Big baby overeating at 5 weeks?
Hi all,
I'm exclusively pumping due to problems at birth - my baby was born 99.9% percentile, he's a big boy (11lb 6oz at birth), he was 12lb 14oz when last weighed 10 days ago.. I now expect him to be around a stone.
He seems to be averaging around 37oz of breastmilk over 11 feeds within 24 hours.. this seems an awful lot compared to other babies this age (5 weeks), anyone else with a big baby eating a lot?? Is this normal?
With the heatwave he has been hitting 40/41oz a day.. Before the heatwave he was tending to take 33-35oz a day. He's only 5 weeks, I am doing pace feeding with him but he gets super fussy and upset when I stop mid feed to give him a break/wind him.
He also never spits up or is sick which I've heard is common in overfed babies. Picture of my gorgeous chunk 🥰❤️ would appreciate any advice!
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He will need more milk than the average 5 week old being bigger than the average 5 week old. My daughter is older , we're having the opposite problem with not enough milk but HV have us a guide of 150ml per kilo for a daily amount of milk as a minimum ( which she never takes). Ask your HV what healthy amount of milk per kilo a day should be? X
I was told by an infant feeding specialist that “you can’t overfeed a breastfed baby” also applies to babies who have exclusively expressed breast milk! It’s to do with the hormones in the milk itself which allow baby to signal when they are full. I wouldn’t worry too much about over feeding him with breast milk unless your health visitor is concerned 🥰
If he doesn't spit up then he is doing fine. Feed him what he wants. Considering he is almost 4 pounds over the average weight he is huge and most get about 24 to 32 oz a day so he isn't far off. Just pace feed and you will be ok. And holyyy smokes can not imagine having that big of a newborn. Lol. Congratulations!!!!
We had a big baby - 96th centile at birth and I exclusively pumped - he ate anywhere between 30-45oz a day dependant on the heat and growth spurts etc. He is now 6 months and still eats more than the average 6 month old but he’s still a healthy weight and size.
Don't compare to other 5week old, he was a big baby at birth, so will need more milk. Probably best looking at weights that age to compare feed wise. But too be honest I wouldn't bother, if he wants milk give it to him 😊 my nephews where 10lb babies, and drunk a lot of milk x
Sorry I can’t help with the amounts but the differences in babies sizes always astound me.
My little girl was weighed at 16 weeks and was 12lb 8oz and she takes 30oz a day over 5 feeds 😂
You can’t exactly put a baby on a diet and you’re not going to leave him to cry from hunger.
If the HV isn’t concerned, I wouldn’t be.
Well done on pumping that amount do milk! And feeding 11 times a day 😱 when do you get a break! Pumping and feeding that much, that often must be exhausting.
If he’s happy and healthy and you’re paced feeding, I’m not really sure what else you can do
I'm breastfeeding but my baby was 10lb 7 at birth and she also eats an awful lot or seems to. She feeds often and grows fast.
I was told by a HV that you can't overfeed a baby with breast milk. They should eat as much as they need.
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