pumping & amount to feed? [Archive]

aidan

01-19-2010, 07:27 PM

Hi! I'm a new mom with an 11 week old baby boy. We went for our MD visit yesterday & the MD told me I might not be making enough milk b/c he isn't sleeping longer than 3-4 hrs at a time at night and he is in the 25th% for weight (97th% for height). My mom says I was exactly the same when I was a baby. Anyways, I've started fenugreek and will start pumping more since I need a supply for starting back at work. So here are my ?'s:
- How much per feeding do I need to give?
- Anything else I can do to help with pumping/milk supply since I don't seem to get more than 3 oz at a time (maybe b/c I'm nursing every 2 hrs)?

Nurseliz

01-19-2010, 08:03 PM

Yikes. I am so sorry your doctor sent you down this road of insecurity.

I cannot go against what a physician says BUT this I know:
1. Frequency of feeds has NOTHING to do with infant satiety. Babies feed frequently because they are growing so fast. My second daughter did not sleep more than 3 hours at a stretch until she was 2 years old. And this is the norm for most breastfed babies although some do begin sleeping longer stretches at around 6-9 months. I just was not that lucky.
2. Lets see he is 97% taller than his peers and 25% skinnier. So long and lean. Does the doctor expect him to be exactly in the 50%. Also consider that most physicians are comparing breastfed babies to the average which unfortunately in the US is formula fed. Compare your baby on this BREASTFED baby growth chart. I bet he is right on track. http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/chart2.html
3. Pumping and giving EBM in a bottle could sabotage breastfeeding in several ways. Impair latch, decrease supply and ruin your confidence.
4. 3 ounces per pumping is an awesome amount, you go girl!
5. I am not going to make a recommendation on how much to give him. My personal opinion is for you to continuing to allow him to nurse on demand and consider finding a breastfeeding supportive pediatrician.
All in all, sounds like you are doing a fine job and would have continued doing fine had it not been for the misinformation /lack of breastfeeding support at your appointment.
Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC