Amount to feed

katie4253

Since coming home, I'm a bit lost about when to increase Gabe's volume.  He came home on 50ml feeds.  He is now eating 55ml of breast milk (6 times a day) and 60ml of neosure (2 times per day).

Today he's been waking up at the 2hr mark and is hungry.  So, I am considering bumping him up to 60ml feeds 8 times a day.  

The NICU was so specific about everything.  I am having a hard time knowing how much to feed (and trusting my mom instinct).  Kellymom has a calculator and it says the range for ages 1month-6months is 71 -112ml.  Since he is still supposed to be living on the inside, it isn't that helpful for me.  He's always had a bigger appetite.  In the NICU they were surprised by how much he could eat. 

shanlubey

I consulted my pedi (who is a DO) and he told me to take it slow, but gradually add 5 mLs per feed. Every ten feeds that he took the full feed and still showed signs of wanting more, offer him 5 more mLs the next ten feeds. If he doesn't take it all ten times, stay at that amount until he stays there for ten feeds. Then bump it 5 more mLs, but ONLY if baby is showing signs of wanting more. Sam has been home for 2 months, and we're up to an average of 105mLs per feeding, 6-8 feeds per day. He started at 55mLs 8 times a day.

He's gaining well, with plenty of wet diapers and the daily poop. Doctor says he's doing well with it. Trust that instinct. No one knows Gabe better than you do. Don't automatically think that the NICU instructions are 100% the way to go. I had a hard time changing Sam's 3-6-9-12 schedule, but now we are STTN and have a baby gaining 5-8 oz per week. Adaptability is key! 

damabo80

I offer 2.5oz at each feeding. Sometimes she takes 2oz, other times the full 2.5oz.

Last Thursday, the pedi said to start doing more "on demand" feedings*...meaning instead of eating every three hours, watch her for clues about when she's hungry (sometimes she'll go 4 hours, other times, she'll only go 2 hours), and offer her as much as she wants.

She's eating 26cal BM at each feeding...I mix the neosure with the BM.

*no more than 4 hours between feedings

bhilyer

JS always had a large appetite as well. He came home at 38 weeks taking 70 cc every 3 hours. I add 5 cc at a time if I think he's not satisfied. I don't want him hungry but it hurts to see him waste any BM.

katie4253

Mystery solved.  I was talking to H (he did all the bottles last night) and he only did 50ml for the breast milk and 60 for the formula.  So, our little guy got an ounce less today overall.  H is now staying up and doing an extra feeding to make up for it.  Ha!

We are going to start doing 60 a time though.  He was okay on 55, and does fine with the 60 of the 22cal neosure twice a day.  So, I think he is indeed ready for 60mls.

Like the other poster said, it is heartbreaking to see any BM go to waste though!  Even 5ml a feed adds up to 30ml a day.  That is an ounce of liquid gold down the tubes.