Different measurements?

FirstBabyMomma

Has anyone else noticed that different milk storage containers/bottles have inequal measurements?

I pump into the small Medela bottles, then usually put the milk in either Lansinoh or Nuk storage bags, or Evenflo bottles. If I pump 3 oz into a Medela and pour it into an Evenflo, it says it's only 2.5. I know a bit is lost in the transfer, but not 1/2 an oz! If I pour 3oz into the Nuk bags, they read  4 oz (Lansinosh measure the same as the Medela bottles).WTH?

Am I being really dumb and doing something wrong? I feel like I have no idea how much DD is actually getting from a bottle.

MrsFv20

huh, that's a big discrepancy. I know my pediatrician recommended making sure that all the medicine droppers are accurately measured and labeled because there might be a discrepancy. But 1/2-1 oz is a lot!

Do you have a food scale at home that measures ounces? You could weigh the empty bottle, then pump, and then weigh it again to see how much it's really holding. 

AlwaysSunny08

I have the same problem. I pump into either Medela or Dr. Brown bottles and then pour into Nuk storage bags.  I get the same measurement between the two different bottles but the amount is always different in the storage bags. I always label the storage bag with the date and amount before I put it in the refrigerator or freezer.  I think I may try a different brand of storage bags after I use all of the Nuk bags I have. 

FirstBabyMomma

Soccer122:

I have the same problem. I pump into either Medela or Dr. Brown bottles and then pour into Nuk storage bags.  I get the same measurement between the two different bottles but the amount is always different in the storage bags. I always label the storage bag with the date and amount before I put it in the refrigerator or freezer.  I think I may try a different brand of storage bags after I use all of the Nuk bags I have. 

I recommend the Lansinoh bags. They lie perfectly flat and the measurements are the exact same as the Medela bottles.

FirstBabyMomma

mainerocks:

I even see a bit of a difference between the two types of Medela bottles I have!

that would REALLY annoy me. How the heck are we supposed to know which measurements are accurate?!

FirstBabyMomma

MrsFv20:

huh, that's a big discrepancy. I know my pediatrician recommended making sure that all the medicine droppers are accurately measured and labeled because there might be a discrepancy. But 1/2-1 oz is a lot!

Do you have a food scale at home that measures ounces? You could weigh the empty bottle, then pump, and then weigh it again to see how much it's really holding. 

That's a good idea- I may try that, and then perhaps re-label some of the bottles so at least they are all consistent. Thanks! Didn't think of that.

 

MrsSeli

MrsFv20:

huh, that's a big discrepancy. I know my pediatrician recommended making sure that all the medicine droppers are accurately measured and labeled because there might be a discrepancy. But 1/2-1 oz is a lot!

Do you have a food scale at home that measures ounces? You could weigh the empty bottle, then pump, and then weigh it again to see how much it's really holding. 

Volume ounces and weight ounces are not necessarily the same thing. It depends on the density of your liquid. But you could try measuring in an actual measuring cup. That's what I did for my playtex bottles, because the "expandable liners" don't measure very consistently. Plus it's not really an exact science. As long as you know ballpark what your kid is drinking, LO is gaining weight and seems satisfied...I don't think you need to know right down to the ounce.

TiggerLuv80

I had no problem with the Lansinoh bags but saw the same problem with the Nuk bags. I just go off of what the bottle says.

saraboston

I never trust the bag measurements. If you look at the Lansinoh bags, they actually say "approx". I have ameda and medela bottles and they're pretty close, never off as much as 1/2 oz.

IncogNeato

See, if I pump 3oz into a medela bottle, then freeze it, then pour it back into the SAME bottle, it's always a half ounce less. Now THAT is weird.

FirstBabyMomma

IncogNeato:

See, if I pump 3oz into a medela bottle, then freeze it, then pour it back into the SAME bottle, it's always a half ounce less. Now THAT is weird.

Yeah, I also notice that....I attribute it to some scientific principle that I don't understand!