oz in bottles for first week at daycare?

Owl2011 · July 2011

LO will start going to a new daycare next week. Previously we had a friend watching her so I didn't have to worry about tossing BM since if LO didn't finish up her bottle at one feeding she would just use the remaining BM for the next feeding. This is a center and they say that if LO doesn't drink the BM they have to toss it after an hour.

She normally eats 4-5 oz at a time, but I'm so worried about them tossing milk that she doesn't drink. Plus, my pumping isn't quite what she eats (I'm drinking tons of water, just started taking fenugreek, and really hoping it increases) so this is stressing me out!

I'm thinking of doing seven 2oz bottles, that way the most that gets tossed is ~2 oz at a time. Once she is used to the daycare and I see how much she really eats at a feeding, I'll do bottles that reflect her norms. Curious if anyone has other suggestions re: how to package oz? Thanks!

SecondTimeinMSU · July 2011

I started out with the average of his feedings so it was maybe 4.5 oz. I worried about the same thing since DS stayed home with my mom and DH for the first few weeks after I went back to work and he rarely finished a bottle and I too struggle to pump enough. I have found though that they are really good at getting them to finish the bottle at daycare, I don't know if it is better burping or a good hold or what but since we've started only one time did he not finish the last oz in his bottle. I was kinda getting worried maybe they were just exaggerating and writing down he ate it all when he didn't but since then I've dropped by randomly at lunch and after work and I saw him finish the bottle so I know it is true. I actually upped my pumps to give him closer to 5.5 oz a bottle and he still finishes them. We struggled in the beginning getting DS to eat enough, the peditrician even had me adding Neosure to my pumped milk, so it is great to see him eat so well there. You may be surprised at how well she eats there. I would hestitate to do too small of bottles since she would be hungry all the time, maybe start on the lower end of her feedings and you can always drop back if they are throwing away a ton after the first couple days.

Cj714 · July 2011

I don't have a suggestion as we are just trying to figure this out as well (start at a daycare center next week!) but I wanted to say that I can't believe they dump out your milk thats not even bad!! Our center made it a point to tell me they are not even allowed to dump out anything (even to clean /rinse the bottle) and need it in writing if the parent wants the bottles rinsed/dumped. Seems so wasteful!!

In your situation I guess I would start with the smaller amount she eats as well and you can always add more if she is finishing everything...Good luck

rattlecanqueen · July 2011

I tell my MIL to start out giving him 2 oz, and give him 2 more if he seems hungry. I store in bags and she gives him bottles. So far it's working out fine! I'm even building up a stash in her freezer! GL

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