Can a baby eat too much?

I feel like my DD eats too much, is that even possible?

She drinks about 40 oz a day and 2 tbsp of cereal with 1 tbsp of fruit for breakfast and dinner.

Oh and can I add she's still waking in the middle of the night for a bottle (well I think her diaper rash wakes her and then she realizes she's hungry)

She slept 10 -12 hours a night from 6 weeks old until she got sick at 16 weeks. Now she wakes every night anywhere between 1 and 4 to eat. I thought the cereal would help cut back on the formula, but nope.

My ped doesn't seem concerned, but I've heard some on you say she shouldn't drink more than 32 oz.

She's a piggy!!!

Message edited 4/20/2007 9:05:38 AM.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

Well, yes I've always heard that they shouldn't have more than 32oz of formula per day but if your Ped is fine with it and she's not having tummy troubles because of it, I wouldn't argue with that.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

I never heard that they shouldn't have more than 32 oz. Actually, in Baby 411...it says that a baby her age can eat up to 40 oz and usually max out after that.

What if you tried giving her a 6 oz bottle? Maybe she doesn't realize she's full. Does she spit up at all?

As you know, I am a firm believer in "if she's hungry, feed her." Maybe increase the amoung of cereal and the fruit (Steven's up to a whole container of fruit with his cereal...and still looks for more). 1 Tbsp just doesn't sound like a lot to me.

Just suggestions, I am by no means an expert.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

Thanks Steph.

I do try to pull the bottle away before she's finished (or she'd be eating 50 oz ). I just started fruits this week so I was afraid to do more than a tbsp until I know she's not allergic.

Maybe I'll give her more cereal for now.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

I would try giving her more cereal and fruit. Also, have you tried giving her a pacifier in the middle of the night or something like that instead of the bottle? She may be doing that for comfort only.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

If she's hungry, I wouldn't pull the bottle away from her. You could try to give her more food, though. Why only 1 tbsp? See if she'll eat more. I'm not sure how old she is.

Message edited 4/20/2007 4:38:31 PM.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

Thanks everyone.

I don't pull the bottle away, however if she takes a break and doesn't look for it, I don't offer it.

We just started fruit this week, I was thinking to only give one tbsp to start in case she was allergic. It was what a friend suggested.

I guess that's not necessary. I will give her more fruit tonight.

Message edited 4/20/2007 6:39:20 PM.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

I would up her solids. She could be having a growth spurt, too.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

The way I discovered I was overfeeding was the huge amount of spitting up after a bottle.

I agree - could be a birth spurt

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

She does not spit up at all!

I actually kept a log today of what she ate. From 2:30 am until bedtime she at 34 oz, 3 tbsps of cereal, 3 tbsp fruit (she didn't really want her dinner.)

I'm sure she'll be up sometime tonight for a 7 oz bottle.

Re: Can a baby eat too much?

Jodi, if she was spitting up a lot, I'd say you MIGHT be overfeeding her, but since she's not, I wouldn't worry. She's just a growing girl!