Feeding bottle at 2am and realizing I have no idea if he's getting enough

Dec 61 min read

Quick question - how do you know when a bottle-fed newborn is full? With breastfeeding I think there are cues but with the bottle I'm just... guessing? He sucks for a bit then pulls away. Does he stop when he's full or do I need to work harder to get him to eat more? He's 3 weeks old and pediatrician said 2oz per feeding but he seems to want less sometimes.

Feeling pretty lost ngl

9 comments134 views

Comments(9)

DDante J.New DadDec 7

This anxiety is so real. I was doing the same thing at 2am doing mental math on ounces and whether it was "enough." The turning away thing is legit the signal. If he's pulling away and seems content, he's done. If he seems fussy after, he might want more but usually that's tiredness not hunger at that hour

TTyler H.RegularDec 8

The fact you're thinking about this at 2am on bottle feeding means you're already a good dad. But real answer: babies know when they're full. He pulls away = full. Wet diapers tell you intake is adequate. Stop stressing and trust him

TTony V.RegularDec 8

He'll pull away when full usually. Watch for him getting slower/sleepier vs actively pulling away. And yeah he might suck for comfort too. But honestly the real tell is wet diapers - if you're getting 6+ wet diapers a day on bottle feed, he's getting enough. The pediatrician can do a weight check if you're worried

BBrian L.RegularDec 9

Newborns can regulate themselves better than people think. If he's pulling away, he's probably done. Main thing is don't force the rest of the bottle into him. Trust him. And yeah at 2am you're exhausted and second-guessing everything, totally normal

CCarl D.RegularDec 8

Newborns are actually pretty good at self-regulating with bottles. The pulling away usually means he's full. Watch for wet diapers as the real indicator - if he's got enough output, he's eating enough. But yeah, 2am is rough. That exhaustion makes everything feel uncertain

WWill S.RegularDec 9

He's probably getting enough if he seems satisfied after and his diapers are normal (6+ wet per day). The "suck then pull away" thing is normal - they stop when they're full. You can test by gently putting the nipple back in - if he turns away, he's done. If he goes for it again, he wanted more

RRay C.RegularDec 8

The 2am brain fog makes everything feel like you're doing it wrong. You're not. If diaper output is good and baby seems content after feeding, you're in the clear. That anxiety will fade once you get a few weeks under your belt and realize he's actually thriving

MMarcus W.RegularDec 9

Talk to your pediatrician about the amount if you're unsure, but honestly the pulling-away cue is pretty reliable. What you're describing (sucking then pulling away) sounds normal. Babies won't starve themselves on bottles like some people claim

MMatt S.RegularDec 9

Bottle feeding is weird because you can't see the transfer like you can with breastfeeding. But your baby will show hunger cues - rooting, hand to mouth, fussiness. If he's eating regularly and growing, you're good. The 2am paranoia hits different though, I get it