Milk supply

[DanielleD]

I have a 2.5 week old, she was born at 4lbs. 15 oz. at 39 weeks. Her tongue is tied and breastfeeding is going better than I thought. My problem is that she is so tiny and will nurse for over an hour-not emptying either breast. She will fall asleep and after 20min to an hour wake up and want to eat for an additional hour+. I have had a ton of milk over the last 2 weeks, so I would pump and freeze what was expressed. My Pediatrician said if she does not gain weight he wants her on formula as well. I do NOT want her on formula. I have given her 2+ ounces of pumped milk in a bottle and she will nurse and take the bottle. I have noticed that my left breast will produce 4-5 ounces but my right breast will express 1 ounce maybe 2. Is that normal? Today my right breast seems like it is bearly expressing any at all. What can I do?

[debbie_page]

I would feed back lots of your milk to her either through a feeding tube or bottle. How much does she weigh?

[DanielleD]

Last week she was 4lbs 12 ounces

[debbie_page]

She needs about 13 ounces of milk a day to gain an ounce a day. Are you familiar with the feeding tube at the breast method?

[DanielleD]

no

[debbie_page]

go http://www.drjacknewman.com tp read about using the tube at the breast and about slow weight gain. Baby does not need formula as long as you have plenty of pumped milk.

[DanielleD]

Thank you for that website, I will read up. How can I get more milk to be expressed through my right breast? Is it normal for one to have so much more than the other?

[debbie_page]

The average breast produces about an 1/2 ounce per hour. It is normal for one to produce more than the other. More stimulation to the left via pumping may increase it.

[DanielleD]

Thank you for your help

[debbie_page]

When you start to feed her extra, she will get more energy and start nursing better. I would like for her to be weighed daily until she is gaining an ounce a day or more.

[DanielleD]

ok

[debbie_page]

Enjoy!