How much to feed

caffeinenut · December 2016

I have been having latch problems with my DD since the first time I breastfed. She either latches on too loosely and drops the nipple frequently, or she falls asleep during breastfeeding. She also frequently won't latch on at all and then just screams her head off in hunger. Also, it hurts my nipples so much it brings tears to my eyes. I have been in contact with multiple LC, and they have helped some, but it is still a very painful experience and it is making me begin to resent having to breastfeed. I know breastmilk is best, so I have decided to pump as much as I can and feed her through a bottle, especially when I am really sore. But I'm not sure how much I should feed her. Is there a set rule, such as X amount of ounces as baby grows? Or should I just let her eat until she pushes the bottle away? Is anyone else out there having or had the same problem and can offer some suggestions or advice? I also have a pediatrician appointment tomorrow, so I plan to mention it to her and see what she thinks.

princesslockness · December 2016

Ok, lets see. Baby should eat ~1.5 oz an hour over a 24jr period. Meaning 24-36 oz from 6am-6am. Typically BF LOs on a bottle will take 2-4 oz a bottle depending on how old and how often they eat.

I gave E 2 oz a bottle until she started asking for more when that was gone. Now she does 3 oz every 3-3.5 hrs at 1 month old.

If you still want to nurse occasionally, make sure to pace feed. LO sits up right, and bottle is parallel to the floor. It causes bottle feeds to still be work -sucking so they don't get lazy/angry when nursing.

Kellymom.com is an awesome resource for anything BM related.

TaraGoldenCO · December 2016

From my experience with my first the pain goes away after a week or so, and latching becomes much easier, good luck!

DiFazette · December 2016

My boys are 5 weeks old, roughly 6.5 lbs (they were 6 lbs last week). They eat 3 oz every 3 ish hours with one longer 4-5 HR stretch overnight. They are getting formula/BM combo in each bottle.

@Kate08Young provided some great info. I'll add that if you may want to nurse/pump in combo or go back to exclusive nursing use the absolute slowest flow nipple you can find.

sourlemon · December 2016

My DD must be a piggy. She's 7.5-8 pounds and takes 3-4 oz every 3 hours during the day and 4 hours at night. I couldn't keep up with pumping so she gets 2/3 BM 1/3 formula in each bottle.

We started with 2oz but by a week old she kept acting hungry so we upped it. Had to up it again a few days ago.

ea301 · December 2016

Same with my little piggy @sourlemon - she will usually take 3 to 4 oz (sometimes 5 or very rarely 6 oz) every 3ish hours. She's currently 5.5 weeks old and probably ~8 lbs by now.

jennbaylor12 · December 2016

Ditto @sourlemon and @ea301 - my LO is 3wks old, 7.5lbs and eats 2.5-4oz every 3hrs with one 4hr stretch at night

princesslockness · December 2016

It may be a growth spurt ladies. OR it could be that your LOs aren't *typical*. When L was 4 months he jumped from 4oz every 3 hrs to 7oz every 4 hrs in a week. Then he stayed there until we transitioned to cows milk at 11 months.

What I stated earlier was just the norm, as a starting place.

leksiL · December 2016

My lo cycles between 1.5-3 oz per feeding right now. I am doing baby led and following @Kate08Young bottle instructions which parallel what my lactation specialtist said. She has me pumping right now to heal my nipples which have blisters all over them. It doesn't always go way on it's own especially if your lo has mechanical problems.

Does antibe have any nipple or bottle suggestions? Bella is about 6 lbs and hates the Madela Calma which was a $14 nipple ...ugh.

princesslockness · December 2016

leksiL said:

Does antibe have any nipple or bottle suggestions? Bella is about 6 lbs and hates the Madela Calma which was a $14 nipple ...ugh.

Honestly Es favorite ones are the ones that came with the 'pre-made' formula bottles the hospital sent us home with. It's a super low flow, so she doesn't gag.

sourlemon · December 2016

We use Avent natural for bottles. Not really cheap though but this is our second and both kids have taken to them right away. I got lucky they both took to the first one we offered. Different story for dd1 and her sippy cups! Tried every single one!

capps42613 · December 2016

@sourlemon same here. My son was 7lb 12oz when he was born and by peds appt on day 5 he was 7lbs even. He wasn't getting nearly enough from my breast & was irritable from hunger, which I found out while at the doctors. We had to add formula and he's been eating 4oz since he was 10 days old. Needless to say, he's surpassed his birth weight by now lol

jennbaylor12 · December 2016

We love the Tommee Tippee bottles with the nipples as needed by flow rate

Want a personalized experience?

How much to feed

Re: How much to feed

Choose Another Board

Search Boards