Eating Too Much?

JamieK1882 · November 2014

My LO is 1 week old today, and as of yesterday we moved to pretty much exclusively pumping. Both mom and baby are much happier this way; however now it seems she is eating a TON.

When I switched to pumping we rented the hospital-grade pump.
The LC told me to give LO 1 oz at each feeding, and then a second if she wanted it. However she has been taking 2-3 oz at each feeding, and even 4.5 last night!

Am I givinh her too much? She doesn't spit up and we take breaks to make sure she isn't guzzling too much. Is it even possible to over-feed a newborn?

VitaLuna · November 2014

All that Casey said. Also, to give you some perspective. My LO is 15mo and has never taken more than 4-4.5oz in a bottle. That is WAY too much milk.

eggmankate · November 2014

Why are you pumping?--just curious! The first 6 weeks are critical and set the stage for breastfeeding success and adequate supply. IMO pumping should only be done when absolutely necessary. I would think pumping and giving bottles is harder than just putting baby to breast.

JamieK1882 · November 2014

Thanks for the help. I should have clarified better in my original post. The 4.5 mL was across 2am-6am, not all at once. I called our peds office this am and they said in a 24-hour period she should be getting 16oz max. So far today we're only at 5.5 oz (which includes the 4.5 overnight). We made the switch to pumping because quite honestly both baby and I were absolutely miserable. I met with our LC several times and we just had a ton of trouble. This seems to work best for our family and schedule for now, so I'm going to try my best.

Richardsmom_817 · November 2014

Not sure this makes any difference, but my first three kids were FF (I am now BF'ing my 4th), my first two would eat 2-3 oz of formula at that age, but my third, she was a tank...she was taking 5-6 oz when we got home from the hospital.....

mattanda2011 · November 2014

This may be a little against what everyone else says, but I do think it's possible for some babies to take more per feeding less often. My 5 month old is now taking 6.5oz bottles, but less frequently - and he's getting the right amount in a 24 hour period.
When we started bottles around 1 month he would take 3oz. So I think 2oz is probably fine especially if he's getting it like every 3hours instead of 2.
Also, if you aren't using a paci, maybe try that after 2oz so she gets the sucking and not always milk.

Want a personalized experience?

Eating Too Much?

Re: Eating Too Much?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards