Can a newborn eat too much??

Question

My baby boy is 2 weeks old, born weighing 9.6 pounds.. Im formula feeding and trying to breast feed but mostly formula

Ive been feeding him 2-3 oz of formula(enfamil) when he acts hungry , usually every 2 hours or so but he always wants more and more. He'll cry and bite his fingers and try to suck on anything until I give him another ounce, then a few minutes later he acts hungry again and wants to eat until he spits up..everyone says its because hes a big baby.. am I feeding him too much?? Any advice appreciated☺

Answer

According to my lactation consultant there is such thing as over feeding a newborn. Because they are newborns they normally just want to be latched on, even if they aren't hungry it's just for soothing. She recommended that once you are done feeding but they still want more instead give them a pacifier, that's if you are okay with it.

My friends baby was drinking 3-4oz at only 3weeks old every 2 hours. Her doctor said he was gaining weight too fast. My 3 month old was barely eating 3.5 ounces every 2 hours but was gaining weight as she should be.

Answer

Does it say on the packaging what you should be giving the baby? I think we were goving 3 oz straight away and my LO was 7lb 10oz.

As far as im aware babies cant over eat they will stop once they have had enough and it is normal for them to puke a little.

Are you burpimg enough? Some babies need to stop feeding to be burped

Answer

My little one is 9 weeks and I am switching over to formula now. I asked his pediatrician about how much he should eat and how often. (He is in the 50th percentile for weight and height, not sure if that affected her response.) She told me it just depends on the baby. Feed him when he's hungry and watch for signs of overeating, like spitting up. If he is overeating, try to stop him. 
Occasionally my little one over eats. I can tell when he is by how he acts. I stop giving him the bottle, burp him and try a pacifier for a few minutes. I think this distracts him and gives everything a chance to settle in his stomach. If he's really still hungry, he spits the pacifier out. If he's full/overeating, he'll happily take the pacifier.

Answer

Definitely don't let him eat until he gets sick. 
A lot of the time babies will act like they're hungry (suck/bite their fingers, cry, even take another bottle) when they have a tummy ache. First, try giving him gripe water when he does that. If that doesn't help try a different bottle (one for colic, that gets the air out). Then lastly, if all else fails, a different formula like enfamil gentlease.