Do you need 8oz bottles while nursing?

melaniedel · June 2011

I plan on BFing (if it works out of course, maybe for a year minimum). I want to include H in some feedings. Maybe 20-30% of the time. We will try this right away and if he refuses the breast or there is a problem, I will EBF for month and try again I guess. Anyway, I am so in the dark about how much to feed LO. I know I am suppsed to time it when I BF and mark which breast, etc but how much do I put in the bottle? Does this amount increase or decrease in the months to come? When I start rice cereal at 3-4 months, will he BF less? Any other info would be awesome! TIA ladies!

MsCrispy · June 2011

I always heard that if you wanted to buy fewer bottles, you should skip the 4 oz ones and only get the 8 oz ones. If you plan to BF for an entire year, I don't think you will want to skip the 8 oz bottles.

Also, is there a reason you plan to start rice cereal so early? They usually don't recommend you add this until 6 months. I know their are a few exceptions, like acid reflux, so I'm curious.

buckeyeki · June 2011

In the beginning they usually take a small amount - 1-2 ounces, which becomes 2-3 ounces and so on. By 6 months I think DD was taking 5-6 ounces per bottle but some babies will take more. Solids didn't really slow down how much she took from a bottle until later on when she was eating more to satisfy her (it's really just practice to start with). I think there are feeding charts you can check for this. I know the formula companies like Similac have them on their websites so you can get an idea, even though formula is a bit different than breastmilk. They may even have BM feeding charts too. You shouldn't need the bigger bottles in the beginning, but you can use them if you don't want to mess around with buying a bunch of smaller bottles.

mommy2b08 · June 2011

It probably wouldn't hurt for you to do a little reading on the subject (try kellymom.com) - BFing is more along the lines of baby's schedule not a timed thing. Smile

DD was EBF for over a year and never took more than a 4-5oz bottle of pumped milk. Breastmilk changes its constitution according to baby's needs at their current age. It's pretty common for BF babies to not ever take more than 4-6 oz of pumped milk per feeding, although some babies will guzzle down much larger amounts simply because the flow is faster from a bottle.

melaniedel · June 2011

MsCrispy:

I always heard that if you wanted to buy fewer bottles, you should skip the 4 oz ones and only get the 8 oz ones. If you plan to BF for an entire year, I don't think you will want to skip the 8 oz bottles.

Also, is there a reason you plan to start rice cereal so early? They usually don't recommend you add this until 6 months. I know their are a few exceptions, like acid reflux, so I'm curious.

My Life Cycle Nutrition course said four months. This is when the baby becomes deficient in iron and rice cereal is fortified with it so its a good time to begin (according to my book and professor). My nephew, with instruction from his pedi started at 3 months. I wouldn't begin with rice until my doc recommends regardless.

I ask about the 8 oz because I can't imagine pumping 8 ounces! :O

Luv4Minnesota · June 2011

mommy2b08:

It probably wouldn't hurt for you to do a little reading on the subject (try kellymom.com) - BFing is more along the lines of baby's schedule not a timed thing.

DD was EBF for over a year and never took more than a 4-5oz bottle of pumped milk. Breastmilk changes its constitution according to baby's needs at their current age. It's pretty common for BF babies to not ever take more than 4-6 oz of pumped milk per feeding, although some babies will guzzle down much larger amounts simply because the flow is faster from a bottle.

This. We EBF for 9 months and never used anything larger than a 6oz bottle. I stayed at home with DS so he rarely took a bottle, but when he needed to he usually only took 4-5 oz at a time.

melandgreg · June 2011

I plan to EBF but I also purchased bottles in multiple sizes. With DD I was only able to pump for her as she just couldn't get the hang of the boob. I don't know if this one will do the same as her older sister so I like to be prepared. Make sure you work with a lactation specialist to help you with any of these questions and to just lend support to you. In CT we have the laleche league and they are awesome. For bottles we got the Tomee Tippee just so that it could be a normal transition either way we had to go

lovebook · June 2011

I nursed until 18 mos but began supplementing at 6 months due to pumping at work & supply decrease as result .... anyway, we never got anything bigger than the 4oz bottles. and always kept each feeding to 4 oz with more frequent feedings - he also started solids at 6 months so at least one afternoon feeding was also accompanied with a snack (applesauce, bananas, etc.) This worked well for us and was recommended by our Lactation Consultant and supported by our peditrician.

thequeeenbee · June 2011

I would go ahead and buy the 8 oz bottles either way. You never know. You're LO may end up being a big eater. Plus, you may have noticed that in most brands of bottles a 3 pack of 4oz and 3 pack of 8oz is the same price. Why not go ahead and get the larger ones?

The only thing I used 4 oz bottles for a lot were my breast pump. The basic gerber brand ones (and similar brands) will screw right on to most pumps. You don't need their special brand of bottles that come with the pump. But in all honesty, you can hook the 8 oz ones on there as well. If you have a great milk supply, you might even need to.

madhatter2003 · June 2011

my kids never went above 5-6 oz, which can fit in the smaller bottles fine. I preferred the smaller ones myself as they were easier to carry in the cooler I had for daycare.

BF babies will rarely take as many ounces as a similar aged formula fed baby so you do increase, but not as fast.

AmyLaurel89 · June 2011

melaniedel:
MsCrispy:

I always heard that if you wanted to buy fewer bottles, you should skip the 4 oz ones and only get the 8 oz ones. If you plan to BF for an entire year, I don't think you will want to skip the 8 oz bottles.
Also, is there a reason you plan to start rice cereal so early? They usually don't recommend you add this until 6 months. I know their are a few exceptions, like acid reflux, so I'm curious.
My Life Cycle Nutrition course said four months. This is when the baby becomes deficient in iron and rice cereal is fortified with it so its a good time to begin (according to my book and professor). My nephew, with instruction from his pedi started at 3 months. I wouldn't begin with rice until my doc recommends regardless.
I ask about the 8 oz because I can't imagine pumping 8 ounces! :O

The literature I have read states that babies don't absorb as much iron from fortified formula or fortified cereals as they do from breastmilk. It is possible that your instructor is basing the iron decifiency concept on bottle-fed babies rather than breastfed. Introducing solids that early is based on the notion that you will begin weaning by 6 months so, if that is your plan than this will work. If not, read more to find out ways to delay solids and the benefits of doing so.

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