Can babies overeat? Newborn is taking 4 oz/feed!!

[L'sMommy]

DS is 5 weeks and seems to be starving all the time. He was taking 3oz/feeding until yesterday when he was wailing because he wanted more. We gave him 4 oz and he ate all of it with no problem. He's getting both formula and breastmilk. 4 oz seems like a LOT for a 5-week old baby. But he's not spitting up or anything. With the 3oz he was hungry every 2.5 hrs. Now he can go a little longer but not by much. Maybe 30-45 minutes. He gets 9 feedings/day. Does this sound normal to you? He was born 6 lb 8 oz and had some weight issues in the beginning (took him longer than 2 weeks to regain his birth weight). He is now 8 lb 2 oz as of a week ago.

[Tondi G]

I think thats fine. Some babies just eat more or need more. My ped told me to offer 3 oz and when he started finishing the bottle and seemed to want more then to offer an additional oz. Keep upping it as the baby wants. There is usually a growth spurt around 6 weeks so this could be why you are seeing an increase in appetite!

Follow your baby's leads... he'll be fine! If he's not puking a bunch up then chances are he is just a big/good eater!

[JBaxter]

My oldest was a HUGE eater I cant tell you what he was eating at 5 weeks because he was still bf'd then but I went back to work at 8 weeks and he 8oz bottles ever 3 hrs round the clock.

If your baby isnt spitting up then hes just hungry Feed him!

[misshollygolightly]

Just agreeing w/ pps. Sounds like he's just hungry and/or having a growth spurt--best to give him what he wants

[ahrimie]

my DD was the SAME way.... i thought she'd be monstrously huge but she's very normal i wouldn't worry about it.

[jenny]

Don't worry. My pediatrician said this, "Babies are not like puppies. they do not overeat. they will let you know when they are full."

Keeping baby full and content is the secret to a happy baby...so do what you got to do.

My DD was a slow gainer in the beginning, but then she starting adding the weight really fast. Our lactation consultant said she was just making up for the weight loss and slow gain in the beginning. Now at 7 months, DD is around 20 pounds and 29 inches. She's a big girl, but she's a happy baby, so we're happy. Last night she downed 8 ounces...but she slept for 12 hours straight, so I'm not complaining.

[HIU8]

DD was the same way. She increased ounces pretty fast and NEVER went longer than 3 hours between feedings for the entire first year. She was up to 12 ounces every 3 hours at one point--no spitting up. She was and still is a HUGE eater. She can eat DS under the table now.

[BabyMine]

Some babies eat a lot and sometimes it can be reflux. If your child shows normal eating behavior than let him at it.