Eating Every 2 hours

Jennifer - posted on 04/26/2009

This is a great link: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-tell-...

My pediatrician said feed my kids when they are hungry. I think it is more of a hassle for me, and more "annoying" to have to listen to my children screaming b/c they are hungry. As everyone has said, intake increases with weight and it increases with growth spurts.

Mel - posted on 04/26/2009

no some babies will eat every 2 hours it is not too much at all. its only if he is not taking enough each time that u have to try and prolong the feed. with my daughter at the hospital they said i cannot feed her i have to wait 4 hours to get her to be hungry enough to take a whole bottle but if he is eating enough in each bottle then it is ok.

Dawn - posted on 04/25/2009

Totally normal! I wouldn't make him wait the three hours either, especially if he is giving such a good stretch of sleep at night. NOT something to mess with!

Bridget - posted on 04/25/2009

LOL, Emily C totally hit the nail on the head! Totally normal and healthy.But as soon as you relax and get used this he'll switch it up to something new! Probably normal and healthy as well, but none the less nerve wracking! Good luck...

Kileah - posted on 04/24/2009

hey that is perfectly normal!!! especially if you're breastfeeding! your little guy is growing at a fast rate and around weeks 6, 8, 9, 12, etc...they have growth spurts, so you may see him eat more than normal^_^. whether formula or BF, it's perfectly fine. it really isn't good to withhold food from him if that's what he's askin' for;) even if it is 2 hours! my son, who is now 10 months, BF'd every 1 1/2 to 2 hours day and night and really was good for my breastmilk production because it's "supply on demand"...the more he nurses, the more it tells your body you need to make more;) genius! you stick to your gut instincts! you're doin' it right! OH! one REALLY great little tip is if he's crying...the kind of cry will really help you cue into what he's trying to tell you, even at 7 weeks! he makes this "neh, neh" or "ney ney" sound...it's like when you're sucking and your tongue is against the roof of your mouth like you want to suck on something. that's how you'll know. it's crazy, i know, but it totally worked! ;) good luck! you are a wonderful mamma for listening to his needs and responding to them!

Joy - posted on 04/24/2009

Hi Megan,

I definitely wouldn't make him wait 3 hours! Especially if he cries from hunger! Babies have such fast metabolisms and I think your son is right at the average mark. My son ate on demand, about 4 ounces every 2 hours until he was around 3-4 months old. We did gradually have to increase the ounces but this is normal. If he's hungry, he'll eat. If he overeats, he'll spit up more and you'll know to decrease the amount. To answer your question, yes, he will eventuall start going longer between feeds. This will most likely happen once you introduce him to solids. I'm also so jealous! My son didn't sleep more than 3-4 hours at a time until he was six months old! You're a lucky girl if you get a solid 6 hours over night! SLEEEEEP! LOL!

Rachael - posted on 04/24/2009

My daughter ate every two hours for a couple of months too. She's almost 6 months and can wait 4 hours between feedings but that last 30-45 minutes can sometimes be torture. Especially if we are in the car. She has also become very nosy, we always have a crawfish boil for Easter with lots of people and she went about 6 hours without eating simply because she did not want to miss any of the action. Not a cry out of her either, I wish she would do that when we go out to eat.

Emily - posted on 04/24/2009

Two hours is absolutely normal at that age especially if he is sleeping so long at night. It actually sounds like a great schedule to me! If he wasn't getting enough during the day he'd be waking up more often at night so keep up with what you are doing until he changes it. Which he is certain to as soon as you get used to it.

Lisa - posted on 04/24/2009

my son is 7 weeks tomorrow and is every 2 hours aswell all day all day all of my boys have feed very often

Jenifer - posted on 04/24/2009

Its normal for a baby that young to eat every two hours. It may be a growth spurt, too. I think its best to feed them when they're hungry. As they get older, they space out their feedings a lot more all on their own - probably by the time he's 3 or 4 months. And also since you're little one sleeps through the night (you're so lucky!) he has to make up for that by eating a little more frequently during the day.

