An Appetite for Life by Clare Llewellyn

Author:Clare Llewellyn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Experiment

Overfeeding

Overfeeding (or “overnutrition”) is a common problem, especially for bottle-fed newborn babies (birth to three months old). It is a problem that is overlooked because of the emphasis that is still placed on babies gaining sufficient weight, even if weight gain is excessive. Though it is easier for bottle-fed than breastfed babies to overfeed, it is still possible for a breastfed baby to overfeed of his own accord if he has a voracious appetite for milk. The main symptom of appetite-based overfeeding is rapid weight gain.

Causes of overfeeding:

• Baby has an avid appetite and the parent offers feedings too frequently and not simply in response to hunger cues.

• Baby has an avid appetite and the parent offers too much milk in the bottle during feedings (for example, more than he needs/is recommended—see Table 1.

• The parent doesn’t recognize satiety cues.

• The parent actively encourages baby to feed past satiety.

What to do:

• Feed responsively—only feed when your baby indicates he is hungry and stop when he indicates he is full.

• Don’t offer too much milk in the bottle at each feeding (see Table 1 for how much milk to feed).

• Check he isn’t feeding too quickly. If necessary, slow down feedings by stopping and taking regular burping breaks, or use a slower-flowing nipple if bottle-feeding. If your baby drinks very quickly, tip the bottle down or remove it for a minute to slow down his drinking pace.

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