Conflicting Information About How Much Baby Should Be Eating

Personally, I would trust my pediatrician, assuming you're happy with him/her. I love our pediatrician and could recommend him if you're unhappy or become unhappy with yours. Just like anything, some babies do well nursing, while others do not. You might try supplementing with formula - obviously check with your pediatrician, but it's more of a personal preference. Remember, the nutrients your baby gets is from whatever you eat. Formula is already balanced in nutrients, etc. I assume you don't have any problems with the baby vomiting or runny stools. I have 4 kids - tried nursing the first two, but it was a nightmare; the second two I nursed and the last one ate forever, much more than 3 oz.

Hi R.! It sounds like your doing good, but I'm not a pediatrician. I would suggest tapping into the wisdom of La Leche League. Often times doctors have outdated information about breastfed babies and La Leche League is the world's leading source of information. Here's the link...http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html

I know they will give you the correct information. Also, remember that the growth charts that doctors use are deterimined by the averages of formula fed babies, which are typically larger in size than breastfed babies. My son was always in the lower percentile (5-10%). I would say rather than looking at the growth chart look to your son. Does he seem satisfied after he eats? Is he always fussy? Is he alert? Does he seem to be developmentally okay? AND he has enough dirty diapers, so you know he's getting enough fluids!
One more thing... breastfed babies typically eat between 2-4 oz. at a feeding (when from a bottle), which on average is much less than what formula fed babies eat.
I hate to say it but,it sounds like your doctor may be a little misinformed. I have run into this a lot while breastfeeding my son. That is why I always turn towards La Leche League for my breastfeeding information!!!! Good luck! I know you'll find LLL helpful, and follow your own instincts!
K.

p.s. What's more important having a big baby or a healthy baby?

One thing to remember, you doctor only measures your baby occationally. If he just went through a growth spurt, he could be on the low side of the scale even though he is perfectly healthy and normal. It sounds like he is a little on the small side anyway so don't sweat it on the first low weigh in. If you think he is getting enough, then he probably is. If he is still really low at the next doctor's appointment, then you might need to try something else but for now, I say just keep doing what you are doing.

I really urge you to speak with a lactation consultant and join a local breastfeeding support group like LLL.

It really sounds to me like your baby is not real found of the bottle and only takes the bare minimum from it to tied him over until the real deal comes along. Nursing babies are famous for cluster feeding, they are very efficient eaters with this method.

Please use your baby to gauge how well he is feeding. Underfed babies scream A LOT, are dehydrated and sickly. Does this describe your baby? If not then your babe is fine.

Here's a tip for you, pediatricians spend less than a chapter in med school on breastfeeding. Unless they have taken extra steps to become a certified LLC, they are not a breastfeeding expert.

Another tip, pediatricians growth rate charts are made for formula fed babes, whom grow very differently. It is very normal for babies to jump all over the growth charts regardless of feeding style.

I am currently bfing my 4th child, so while I am not a LC nor a pediatrician I have plenty of experience with your situation and would be happy to talk to you any time if you need more advice...BTDT with 1 ff babe and 3 bf babes. :)

Hugs....

Angie~nak

I'd go with your pediatrician on this, too. Is it possible that you don't pump long enough to get the hindmilk, which is higher in fat and therefore, calories? That's my main thought. And you could give your baby one supplemental bottle of formula daily or at night, without messing up breastfeeding at all. It's nice to have your baby accept formula too, in case you ever need to use it (e.g., my Dr. once prescribed an antibiotic for me that was unsafe while nursing, so I had to give a couple bottles until the one dose I took passed through my system). Good luck!

I went through this worry with all three of my kids! First, I say, go with your gut. If he is fussy through the day, maybe he's not getting enough. If he is hungry, he will let you know, and maybe you can begin to supplement with formula. In my experiences, the single most important thing with keeping my supply going was drinking LOTS of water. If you start to dry up, don't beat yourself up about it -- you are a wonderful mom!

Just a quick bit of advice. Unless you are forcing your baby to eat, which it does NOT sound like your doing, you will do better to let your baby guide you. Most people are over eaters but that is not usually ingrained into us until we are children. My pediatrician and my lactation consultant both told me to feed my children until they were full and they would let me know when that was. If it's an ounce or 6 they will let you know when they have had enough.

I am a mom of a 3 year old and a 5 month old neither of which couldn't latch on in order to breastfeed. Dedicated to breastfeeding, I bought the Medela Advance pump 'n go and have expressed milk (1 year with my oldest and the entire life of my baby). I have spent many hours with lactation specialists--this is what I have gleaned.

