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Feeling terrible...please help

BennyLBennyL member
in Breastfeeding

Hi ladies,

I really need some advice.

I can generally only nurse DS once per day and pump the rest of the time. We recently did a procedure to correct his tongue tie, but it still hurts if I BF for every feeding.

So, we have been giving DS 3 oz of BM every 3 hours. Of late, he has started to cry at the end of the each bottle, so we are going to do more (say 4 oz). My DH's aunt came to visit us yesterday and she said I am starving DS by giving him so few ounces and also on such a rigid schedule. I feel terrible about this...I feel so guilty that we may have been missing his hunger cues etc even though he has many wet and dirty diapers every day...so that made me think I have been doing the right thing. She jokingly told DS that she'd give him her phone number to call whenever we try to starve him again.

My question is...how do you know how much milk to keep in the fridge...should I just fill each bottle with 4 ounces? And also, how will I know how often to feed him...ie I won't 'watch the clock' anymore?

Also, my fridge and freezer are usually empty!! I generally pump enough for 1 or 2 feedings only. I wish I had the big freezer stashes that I have heard about on this board.

Deep down I am so scared that I won't be able to supply the 4 or 5 ounces that I know realize he needs. And even more scared that I won't be able to sustain this when I return to work.

What should I do?

Thanks to all of you. The BF board is wonderful.

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Re: Feeling terrible...please help

  • Meg41208Meg41208

    Don't listen to DH's aunt.  She's probably used to the "rules" for FF babies.  BF babies generally take fewer ounces of milk than FF babies do of formula because BM adjusts to meet your baby's needs in terms of calories.  If your baby seems satisfied with 3 or 4 oz every 3 hours and has enough wets and dirties, then it's enough.  DD takes 3.5 oz every 3 hours at daycare. 

    You would know if your baby was hungry because hungry babies cry and cry until they get something to eat.

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  • madhatter2003madhatter2003

    Don't worry...if he was really hungry he'd let you know by crying, as he is doing now at the end of bottles.  You aren't 'starving' him.

    And your body will make more milk as you pump more and increase your demand. it may take a few days to catch up, but you can do it!

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  • SCOOTERSCOOTER

    Ditto PP.  Don't listen to her.  Feed your baby whenever he's hungry and as long as your diaper counts are still good and he's been gaining weight well up to this point, you are not doing anything wrong. 

    You can look up some on kellymom to learn hunger cues but with my children it was bobbing their heads on my face or neck, sucking on hands and fingers and then lastly crying.  You will figure out when he needs to eat on demand.  

    I also don't think a one month old can possibly eat 4 or 5 ounces at a session.  His stomach is still tiny at that age.  You will continue to supply as much as he needs to eat.  You can't supply 4 or 5 ounces now but you can in a few more months.  

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