BF/Pumping - Need some encouragement

CarlaAndJames · October 2011

I need some encouragement. I typically pump just enough to get Lexi by each day while she's at daycare. Now they are asking me to send more per bottle because she seems hungry after she finishes each one. I added 1/2 oz to each today and they were disappointed saying she needs more, and that the amount is going to continue to increase. I have no idea how I'll ever be able to keep up.

For the full details - Lexi usually eats 15oz (3 5oz bottles) while she's at daycare from 730-330. I usually pump 10-12 while at work, and then try to make up the rest by pumping once before I go to bed at night. I pump 1-2x per day on the weekends and usually get enough to barely make up what I don't get for her during the day. Pretty much every week I've had to take at least a few oz out of the freezer, and my stash is only about 80 oz or so, so that's not going to last forever. I sent 5.5 oz today, but I know they want at least 6 if not more. I haven't ever taken anything to increase my milk supply, so I guess that's my next try. Calling my LC today at lunch.

I know I had also read that breastfed babies don't always need to go up to 7,8+ oz bottles like formula babies because the constitution of the milk changes. Is the DC just going by what they know and asking me to increase they like do for formula babies?

Also, she used to sleep through the night, but the past 2 nights she's been waking every 2-3 hours to eat, so I'm thinking growth spurt (she's 3 1/2 months old)? If that's the case could she just meed more temporarily, or is she going to need 18+ oz for that 8 hours from now on?

Sorry for the novel...any advice? I was bawling my eyes out while I was pumping this morning bc DH called while I was in there and told me daycare was disappointed with my extra 1/2 oz per bottle.

rainstar752 · October 2011

I think they might just be saying that because they're used to formula fed babies increasing their amounts. I also started doing smaller bottles more frequently- is that an option? My daycare said she does better when she only has two hours between bottles, even if the amount is smaller for each one (so the total amount is the same). At least, it's something you could try!

BosMama626 · October 2011

Hi - I'm going through the same thing. DS eats 18oz while at daycare and I usually pump 1-2 oz less than that per day. I have a good stash in the freezer but it isn't going to last. I've been eating oatmeal (doesn't seem to be going much) and just started drinking mother's milk tea today. Hopefully that will help.

I've come to terms with knowing that I'll probably have to start supplementing with formula soon.

GL.

bunnymama625 · October 2011

it sounds like they are going by formula babies-- bf babies aren't supposed to really increase their ounces at all.

I second the pp with sending smaller, more frequent bottles- also, I noticed my dc stopped saying she was still hungry when I nursed her twice before daycare instead of once-- I nurse her the second we wake up, and again right when I drop her off at daycare.

I also told them she has reflux and they need to feed her really slowly- taking breaks every 4-5 swallows (taking it out, she takes a breath, put it back in) -she does, but it really doesn't affect her eating- but this got them to slow down and not just shove a bottle down her throat, so she felt full instead of getting to the end of the bottle and it hadn't fully hit her stomach yet.

jcsumm0 · October 2011

Does your DCP know how to do a paced feed for BF babies? They shouldn't gulp down all the milk at once, they should take the bottle out of her mouth every few swallows and then offer it back to her letting her control the feeding. https://kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

Sorry if I linked this to you before--I know I've suggested it several times on this board.

MrsSparklesMcGee · October 2011

Same thing happened to me (last week) and I was in the same place you are. I'm still frustrated about it, but what I'm trying is sending 4 - 4 oz bottles (16 oz) instead of 3 - 5 oz bottles (15 oz) and just asking them to feed her more often. I figured that I could probably up it to an extra oz per day. It's sort of working, but this is certainly a challenge.

walter7878 · October 2011

I bet the LC will be able to make you feel better and help answer your questions. I am getting nervous that I'm not sending enough for DS to daycare, either. I also see those huge bottles of formula the other moms bring and I wonder how I'm ever going to keep up.

What I do know for sure, though, is that you are doing awesome and you're sending 15 ounces of milk a day, which is no small feat! Don't let the daycare milk police get you down! Smile

mari_gold · October 2011

Your daycare is wrong. Breastfed babies don't need to dramatically increase their bottles because breastmilk changes to suit their needs as they grow up. My son took 4 oz. bottles until he was 11 months old, and he's 75th percentile!

You could ask them to slow down her feeds and see whether that makes a difference. In your shoes I would also print off a bunch of info about breastmilk and older babies and then give it to them, so they aren't giving moms like you needless anxiety.

~denise~ · October 2011

Are they feeding her as soon as she fusses? I would explain to your dcp to try other things when she fusses because she might not be hungry. How often does your LO eat on the weekends? could you exlain to your dcp that your LO eats this often and only gets whatever you pump so she should be fine at daycare?

CarlaAndJames · October 2011

They feed her pretty much exactly every 3 hours. We've told them on demand is fine, but I know it works better for them to stick to a schedule since they have to coordinate feeding a bunch of babies. She eats about at the same intervals at home, but I haven't ever weighed her before/after a feeding so I'm not really sure how much she eats at the breast. I'd guess it varies a ton based on how distracted she is!

I don't want to be stubborn and refuse to send more if she is really hungry, I just also don't want them to keep upping her bottles and stretching her stomach out because formula babies need 7 oz at her age, you know?

ann_jeremiah · October 2011

My first day of sending DS to grandma's for DC she decided to give him 8 oz bottles.. he had been eating 4 oz bottles!! I freaked out.. He ate it all and didn't throw up.. so she says.

We had a doctor appointment that week, so I asked the doctor and she said if he'll eat 8 oz then give him 8 oz. I KNOW he does not get 8 oz out of me when he's BF. I've noticed that he goes longer between feedings with a bigger bottle. When I BF him he still goes every 2-3 hours.. with a bigger bottle he'll go 3-4 hours between feedings.

To increase your supply - you could try pumping after every feeding you do. Trick your body into thinking that the baby is still eating.

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