Newborn feeding schedule

Is there's any technique to help a newborn to feed on a more regular,
consistant basis ?


Patience. Time.

Our 3 weeks old son is fed with Alimentum milk formula, and although
lapse between feedings can be 3 hours (15% of the time), he's more
likely to be fed every 2 hours, sometimes even less.

This is pretty typical for this age. You still have a newborn. Newborns have
very tiny stomachs. They can't hold much milk at one time, so they have to eat
small amounts at frequent intervals. An average of two hours (meaning sometimes
3 hours, sometimes 1 1/2) is entirely common.)

I also note that he is on a special formula. I don't know much about
hypoallergenic formulas, but is it possible that they are digested more rapidly
than the usual ones (more similar to breastmilk in that regard?) meaning that
he will be hungry more often? Or that whatever health issues he has that are
making him need the special formula is also making him hungry/fussy more
often?

He is also very fussy during the day.

If he is generally fussy, I would talk to the doctor about it. He may be
needing a different formula, or there could be something else wrong. (Is
breastfeeding a possible option?)

If he's just hungry, you feed him. As he gets bigger, he will be able to eat
more at one time, and will be able to go longer at a feeding. (At night
however, have you tried keeping him awake during the feed? Strip him down to
his diaper? Burp him?
In any case, since he's being bottle fed, the two of you can definitely share
the nighttime feeding chores, making it less of a strain on YOUR sleep
schedules.)




Naomi
CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator

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