I have a question about formula and feeding schedule.

Anberlin hasn't been eating nearly as much as she was when I was home and breast feeding her. She is now on a bottle during the day (breast milk) and we have found that she only eats like twice while I am at work. When I was home and breastfeeding she ate probably 4 times from 8am-6pm if not more. Is this normal??

I also had a dumb question. When I am making a 4oz bottle of formula do I put the formula in and then fill to 4oz or do I fill the bottle with 4oz of water and then put in the formula?? 

Thanks!

-Ashlie

She might have been eating some much from the breast because it is a lot more work to get anything out.  So she probably got tired before she got full.  Where as it is easier to get the milk from a bottle and therefore she fills her self up completely.  Or, she could be just going through a phase where she isn't wanting to eat a lot.  Libby has been going through that for 5 months now LOL 

I put the water in the bottle and then added the formula...

Water then formula!
 Now on to the other question, if you are giving her formula she might start not wanting the breastmilk so be careful on that. Also the bottle allows the baby to eat much quicker than the breast so what my daughter would do in a 25 minute session on the breast she could do in under 10 mins on the bottle. She might just be satisfied. We always noticed that if I was around it was also a comfort thing to nurse then needing something to eat. As long as she is having the right amount of wet/dirty diapers during a 24 hour period I would not worry.

Water then forumla!

She could be doing what is called "cluster feeding", it can be normal. As long as she is having enough wet and poopy diapers they don't worry about it. If she has a decreased output in her diapers then you might want to offer the breast to her more often at night and when you are with her.

Just wanted to add, make sure your nipples are the newborn, slow flow nipples. As long as she is still breastfeeding, keep the slow flow nipples on the bottles.

They eat less frequently when they bottle feed because usually they are eating more at a time.

And with the formula, it really doesn't matter, but I always add the formula to the water so that it doesn't clump up at the bottom. And you need to measure out the water and I usually measure the water in the bottle. Otherwise you have to scoop the formula into the bottle, measure the water in something else, then pour the water into the formula. Too many steps for me. I like just measuring the water in the bottle to the 4oz. mark, then adding the scoops of formula, shake and serve....lol