Feeding

I wouldn’t offer any more, A general rule of thumb for babies that only eat breastmilk is 1-1.5 oz per hour. So if baby is feeding every 2-3 hours a bottle should contain between 2-4.5 oz. A breastfed baby should never need more than 5 oz per feeding no matter the age. Unlike formula, breastmilk changes in calorie content as baby grows to give them what they need. Often times if a breastfed baby is over fed via bottle it stretches their tummies and this can cause them to be unsettled and can be confused for still being hungry. Are you pace feeding? X

@Emma yes, I'm pace feeding 🙂 he doesn't always finish his 2nd bottle but sometimes he does x

What my midwife advised and I still do even though I’ve not used them in six months is often freeze 1 ounce top ups so that if after a bottle when she has one she’s still a bit funny I can offer that one ounce.

I thought breastfed babies couldn’t be overfed. During growth spurts they feed more often. so I would give another bottle of expressed milk or breastfeed. At 6 weeks they are still a newborn so they are establishing supply and growing so fast. My newborn had full feeds from both boobs every 30 mins most days at that age.

@Hannah from a bottle they absolutely can be overfed on the breast they unlatch they know when they’re full. often bottlefeeding is a passive experience they have no control and they are done when caregiver says they’re done. In regards to growth spurts this is where you want to offer little bottles more often perhaps 2 ounces 3 ounces but pace-fed, the key in your comment Hannah is that at six weeks old your baby was on your breast so could unlatch when full, this baby is on the bottle so therefore can be overfed because it could actually overstretch their tummy because they cannot unlatch

I just saw a lactation specialist on Tuesday ( my LG is around the same age) and she said the same thing as @Emma but also that sometimes breastfed babies need more "suck and cuddle" and it can look like they're hungry.. She recommended either the boob or pacifier with skin to skin and they should settle

@Emma I get what ur saying but my baby did not unlatch at all. She was on my boob actively sucking and swallowing for the first 2 months non stop. She was gaining weight and had plenty dirty nappies. I was just told they can’t be overfed as composition changes so if they don’t need anymore protein it will change to more fatty etc. if a 6 week old baby is showing hungry signs nearly 2 hours later they should be fed. Otherwise your ignoring their hungry signs

@Hannah You’re not understanding what I’m saying if a baby is on the boob they can’t be overfed because they will unlatch. No matter how long that takes; furthermore, a breast fed baby suckles for comfort, but doesn’t take any milk on. This isn’t possible for bottle fed babies as they will take extra milk in and air causing issues. However if this baby like above is on a bottle, therefore, they can be over fed as they cannot unlatch when full, and cannot control the flow of milk. This is why the 5 ounce guidance is in effect and why I try and help educate as many new mums as possible.

If they don’t settle at all I may offer another ounce or 2 but not it’s not always hunger when they’re being mouthy with their hands.