Can You Overfeed a Bottle Fed Breastmilk Baby
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My start baby fed frequently. I mean every 40 minutes or so and as he got older, every time he cried, I offered him the boob. It worked, he settled and he wasn't a fan of a dummy. My puppet was the dummy!
He was a big billowy baby boy and I couldn't assistance wonder whether I was overfeeding him.
If you're anything like me, yous may worry that you are feeding your babe too much because they feed often, or are gaining weight fast, or are possetting milk (spitting up) often or are coming off the breast regularly (12).
In this blog, I hope to talk yous through the complex mechanisms involved in breastfeeding and reassure y'all that y'all're unlikely to be overfeeding your breastfed infant.
How babies breastfeed - the mechanics
So get-go, the technical part.
When your babe latches on, the nipple is stretched and your baby'south tongue creates a 'rigid plate' which moves with the jaw. This allows the action of suction which allows milk to menstruation into your baby'due south mouth (1).
Your baby will control how long they feed for, showing signs of drowsiness and content when they are finished. If y'all note your baby'due south 'full' signals, yous won't overfeed your breastfed baby.
How often does my infant need to breastfeed?
Equally a newborn, your baby volition not crave a lot of milk to feel full with each feed. To brainstorm with, they may desire to feed every one to 3 hours. The amount of milk taken at each feed will gradually increase equally your baby grows and the time betwixt feeds may begin to get longer (2).
Is it normal for your baby to want to breastfeed all the time?
First of all, every baby is different, and then while some may want to feed more regularly, others may not.
The term used to depict when your babe wants to feed all the fourth dimension is 'cluster feeding'. This is a normal behaviour which could signal 'growth spurts or teething' and may exist linked to a 'developmental spring' which will eventually pass (3).
Cluster feeding is unlikely to cause overfeeding a breastfed baby.
Should I put my baby on a feeding schedule?
It is recommended that to begin with, babies feed on demand, meaning that they dictate feeding times. However, as they grow, your babe will naturally begin to autumn into a feeding pattern (5). By 7 months or so, a routine for nutrient and milk feeds becomes more important then that weaning progresses and nutritional needs are met.
Babies take a congenital in ability to allow you lot know when they are hungry. They'll usually permit you know past using cues such as being more agile or sucking their fingers. Some babies cry when they become as well hungry merely there are many other hunger cues.
Each baby is different and over fourth dimension you lot will learn the hunger signs exhibited by your ain baby (4).
Formula vs. breast milk
While breastfeeding is considered the optimal first food for your baby, formula is manufactured to be as nutritionally close to breast milk as possible.
The limerick of breast milk changes as the needs of your baby change. It also contains a huge volume of antibodies which assist in strengthening your babe's immune system likewise as probiotics for salubrious digestion and further immunity.
Formula is too packed with nutrients, but does not deliver the same level of immunity confronting illness as chest milk does (6), fifty-fifty with the addition of probiotics.
Canteen fed babies are more probable to be overfed as we make up bottles with the intention of your baby finishing it. Often well meaning parents will encourage their baby to take a bit more or finish the bottle when their baby has stopped suckling.
I recommend mimicking breastfeeding when feeding from a canteen (expressed chest milk or formula) by 'step feeding'. This involves giving baby command over how much they feed rather than you being in charge.
If you follow the signs that your baby is finished (drowsy and content) whilst bottle feeding using the paced feeding method, yous should find that overfeeding doesn't happen.
And then can you overfeed a breastfed baby?
Overfeeding your breastfed or formula fed babe is very rare (7). In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's non possible to overfeed a breastfed baby via the chest but if you lot demand to bottle feed either expressed chest milk or formula, there is a possibility of overfeeding.
Possetting or spitting upwards after a feed (8), is a natural reflux and is not a sign of overfeeding. If you are unsure, it's e'er best to cheque with a health professional.
Check your expectations for your baby
Check your expectations when bottle feeding. Babies don't demand a set number of ounces at each feed. That's a myth and they certainly don't demand a target to become them sleeping through the nighttime. Ofttimes these myths are what make parents feed past the bespeak of fullness (nine).
Tips to soothe your baby without overfeeding
If your infant is crying or fussy but you lot know that they are not hungry, yous tin can avert offering the breast if you wish. Utilise the following options to soothe them instead (ten):
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Be gentle and patient - use soft noises, sing songs and apply a gentle rocking motion or sway to help calm them.
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Motility to a quiet room - loud environments may be overstimulating and a source of distress for your baby.
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Try introducing a dummy (pacifier) as babies self soothe through sucking. A dummy can make a great alternative to the soothing suckling at the breast.
Signs that your babe may be full
Your babe may be full if they testify whatsoever of the post-obit signs:
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Push away from your breast or bottle (if breast milk is expressed)
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Move their head away from your breast or bottle
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Fuss at your breast or canteen when you offering it
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Testify a lack of interest when being fed
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Start falling asleep
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Stop sucking
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Extend and relax their arms, fingers and legs (nine).
What are the consequences if y'all overfeed your babe?
And so, what happens if y'all do overfeed your baby?
In the brusque term, your baby may show signs of discomfort from a build up of wind and volition cry oftentimes and intensely. They may also posset (spit up) more than usual (xi).
In the long run, your baby'southward human relationship with food may be affected (10). They won't recognise or sympathize feelings of hunger and fullness so won't main appetite regulation.
Unfortunately in my practise, I see children who are fussy eaters, who graze rather than consume meals and often it'due south because they haven't had the opportunity to truly empathize their appetite and hunger/fullness cues.
What is the takeaway bulletin?
Although overfeeding your breastfed babe is rare, information technology tin can yet happen if y'all feed expressed milk via a bottle. Overfeeding is more common in formula fed and combination fed babies for this reason.
Always pay attention to 'finished' cues and signals that your baby is giving you during feeding.
If you exercise retrieve you have overfed your baby, don't panic, merely recognise what happened and know what to do next time.
With cheers to Meghan Mundkur, Lottie Harman and Catriona Lawson for their help writing this weblog.
Sarah Almond Bushell MPhil, BSc (Hons) RD MBDA - Registered Dietitian & Children's Nutritionist
Can You Overfeed a Bottle Fed Breastmilk Baby
Source: https://www.childrensnutrition.co.uk/full-blog/overfeed-breastfed-baby