Newborn- wants to "snack" on formula sometimes?

Tamida - posted on 11/08/2009

Hi Megan,
I agree with Jennifer Vargas. Try just making her a 2oz bottle at first and then gradually pick up the supply.
But also, (and I know the labels and cartons may not say this) but just because she takes a couple of sips from a 4oz bottle doesn't mean that you have to 'discard' the formula. OH NO! That's a waste of money. Just wash off the nipple and 'refrigerate' the milk until she wants more later. Yes...IT'S COMPLETELY SAFE!
I have an 8 mos old and he went through the same spells early on.....throwing away formula was NOT an option in our household! LOL....

Happy Eatings! :)
Tamida Brockington

Connie - posted on 11/08/2009

Up to age 1, children should be fed "on demand", however, I sympathize with your situation. Formula is terrible expensive. I suggest you keep a journal of her eating habits for a week or so, then present it to your doctor. You may see patterns (is something distracting her when she's eating? Is there certain times she eats more/less?) Then work with your doctor for a solution that is cost effective to you, and healthy for your baby.

Lorraine - posted on 11/08/2009

Sometimes babies just want to suck. Maybe you can try a pacifier if you haven't already.

Lydia - posted on 11/08/2009

If you are worried about wastage then make bottles in 2 ounce lots - If she polishes of 2 ounces then you can refill it with another 2 and if she doesnt finish the first 2 then youve not wasted so much...

Laura - posted on 11/08/2009

Oh yes I remember those days all too well. This was our first child so we didn't know what we were doing. Hayley did the same thing as you described above. We started making just 2 oz at a time even though we 'thought' she would probably eat 4. She would eat 2, then we would make another 2 oz. Sometimes we would just make another 1 (half scoop of formula). She will eventually get on a schedule, you aren't doing anything wrong. And besides, they hit a growth spurt at about 6 weeks anyway so she's probably just not sure how much she wants. As far as refusing the snack... we 'sort of' started doing that. We would just try to 'distract' her for a little while each time to try to extend it as long as we could, but if she's really hungry, she will let you know! haha. Good luck!!

Sara - posted on 11/08/2009

if she takes a pacifier you could try giving that to her instead of a snack. some babies just eat more. My son was never on an eating schedule and he was always hungry. I would just make two ounces and if he wanted more than i would make it an ounce at a time. You can refrigerate the bottles of formula and save for the next feeding. The doctor in the hospital started giving him rice cereal in his bottle to help fill him up for a longer period. It helped a little bit but he still wanted to eat a lot. So we had to start him on baby cereal fix in a bowl when he was about 2 months. You will just have to figure out what she wants.

Jennifer - posted on 11/08/2009

you have to do what feels right to you. at about 6 weeks old they are going thru a growth spurt. so they are going to be a lot hungrier. I nursed all of my boys and there were times i was so engorged that i just want to force feed them. lol i am personally a person who thinks that they should be fed on demand and not scheduled, so i would just put an ounce or two in the bottle and if she wants more make another bottle. formula is so expensive so i would be willing to say it would be worth the extra step. I hope this helps you.