If you EBF but leave your LO with pumped milk ....

Kingston54 · June 2013

If you EBF but leave your LO with pumped milk from time to time (say to go to an appointment or to go for dinner with DH, etc.).... how many ounces do you leave and how old is your LO?

I hate (despise) pumping so I try not to do it unless I have to but when I leave DD with my MIL I obviously need to leave milk. She's 5 months and I've been leaving 4 ounces but I'm wondering if that's not enough.

Please share what you do so I can get a better idea Thank you!

caseylynw · June 2013

I leave 4-4 1/2 oz. I did a weighted feeding at his last appt and he ate almost 5 oz. But when I would leave five he never finished the bottle. I recommend doing a weighted feeding to get a better idea

happy_un-bride · June 2013

3-4oz. DS is 3.5 months and is on the small side.

rjeller32 · June 2013

Depends on how long I'll be gone. If it's more than an hour I like to leave more than enough just in case. Usually a solid 12 to be safe. I know it's a lot, but I don't want to get stuck somewhere or tied up and not have enough left more my LO.

That's aside from my stashed milk for my job prospects.

ObLaDi · June 2013

I work, and I leave one 4 oz bottle per 3 hours gone, plus one extra.

He went through a brief stint of drinking more like 4.5 oz, but then was routinely leaving extra so we went back down.

My DS is 5 months and ~18 lbs.

cmhicklin · June 2013

DS eats 4-4.5oz bottles every 2-3 hours.

ericalee27 · June 2013

DS2 is in daycare from 8:30am - 5:30pm. He's 4.5 months and we leave 3 bottles with 5 ounces each.

jkuhmann · June 2013

My LO is almost 4 months and I leave at least 5oz in the fridge at home, and 10oz if we are away from home. He usually eats 4-5oz when I am gone. I like leaving just a little extra in case I don't make it back in time or if he is extra-hungry for some reason.

BBS! · June 2013

My baby is 4 months and eats 5 ounces every 2 hours! It's insane and I exclusively pump and he refuses formula. We're are out of the freezer stash and I can't physically keep up with his demand!

poppyc8 · June 2013

i leave 4 oz for every 2 1/2 hours i will be gone...but i have a back up freezer stash just in case he goes over that amount.

JJ_13 · June 2013

I am away from LO for 10 hours (8 to 6) and leave 3, 4 oz bottles. I wish she would take more, but she is addicted to me (which means she gets half of her nutrition at night... ugh).

She is almost 6 months old and weighs about 18 lbs.