Can you overfeed a baby?

During the early days, it may seem like your newborn baby is feeding a lot, but don't worry, this is completely normal!

A newborn baby's stomach is only the size of a cherry and can hold around five to seven millilitres, so they will need to feed little and often at first.

• If they're breastfed, a newborn should feed at least eight to 12 times every 24 hours during their first few weeks - but this can vary from one baby to the next.
• If they're bottle-fed, newborns need small amounts of milk to begin with. By the end of their first week, most will require approximately 150ml to 200ml per kilo of their weight every 24 hours, until they're around six months old.

No, if your baby is breastfed, it's not possible to overfeed them. Although it may seem like your baby is feeding a lot, this is simply because their tummy is very small at first and breast milk is easily digested.

Breastfeeding isn't just about your baby getting enough breast milk: they also feed or suckle for comfort and reassurance. So, you shouldn't worry about feeding them whenever either of you wants to - whether that's because they're hungry, your breasts feel full and engorged, or you just want to have some skin-to-skin contact and a cuddle.

A breastfed baby who's fed whenever they're hungry or in need of the comfort of your breast won't become demanding or be 'spoiled'. All breastfed babies are different, and you'll be able to work out your tailor-made feeding pattern together.

Signs that a breastfed baby is full and has decided not to drink any more milk include detaching themselves from your breast or falling asleep at your breast. These behaviours show that they're able to recognise what being full feels like, so they're unlikely to overfeed.

Yes, it can be easier to accidentally overfeed a bottled-fed baby. This is because it's harder for them to control the speed that their milk flows through the bottle's teat as they feed.

Bottle-fed babies will usually refuse a bottle or push the teat away from their mouth when they feel full and have fed for long enough. So, don't be tempted to unintentionally pressure them and never force your baby to finish a bottle if they don't want to.

It's natural to worry about how much milk your baby takes while bottle feeding, but you can usually rely on their weight gain growth charts and the frequency of wet and dirty nappies to reassure you that they're getting enough milk.

Although uncommon, overfeeding a baby can cause...

• stomach problems such as trapped wind, cramps, and sloppy or foul-smelling poos
• belching and vomiting
• irritability and sleep problems because they feel uncomfortable, and their stomach is too full
• an increased risk of obesity later in life.

In addition, ignoring the signs that your baby gives you to show that they're full can make mealtimes stressful for everyone involved. It could also lead to unhealthy mealtime habits and a negative association with food.