Going back to work- Amount of BM needed/day?

quartz02

I'm going back to work soon. What amount of BM should I send to daycare with my LO? I don't want to use what little stash I have to find out. I lost BM due to power outage from Sandy and then wasn't able to pump for a long time because I didn't bring my pump when we evacuated.

Thanks!

lynniecheer06

My friend got this chart from her doctor before she went back to work.  You could also have someone come over and watch her all day (so you can sleep or catch up on chores) and have them feed the baby while you pump so you can see about how much she eats. 

 

Weight in #'s	#oz per day	#oz per feeding
5	12.5	1.5
6	15	2
7	17.5	2.25
8	20	2.5
9	22.5	3
10	25	3.25
11	27.5	3.5
12	30	3.75
13	32.5	4
14	35	4.5
15	37.5	5
16	40	5
17	42.5	5.5
18	45	6

jess9802

According to kellymom.com, the average intake for a breastfed baby is 25 oz a day from about 1 mos until 6 mos, when intake begins to decrease slightly. The typical range is somewhere between 19-30 oz. per day.

To start with, divide 25 by the total number of daily feedings, and that's your starting point of ounces per feeding. Figure out how many feedings your LO will take during your absence, and send the necessary amount plus a bit extra. Make sure your daycare provider understands how to bottle feed a breastfed infant - too many end up overfeeding the baby and you'll have a hard time keeping up.

Mike_Patti

I think it's almost a requirement when this type of question comes up to link to the kellymom page. Since no one has done so I will be the one to do it.

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

 

I've had DD in daycare since she was 5.5 weeks and looking at this site it's pretty much in line with what she has needed.

singingirl96

I usually send 12 oz for an 9 hr stretch at daycare. First, she was doing 3 4oz bottles but we recently decided to do 4 3oz bottles instead so she can space out feedings closer together and he won't get so upset.