Vanessa - posted on 04/24/2009

my son feed every 2 hours day n nite for 6 months, looking bk i dont know i eva coped!

Veronica - posted on 04/24/2009

hi megan, it's okay,my son did too, have to feed him anytime he wants,he's a boy & boys need more food as his metabolism is higher than girls,he'll build strong muscles,he'll be a very active & sportive boy, he'll be more immune to sickness, germs, and endure pain better when he hit himself when he grows up. you have to follow his meal needs. good luck.

Cathelijn - posted on 04/24/2009

My daughter used to do exactly the same she would eat small amounts every 2 hours. Just be happy he sleeps de 6 hours at night Isabelle also wanted to be fed every 2 hours at night :-). When he starts eating more he will sleep longer. There is no point letting him cry it will distress you and him..

Mikayl - posted on 04/24/2009

That young of a baby, its totally normal for him to want to eat that often. Eventually he will start waiting longer to eat. I agree with everyone else. Feed him when he's hungry!!! A full belly is a happy baby!!! Good Luck and enjoy that sweet little baby!!! It doesnt last long!!!

Samantha - posted on 04/24/2009

He'll start going for longer eventually - but right now he may be getting ready for a growth spurt - its about that time - and he'll settle down later. It sounds like you don't like the idea of "cry it out" so go with your instincts. you are the mom - you know what works for him and you. Trust yourself!

Mylene - posted on 04/24/2009

It's normal for him to eat often... at that age babies have very small stomachs and can only take so much at a time... Moreover, like the other moms said babies eat when they are hungry. It's time consuming and takes a lot of energy to feed every 2 hours but it will change as he gets older.

Bevin - posted on 04/24/2009

My youngest son at every two hours, morning, noon and night for the 1st six months. I don't think they will actually overeat at that age, so if it does not bother you, especially since he is sleeping at night, I would not worry about it. Good Luck!

Terri - posted on 04/24/2009

My son is 2 months and he was like that up until maybe 3 weeks ago. He still does it at times but now I will give him water or juice in between his feedings and that helps alot. But he will eventually begin to wait longer.

Sophie - posted on 04/24/2009

my daughter had the same problem she needed to eat every 2 hours it was very annoying,but the health visitor said just feed her when she wants it.i tried a more boulky milk but she was still feeding the same it didnt work.have a word with your health visitor but your son knows when he is hungry and starving him even for an hour isnt going to fix it. dont worry he will grow out of it,or like my daughter just wont drink milk,but she loves her food.i think as long as he is a good weight,you dont have a problem even though its annoying.he will eventually start to wait longer.hope this helps.

Sharon - posted on 04/24/2009

Hi Megan,
I agree with Regina. I have 6 kids and I learned through trial and error, feed them when they're hungry. They'll stop when they're full. Their to young to eat to much. My youngest, nursed every hour for 4 months, and the doctors office was still concerned she was underweight.

When he's ready, he will change his eating habits. You're mom, you know what's best for him. And don't just let him cry. He doesn't understand. Feed him, comfort him, and just wait for him to do his thing. Believe me, it took me messing up with my older three to figure out to just take care of my kids and feed them when they were hungry and hold them when they cried. Everyone always has tons of advise, but they are not your sons mom. There's no need to worry about the fussing it out, and feeding schedule until he is closer to 4-6 months. Best of luck and congrats on your son!

Regina - posted on 04/24/2009

I'm no authority. I just know how I did with mine, and it seemed to work out well. I believe that you should feed your kids when they're hungry! But, if you want him to go a little longer between meals, you might try stimulating him by rubbing a cool washcloth on his leg or belly when he starts to fall asleep. By keeping him awake longer, you'll be able to feed him a little more at a time and then he should go a little longer between meals. But that's only if you're wanting him to wait longer. If you don't mind feeding every 2 hours, than I don't think there's anything wrong with it! Like I said, I'm no authority.....and maybe some of those younger moms out there would have some better advice and opinions! Best of luck! And congratulations on your new son!!!!