In order to keep up your milk supply, you need to pump every 3-4 hours (except at night). Your baby's food needs grow as he grows. At this point (10 wks), he should be drinking 4 ounces every 3-4 hours. My kiddo didn't have much of an appetite so we had to wake him up to feed. Soon (the next 3-4 weeks) your baby should start taking 8 ounces at a time again on a 3-4 hour interval.

I hope this is helpful. I'm certainly not an expert, but I ask a lot of questions of the experts!

My 9 week old eats about 4-5 oz per feeding. Are you pumping for a full 15-20 min? Until recently I was stopping 2 min after letdown stopped (<10 min) and I would only get ~3oz. When I increased the amount of time I pumped to 15-20 I get multiple letdowns and about 5oz.

I found LOTS of great breastfeeding information at Kellymom.com. There are even sections on what to do to increase your milk supply. I'm worried about pumping after I go back to work, so I've been reading those.

I agree whole-heartedly with Jen R. I BF my second daughter and she was in a lower percentile for a long time too. Formula-fed babies usually weigh more. Also, I found that my daughter preferred to eat when I was home-- she didn't eat much at daycare, but would nurse a big portion of the evening. BF babies will adjust their schedules to eat more with mom. My second daughter didn't take in nearly as much from a bottle as my first did (we didn't get off to a good start with BF my first, so she was mostly bottle-fed), and I worried about it for a while until I realized that she made up for it in the evenings and at night with me. As long as he is content after feeding, you really don't need to worry. Also, my pediatrician said it didn't matter what percentile a baby was in, as long as they generally followed the same curve on the chart (for instance, if they are 20% one visit, 10% the next, 15% the next, that's good. They would be more concerned if he was 60%, 20%, 5%). I HIGHLY recommend The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. William Sears-- there is a lot of information that can ease your fears & help with pumping & supply issues. And good for you for seeing a Lactation Consultant!! I really think that is key-- these ladies KNOW what they are talking about. When it comes to breastfeeding, I'd be more likely to listen to what they have to say over what the pediatrician says. Good luck! You're doing a wonderful thing for your baby. Please don't let any doubts creep into your mind about how you're doing-- just listen to your baby. As long as he's happy, you're in good shape.

All babies are different but our pediatrician gave us this formula to follow and it seems to work out well for us. If you take the baby's age in monthes plus 2...that's how much formula your baby should be eating at each feeding. Feedings should be between every 3 to 5 hours. I was also concerned about the amount, or lack there of, of milk I would get when I was pumping. I was told that you wouldn't get nearly as much as your baby gets. The baby empties your breast more effeciently than a pump does.

I'm not sure what the "right" amount is, but with my first baby, I didn't pump much more than 3 ounces at a time, either. Normally, what we did was to make a minimum of 6 ounces at a time, supplementing with formula if necessary (we would mix formula with breast milk when the supply went low). We fed our son on demand, which meant he could eat as much as every two hours or sooner if he was really fussy and the usual stuff wasn't causing his crankiness (dirty diapers, being cold, etc...). We may have wasted some food but we at least knew he was eating all that he wanted to because the bottle wasn't empty when he finished.

I also remember that bottles can make a difference - maybe trying a different brand of bottle that uses a different nipple...it could be that the hole is too small and he is tiring out before getting a full feeding.....

Good luck.

Rachel,

When my son was 10 weeks old I was nursing him every 2 1/2 to 3 hrs (approx 6-7 times/day). I returned to work full time until he was 6 months old and I too started back when he was 10 weeks. He never absolutely loved the bottle. He would usually only take 3 oz or so at a feeding and according to the caregiver she always had to really prod him. I think he maybe made up for it though when he would nurse first thing in the morning and his two evening/night feedings. That said I have a few thoughts for you:

I've read that when babies nurse they drink approx one more ounce than you can pump because they are more efficient. So when you nurse him at home he probably drinks more than you are pumping, maybe as much as 4 oz.

Another thought is how often are you feeding him exactly? You mentioned that he is on-demand but if he isn't demanding every 2 1/2 to 3 hrs then you probably need to start that to be more consistent with how much he is taking in and to increase his calorie intake.

In "The Secrets of the Baby Whisper" she says that babies 8-12 weeks old take in approx. 4-6 oz per feeding when nursing. My son never drank much more than 4 oz at the most out of a bottle or cup and his weight as averaged in the 50th percentile (dipping down to the 25th at 6 months before increasing back to 50th again). Every once in awhile he would drink a lot for someone else but I think he saved his heavy drinking for on tap. =)

Your son's weight, diapers, etc. all give you really important info on whether he is getting enough. Your pediatrician is your son's Dr. and knows babies best. The lactation consultant is knowledgeable too but she may be assuming he is eating every 2 hrs or less, therefore thinking he doesn't need more than 2.5 oz at a time (which would be true but the problem there is you don't want to create a constant snacker that never really fills up his belly and is always hungry an hour after eating).

