideline.

Leslie - posted on 04/29/2010

Honestly, do wht you think is right. If you feed her every 2 hours and she is happy with that then keep it up. I breat fed my son on demand. About every three hours workd for him now. He also eat rice cereal 3x a day. But just cause I feed my son like that doesn't mean you must feed your daughter like that. Every baby is different, and every parent knows when they are hungry.

Gyani - posted on 04/29/2010

i think it all depends on if you are breastfeeding or formula feeding. My daughter was born january 11th and feeds 4 ounces every 2-3 hours. Her last feeding at night is at 10p.m and then she wakes at 4 again to feed and then again every 2-3 hours after that. The main thing is feed them when they are hungry.

Karen - posted on 04/29/2010

my son is now 14 weeks old and he is having 5-6oz about every 2-3 hours, started to give him water/juice in between and this week started him on baby rice for his last feed to make him sleep longer - feed on demand :)

Jalissa - posted on 04/29/2010

my son just turned 3 months yesterday he has been taking 4 oz every 2-3 hrs since he has been about a month old i would say and i just switched him to 5 oz he is about 12 lbs and now he eats the 5 oz about every 3-4 hours and he sleeps longer through the night

Sharyn - posted on 04/29/2010

I think it depends on your child, and also weight. However my son is almost 16 weeks old and is eating 5 oz every 2-3 hours. His weight is perfect and hes happy. The thing is, You will know when your child is full, when they are stop feeding them but if shes giving you hungry cues then just feed her. This month they will go through there growing spurt as well so keep that in mind. ♥ ~Sharon

Helen - posted on 04/29/2010

I thought I wasnt feeding my daughter enough cause she only eats 2-3 ozs every 3 hrs the doctor said the rule of thumb is that their weight double it then subtract 1 so my 12 lb daughter needs 23 ozs of formula every 24 hrs. if you breast feed the baby will want to eat every two hours formula they told me every 3 I hope this helps u.