Feeding Question

alohamel · April 2014

Hi ladies..

I have noticed my LO is not pooping enough. This has caused her to be jaundiced. The dr. recommended that I pump so I can see what I am producing for her. I am producing about 1.5-2 oz every 2-3 hours. The baby seems satisfied but doesn't poop often enough. How much and how often are you feeding your LO? How many poops would you say he/she does around 6 days of age? TIA!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

That seems like plenty for a baby that small. Their stomachs are tiny. Also how much you can pump is not a good indicator of how much baby gets when nursing.

ksulli · April 2014

My dd is a big pooper- like has a poop with most nursing sessions, so upwards of 8-9 a day. However, it can be normal for babies to poop as infrequently as once or twice a week- if that's the only digestive issue they're having. I have no idea what DD's intake is, but she seems satisfied, is putting on weight, and has enough wet/dirty diapers to not worry.

the problem with pumping to see what you make/baby takes is that most babies can clear the breast much more effectively than the pump, and they will likely take more from a bottle because it's so easy to drink from. So pumping & bottle feeding doesn't equate to the same output/intake as BFing directly from the breast.

cwm11985 · April 2014

Ditto what pp said; some babies poo more than others. This baby goes after every single time she eats but my toddler only went 2-3 times a week in the beginning. I wouldn't worry about the amount you're pumping; the baby is much more efficient at emptying your boob than a pump is.

jlcccwyatt · April 2014

My baby had several bowel movements daily until day 6. She had some jaundice and I was supplementing her with pumped breast milk and formula due to weight loss (never over 6 oz per day). Her bowels did not move from Day 6 until day 10 (I didn't give her anything to make her go). Since then she has been going 5-6 times a day. I wouldn't panic as long as she is having good alert periods, feeding well and having a good amount of wet diapers. Good luck!