overfeeding? is it possible?

Is it possible to overfeed? My twins are 2 months old and take turns each feeding - 1 gets a bottle and 1 gets nursed. The bottle baby usually has 5 ozs at a feed, but they feed every 4 hours (730, 1130, 330, 730, 1130, 330). Am I not feeding enough (time wise) and too much (formula wise)?

We started out at a smaller amount, but they always seemed hungry. Any one have any thoughts on this?

 

I dont think you can overfeed a newborn, but I know others would disagree.

Are there any stomach issues, spit up, gas, etc? If not and they are content and gaining weight I would think they are fine. Besides if you are alternating each baby with nursing you really dont know how much or how little they are taking at alternating feeds. So if they are happy then I think you are right where you need to be.

 

If you read my signature you can see I have really big babies...who I thought were being overfed, too.
The thing I realized is if I were to make a 6 oz bottle they would only have eaten 4-5 at that age. So logically, I stopped thinking I was over feeding them because they refused food. I don't believe that my children have the ability to over eat. Because they turn down food...a lot.
But, like you, I was also concerned and every doctor and mother who I have spoken too who is at least slightly educated says it's impossible to over feed them. The mothers that I have spoken to who really only get their knowledge from their own head, think it is possible to over feed your child. I wouldn't trust their opinions cause theirs is just culture/what they were taught.

I would ask your pedi to reassure you though A million people can tell you no, they're not being overfed...

Also, at that age I fed my little ones every 3 hours around the clock, so they got 8 bottles a day. And the bottles were 4 oz for my DD and 5 for my DS. You might want to try that, they might eat smaller bottles. But hey if it's working for ya, keep on keepin' on.

I've typed way too much, I'm out.

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Jul 18 2008, 07:17 PM) [snapback]883994[/snapback]
I dont think you can overfeed a newborn, but I know others would disagree.

Are there any stomach issues, spit up, gas, etc? If not and they are content and gaining weight I would think they are fine. Besides if you are alternating each baby with nursing you really dont know how much or how little they are taking at alternating feeds. So if they are happy then I think you are right where you need to be.


I agree with Rachel! It sounds like they are doing great!

 

I believe that babies eat what they need. As long as they are acting hungry, than you should feed them, just like you are .

 

At that age I think mine were eating 5 oz every 3 hours. Actually, they are eating less now - two months later because they have dropped several bottles. Around 2 mos I think they were doing around 35+ oz a day, now they're doing around 30. I worried about overfeeding too, but the dr. insisted that wasn't possible. If they took in too much, they would projectile vomit and you'd know the next time to give less.

 

I think it IS possible to over feed, but I think overfeeding would be if the baby is not hungry and you are ignoring that and trying to feed it anyway. If your babies are hungry - feed them! I also would call the pedi though if you are concerned.

 

QUOTE(aimeethomp @ Jul 19 2008, 08:56 AM) [snapback]884553[/snapback]
I think it IS possible to over feed, but I think overfeeding would be if the baby is not hungry and you are ignoring that and trying to feed it anyway. If your babies are hungry - feed them! I also would call the pedi though if you are concerned.


I agree with Aimee. Ana would eat so fast and then keep eating and then puke (she STILL does), so we'd feed her a little wait and then feed her a little more and when the spitting started we'd stop. Eventually we learned how much she could eat at a time to minimize spitting (her spitting was also from reflux so it was a complicated, and very messy first year). So if they still seem hungry, feed them and see if their little bellies can handle it. GL!

 

I don't think they are overeating if they are not spitting up. We thought the same thing when one of my boys was 10 weeks because he was sometimes eating 34-40 oz a day! My mom convinced me that I should talk to the Dr. about adding rice because he is never full. (I'm 31 and I guess thats what they use to do when we were little). When I called the Dr. she laughed and said that he was fine and probably going through a growth spurt. Sure enough from 2 mth appt he was 11.11 and 21 inches and at 3 1/2 mths he was 15.7 and 24 inches. Now he is back down to 29-32 oz a day.

 

you are not over feeding ..my boys are 2 months old and weigh 12 and 1/2 pounds they eat 7 oz with 3 teaspoons of rice cereal in it every four hours except at night last feeding is between 8-10pm and then they will sleep to like 830 in the morning and my dr is fine with this she cant believe they eat 7 oz but they have been sinse they were 4 weeks old and they finish every drop..