At any rate, Good Luck!! You are doing a great job with the pumping and it is worth it if you can keep it up.

Rachel, Hi my name is Jennifer and I've worked in Maternal Health/Labor and Delivery for 5 years. If your baby is thriving, nursing regularly with large-big gulps of breast milk as he nurses, takes in good nursing sessions each time he eats (meaning not snacking and is nursing for a good amount of time to get the "hind milk"),if he's pooping and peepeeing regularly and generally appears happy, SATISFIED, and healthy - then I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter who is a very active 3 year old was at 6% and at the lowest 1% on the growth charts for the first 2 years of her life. She nursed for 2 1/2 years, always ate like crazy and was satisfied. God made her little and that was fine. I would agree with your lactation consultant if it were me. Since moving to Bartlesville, I've been very disappointed at how I'm always being told by nursing mom's that their pediatrician says the baby's are too small and need to be supplemented. Next time ask your pediatrician if he used the growth chart for formula fed babies. Formula fed babies should never be compared to breast fed babies. It's a whole different thing totally. Formula babies are bigger babies. Bigger is not always healthy. My pediatrician was not the least bit concerned of my daughters weight. He fully understood that breast babies are different, that she was genetically smaller like her mother as a baby, and that she would catch up. She did catch up. Your body will make what the baby needs and if not - he'll let you know by nursing more. Trust your natural instincts for what you feel is right for your baby. Also, Mother's Milk Tea (made by Traditional Medicinals) is great for building milk supply. You can buy it at the Health Food Store or online. Drinking 3-4 cups per day is ideal. Drink plenty of non-caffeine fluids, take your prenatal vitamins, try to get some rest, and eat healthy. Just relax, smile, and trust your instincts.

It seems like you've received a lot of conflicting or confusing advice. That's just the way it is when you're a mom, isn't it? I would recommend La Leche League. You can find your local group on their website www.llli.org They also have a lot of information that you can get directly from the website. I would suggest calling a Leader (you can find them from the website just like you find your group). They have access to the most up to date information on breastfeeding and are specially trained to help mothers breastfeed in all sorts of situations. They can help you find a plan that allows you to continue breastfeeding your silly baby boy :) and reassure you that you are doing the best for your son.

I would say that you should trust your maternal instincts as well. You are the best mother for your son and you are the expert on YOUR baby.

Hi, I found that the best way to be sure my nursing babies at well, and I was giving them enough, was to put them on a schedule. I know a lot of the rage has been to feed on demand, but you actually produce richer, more nutritious milk, plus a larger quantity (so baby actually gets FULL and stays full longer) when you put your baby on a schedule. You seem like a well-educated person, and you may greatly benefit from the book "Baby Wise" by Gary Ezzo. Granted, it seems extreme to put an infant on a schedule, but children THRIVE on schedules, even infants, and I did this with all three of my babies, and I nursed every one of them. They always stayed in about the 40th percentile (my babies have always been smaller, we have small-stature genes). Anyway, they never fluctuated like your baby seems to have done lately. Give it a try. At 10 weeks I had my babies nursing every 3 1/2 -4 hours, and about three short naps a day. All three also slept totally through the night by 10 weeks. I think you'll like this approach.

Best of luck!
S.
p.s. Most of my friends have tried this method, too, and the ones who stuck to it had healthy babies, and they slept through the night before 3 months! That's good news to any mom! :)

Hi Rachel,

I wanted to say a few things first...
1) for people that are saying when babies eat formula it will cause them to be more suceptible to getting illnesses, that is wrong. I have 4 children all of which have been strictly formula fed.
2) from what you have said in your post it sounds like you only pump 3 times a day. That is not enough to keep him satisfied. 3 ounces total throughout the whole day...isn't enough. Regardless of whether he is formula fed or breastfed he should eat anywhere between every 2 - 4 hours and then 2 -6 ounces.
3) However much you were breastfeeding him at home is how much you should be pumping now at work. So if you were feeding him every 2 hours on each side for 20 minutes a piece then you should be doing the same with pumping.
4) What will end up happening is a) your milk will start drying up b) your son will be starving and not growing or gaining weight c) he will be fussy, not sleeping, and not growing.

5) My adivce start pumping more like every 2 hours to see if your can increase your milk supply, you will be able to see if he will start gaining weight by weighing him and you at the same time and then weighing yourself. You can also do the same after he eats (weigh him and you first before you wiegh him). You probably need a digital scale so you could see the ounces. If this doesn't start putting weight on then you may not be producing enough and you will probably have to start going to formula. Either way he should be eating more and you should be pumping more.

