help me explain BF vs formula to MIL

beckysuejune07

My LO is EBF and has reflux; during the day he  typically only eats one side at a time and eats every 2-2.5 hours. I think he eats these little snacks all day because that is all his little tummy can handle with the reflux issues. So his usual is 9 times a day- the kellymom.com calculator shows this would mean between 2.5-3.0oz per feeding. When we give him a  bottle he is satisifed with 2.5-3.5 ounces we offer.

MIL is a child care provider and thinks she knows it all. I go back to work in one month and am petrified of how she will feed him. The one time we let her babysit so far she fed him 5 oz of my pumped milk and  then couldnt understand why he projectile vomited on her.

Do EBF babies eat fewer ounces than a formula fed baby? How can I explain this to her- when I have tried she goes into "well so and so is this age and eats this many ounces of formula"...blah blah blah...

kcisthebombdotcom

No, they don't do fewer ounces, but your DD is eating every 2 hours still. That's an appropriate schedule for a reflux baby. We used to feed DS 5oz every 4 hours, but then we switched him to a 3oz every 2 hour schedule and he stopped projectile vomiting.

Explan to her that as treatment of his reflux is eating small amounts every 2 hours, so the 5oz bottle would not work for him, regardless of how much the other kids are eating. Maybe explain it that he technically eats 5oz bottles like the other kids do but he needs smaller amounts more frequently?

snowbrdchic1

Im not sure how you could explain it to her but I EBF my DD and she's almost 6months and only eats 3.5 to 4 oz a feeding but eats every 2.5 to 3 hrs during the day. She eats 7-8 times a day. I don't know if its only like that with EBF babies but I just wanted to let you know your LO isn't the only one.

4realyo

BF'd babies definately eat less ounces than formula fed babies. BF'd babies generally dont really increase the number of ounces that they drink between 2-6 months because the breastmilk changes and gets fattier I believe. Since formula is the same, the ounces are generally upped. If I were you I would print out a bunch of stuff on kellymom.com and give it to her. I woudl also premake the bottles or store your BM in the appropriate size amounts so she cant really change it.

annapolischick

snowbrdchic1:

Im not sure how you could explain it to her but I EBF my DD and she's almost 6months and only eats 3.5 to 4 oz a feeding but eats every 2.5 to 3 hrs during the day. She eats 7-8 times a day. I don't know if its only like that with EBF babies but I just wanted to let you know your LO isn't the only one.

 

this is us exactly 

beckysuejune07

awesome answers- thanks!!

Mrs.KaityJane

It doesnt matter what other babies do, this is your child and this is his schedule. If MIL is going to be your DCP she needs to just accept this.  You can explain that this is reccomened for a reflux baby.  I would also premake bottles so that LO isnt over fed.

MAtoNC

Yes. definitely go to kellymom.com and print out a bunch of stuff on this topic for your MIL. There are articles that address them. I think she may pay attention since they are written by RNs and Certified lactation consultants.

Good Luck!

MelodyMoonstone

annapolischick:

snowbrdchic1:

Im not sure how you could explain it to her but I EBF my DD and she's almost 6months and only eats 3.5 to 4 oz a feeding but eats every 2.5 to 3 hrs during the day. She eats 7-8 times a day. I don't know if its only like that with EBF babies but I just wanted to let you know your LO isn't the only one.

 

this is us exactly 

Us too.  I have a friend who's baby is one day older.  Her DD eats 5 times a day... I feel like my LO eats constantly still!