This could be why your bottle fed baby is fussy

This could be why your bottle fed baby is fussy

Bringing a newborn home is a joyful experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, one being feeding your baby. A question that often lingers in the minds of many parents is how much milk their bottle-fed baby should be drinking. This is especially tricky if you’ve previously breastfed, as you can’t see exactly how much your little one is consuming. Let’s explore this further and uncover why your bottle-fed baby might be feeling fussy, along with tips to help make them more settled.

 

How Much Should Your Baby Drink?

If your baby is being fed exclusively through a bottle, whether with formula or breast milk, understanding their milk intake can be complex. Between the first month and the six-month mark, interestingly, their milk intake doesn’t increase—it remains at around 750 milliliters (about 25 ounces) daily. However, it’s crucial to note that it varies daily; your baby might not take the same amount during every feed. If your baby is formula-fed, they might consume slightly more. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all here.

Why Babies Get Fussy

One common reason why bottle-fed babies become fussy is due to the inconsistency in milk consumption. They might drink too little during some feeds and too much during others. Much like how adults don’t eat the same amount at every meal, babies also have fluctuations.

How to Alleviate Fussiness with Pace Feeding

A method that can prove effective is “pace feeding.” This involves filling the bottle to the higher end of the estimated milk range your baby may need and letting them guide the feeding at their own pace. By allowing your baby to decide how much they’ll drink, you can help them become more satisfied and content after feedings.

Here’s how you can implement pace feeding:

  1. Positioning: Ensure your baby is upright.
  2. Bottle Placement: Hold the bottle perpendicular to their mouth.
  3. Observing Baby’s Cues: Look for signs like pulling away, wiggling, or squirming—signals that they might need a break.
  4. Responding: When these signs occur, pull the bottle down and allow them to pause or burp if needed.
  5. Resuming Feeding: Offer the bottle again. They may take more or decide they’ve had enough.

The goal is to let them decide when to stop, which helps align their intake with their natural hunger cues. Over the course of the day, this should average out to a reasonable intake.

Monitoring Your Baby’s Health

Keep an eye on your baby’s growth, happiness, and diaper output. If they are growing well, content, and producing enough wet and dirty diapers, then their feeding pattern is likely adequate. Remember, feeding on demand is key, not just sticking to a rigid schedule.

To conclude, understanding and fostering a healthy feeding pattern greatly contributes to reducing fussiness in bottle-fed babies. The focus should be on paying attention to their cues and allowing them to regulate their intake to meet their needs. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments.

 

If you need more support

I lead a team of Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners around the globe, who share my programs and who I personally mentor.

If you are struggling with your baby or child, you can reach out and we can help. We do in person and virtual feeding assessments. We also offer women’s health services and can help you achieve optimal hormonal health. Our services are often covered through insurance.

You can find the nurse closest to you here. If you need more help you can reach out to [email protected].

Thank you so much for being a part of our community,

Carrie Bruno RN, IBCLC, MSCP

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The Mama Coach is a global team of Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.

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