My 4th daughter was formula fed but at 10 weeks old she was eating 6 ounce bottles every 4 hours.

Hi. I agree everyone has different opinions on feedings. I am glad you were able to rent a nice pump. I would try to feed your baby more so he will stay healthy and thrive. It is hard to tell how much your baby is getting by pumping. I believe they actually get more when they nurse. When you are nursing it is always hard to know exactly how much they are getting. I would reccomend you keep track of how often he is eating... at least every 3 hours Make sure he is full when you are nursing him. If you feel your supply is less than youd like you could try something called mothers milk. Several of my friends have used it and noticed a difference. They found it at the health food stores. There may be a couple of differnt ways to take it but the one they had was a type of tea. I hope all goes well for you and your new baby. It can be so distressing to know what to do but you've got a good start.

I have to disagree with everyone else on this one. Pediatricians have little experience with breastfed babies. Maybe your little one just takes in the least to keep him satisfied until you are with him again. Then tanks up from the source. A breastfed maybe will take in less more often. As long as he has plenty of wet and dirty diapers continue to feed on demand and leave pumped milk for him. Look at the baby, not the chart. In other words, if he is healthy, happy, well hydrated,ect then he is fine. The charts are generally based on formula fed babies. Breastfed babies grow at different rates. Pediaticians get NO training in regards to breastfeeding. Feel free to get a second opinion from another lactation professional if necessary. I always question a doctors advice on breastfeeding and ask a more qualified professional. Also, if your baby has not had any formula previously there is no reason to give a supplemental bottle. Just one bottle of formula alters a babies gut making him more susceptible to illness. kellymom.com is a great breastfeeding resource.

I would go with what your pediatrician is saying. It does not sound like you should be worried that your baby is in the 5th percentile. That does not mean that he is malnutritioned! Is he growing? Is he having wet/poopy diapers? Does he seem satisfied when he is done eating? How long do you work? You may want to pump a few more times at work to keep your supply up!

First of all, I'd like to say that you're doing a wonderful thing by breastfeeking your son and would encourage you to keep at it. Next, I agree with a lot of the other moms about contacting the LaLeche League for some help. In my experience, my breastfed baby ate smaller amounts more often and the formula fed babies I know were eating larger amounts of formula less often. I think that you're doing fine as long as your baby is producing several dirty diapers a day and he's not being too fussy. A hungry baby will let you know they're hungry. I've also been pumping for the past 8 months and the more consistent you are with pumping the more you will start to produce. Also be sure to drink lots of water. I also pumped 15 minutes per session to make sure that I emptied my breasts and got all of the fatty hind milk. Anyway, best of luck with breastfeeding! You're doing a great job!

Hi Rachel. You have received several conflicting responses to this question. I have been in your shoes. My daughter(15 months) was and still is breastfed. She is small for her age and so our pediatrician is always telling me she isn't eating enough. I decided to get other opinions because my daughter was having plenty of wet and BM diapers and was eating between every 2-3 hours. I took her to a lactation consultant and my family practice doctor. They both agreed that she was just going to be a small baby and that she was doing fabulous. Most times when I was away from my daughter she would only eat about 3-5oz in an 8 hr period. Then she would nurse what felt like nonstop for about a few hours after I returned.
The best way to tell if your little guy is getting enough is whether he is happy or fussy after his feedings. The only thing I would suggest is if you are working 8 hour shifts and only getting about 3oz when you pump, you may try pumping twice while you are at work to help keep your millk supply up.
Best luck keeping up breastfeeding. It really is best for your little guy.

He should get however much he can take in without it all coming back up. If he is hungry, let him eat until he is ready to stop. You can't really put much stock in how much everyone says generally a child should be eating, because all kids are different. Don't worry too much though. My son is now 22 months old, and he has always been in the lowest percentiles on weight. He is so active, and always has been, that I can't put enough food down him to fatten him up. He dropped completely off the charts a couple of times. He is now in about the 15th percentile in weight and still in the 90th percentile in height, but he is a very healthy, very active little man.

For milk production, you might consider pumping more often if possible to increase your milk production. When I was on leave, I pumped after every breast feeding for 10-15 minutes, and when I returned to work, I pumped every 3 hours. It made my production increase quite a bit. By the time I was ready to slow my production down, I was pumping 10-16 ounces each time. Good luck.

When my daughter was around that age, we were still supplementing and she would down a 4oz bottle in no time at all. 2.5ozs sounds reallly on the low side. A baby that age should still be feeding about every 2 hours as well.