Do you feed your newborn on demand?

DD is 12 days old and eat about 3oz every 2-3 hours. Sometimes she looks to be hungry an hour after a feeding. I usually feed her again.. or should I be sticking to a schedule?

I don't want to starve her

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I'm EBFing, but I always feed on demand.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

DS is one month, and I have been BFing on demand. He generally feeds every 2-3 hours, which is completely normal according to my Dr., especially if they are having a growth spurt.

But she also said if I want to now, I can start trying to space it to every 3-4 hours. It hasn't really worked because I usually give in and feed him..I don't want to starve him either.

HTH.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

yes, I always fed on demand, dd used to eat every 2 hours or so

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

My drs told me to do this. I still use my judgement at 3 mths old and feed if I feel she really wants it.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I always feed on demand...I still do.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

i would feed her is shes hungry. most babies will stop eating when they are full. as long as shes not eating like 2 8oz bottles every 2 hours, i think you're ok lol. use your 'mommy judgement'.... you know your baby... even after only 12 days

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

yup, and in time she'll develop her own "schedule", right now at 3 months she's still all over the place...

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I feel on demand, still at 4.5 months. You can't reason with a starving baby, when they are hungry, they're hungry.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I pump and supplement with formula and give to DD whenever she wants it. Glad to know that what I am doing is right, will stick to feeding on demand.

Thanks ladies!

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I fed on demand

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I always feed on demand

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I BF on demand but I think that's different than bottle feeding. Not sure.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

always feed on demand, I always have and I always will DS is 5 months

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

Message edited 3/3/2009 11:46:07 AM.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

DS is 15 days old and we have been feeding 4 ounces every 4 hours for the past two days and it has been working. but I will give him more if it seems like he's hungry.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I try to stick to somewhat of a schedule with eating (formula feeding), but when my DD has shown signs of hunger I do feed her. She pretty much goes with the schedule though. After a few times of her seeming to want to eat earlier, I just upped her intake and she went back to the schedule.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

He is 6 weeks and kind of on a schedule of 41/2oz every 3-4 hours (except at night) but if he is hungry i will feed him. The doctor said to feed on demand but not to go over 32oz a day.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I was feeding DS on demand, but as his reflux got worse, he didnt want to eat. I now try and feed him every 3-4 hours and lately I am lucky if he takes 4 oz. He never cries for a bottle, he just doesnt care to eat!

Message edited 3/3/2009 12:23:43 PM.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

Yes I fed both my BF newborns on demand.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

Yes, I am BFing on demand. Sometimes he's done nursing and he is still looking for more. When that's the case I will supplement with a 2 oz. vottle. He'll usually take 1/2 oz to 1 oz. and is done.
There has been times where he will drink the whole 2 oz. I think he was going through a growth spurt.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

If you are EBF keep feeding her on demand. This will definitely increase yoru supply.

Re: Do you feed your newborn on demand?

I was FF DS, and after about 1 month I stopped feeding on demand as DS is a comfort eater. Even now at 15 months he wants to eat if he is cranky or tired or mad or bored you name it.

DS used to eat 6 oz at that age and then less than 2 hours later be crying for more. It was just because he loved his bottle wouldnt take a paci and felt comforted by the bottle.

So we started a 3 hour schedule, if he cried in between we tried to distract him in order to hold him over to 3 hours.

ETA: Have you tried increasing the amount she takes in each bottle, maybe 3oz isnt holding her over now

Message edited 3/3/2009 1:31:51 PM.