Overfeeding Babies - The Most Common Problem in the Early Days With Formula-fed Babies

Unlike the breast-fed baby the most common problem in the early days with formula-fed babies is overfeeding. The reason I believe this can happen with some babies is that they take the bottle of formula so quickly that their natural sucking instincts are not sat­isfied and they end up screaming when the bottle is removed from their mouth. Many mothers interpret this cry as one of hunger and end up giving them another bottle of formula. A pattern of overfeeding can quickly emerge, resulting in the baby gaining huge amounts of weight each week. If this problem is allowed to continue the baby quickly reaches a stage where milk alone will not satisfy his appetite, yet he is too young to be given solids.