Sunday, March 25, 2007

How much formula does my baby need?

When I first introduced formula for Pranav, Doc had recommended 60 ml for every feed. This came as a shock to me as I felt he was getting way less from me for every feed. However, now I feel I must have been wrong as expressing one's milk and measuring it can never be a sure cut way of saying how much the baby was getting as there is a continuous flow. Anyways, when I introduced formula when he was 8 weeks old, I was feeding him 60 ml every feed and giving him 2 feeds of formula every day for the next 2 weeks. That made it 120 ml. The rest of his diet comprised of my milk.

Around 3rd March when I casually read what was written on the sides of Nan-1 (formula) ti, I was in for a shock. For babies between the age of 2 -3 months, they could be fed 120 ml for every feed and between the age of 3- 6 months , 120-180 ml for every feed 5 times a day. I was feeding Way less than what he needed. So that kid of confirmed why he would jump for more after he finished his bottle every time. I wasn't increasing the quantity earlier when he asked for more for fear of indigestion. Then I read this article How much formula milk does my baby need?and followed up with Dr.Spocks and was convinced that it was safe to feed 120 ml. So I increased it from 60 ml to 120 mlf or every feed and he seemed satisfied. This would last him 3 hours until he was 12 weeks old. Now it lasts him only 2 hours.