How Many Ounces

I had so many breastfeeding problems so I eventually called La Leche league and they gave me so many tips on all my issues. They also respond very quickly. I do not have the number on me at the moment but go to the website and it will have the info.

My ped told us the average baby drinks 2 - 2.5 ounces per pound per day. But many go way over or way under and are perfectly fine. If he's not unhappy, he's probably eating enough. I guessed how much mine was drinking by how full/empty I was during a nursing session versus pumping.
If he is willing to drink more in 1 sitting, you can get the same amount of food in fewer feedings, and that means saving time. If you can pump more, give your mom a bottle with 6-7 oz, then a spare (or breast milk bag) with 1-2 oz. You don't want to waste that precious milk if he's not interested in more.

most of us just feed until they stop eating, then theyre full. it doesnt have to be a certain number but if youre concerned about overfeeding ask your pediatrician. good luck

First, I applaud you again for your efforts in breast feeding! Each feed should vary - and with the breast, you should wait until he pulls away - he knows when he's full, it's a great natural thing! Here's what my ped gave me as a way to gauge what my son should eat per day (daily ounce/bottle average)

multiply 2.5 x his bodyweight. that total is how much he needs to drink PER DAY in ounces. so - if he feeds 4-6 times per day, divide the total by how many times he feeds, and thats your average per ounce.

Call your ped - have your ped validate this - and I urge you to make your dear MIL aware that YOU are in charge of your childs best interest!!! Don't let her overfeed him!!! Bless your heart - I totally feel your pain... my MIL is the same way!!!

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/formulafeed/9136.html

another great resource - babycenter is so great!!!

Kim,

My daughter is four months also. I breastfed her for the first two months. She is now on formula and she drinks 6 oz bottles. Each baby is diffferent, but they should drink 24-32 oz a day now. When they go through a growth spirt they will want more to eat for a few days and then go back to their normal eating schedule. My doctor also told me that your baby at this age, will let you know if they don't want to eat...and that you can't over feed a breastfed baby.

Good luck!

Hi K.,

I have a son that is almost 4 months old as well. He is not breastfed but eats anywhere between 4 and 6 ounces at each feeding for a total of about 28-30 ounces a day. He weighs about 15 lbs and the doc says he's doing fine. Our parents love to "help" but times are different now. Follow your instincts and doctors advice and thank your mom for her input.

J. D.

I always let my babies nurse until they pulled away from the breast. If feeding by bottle it depends on how much the baby wants and if the baby is satisfied after a feeding. If he's 4 months old he's starting to get more active and 4-6 oz is not going to stay with him long, and normally this is the time solids start getting introduced. My 3 by the time they were 4 months old were eating 6-8oz, and were starting to eat solids. It's hard when you are a first time mom and all of us have been there, but try and give him 6-7 oz and see how he acts afterwards. If he's not satisfied give him another 1-2 oz and then see what he does. If he's still not satisfied he's ready for solids. I don't think you have to worry about overfeeding him because I think the he will let you know what he needs-just listen, trust yourself because your mommy and go with it:)

Hi K.,
When my boys where 4mo. they took about 8oz at a feeding and at night I was having to mix breast milk with rice cereal to get them full enough to eat. I think it depends on the child, but if your mom is going to give him formula if she does not have enough breastmilk then you have one of two choices, 1. let her or 2. find someone else to watch the baby.

Hey K.,

Trust your instincts and make your mom understand that she needs to respect your wishes as a mother. The best way I have found to tell if your child is getting enough to eat isn't right after they finish, it's closer to the next feeding. My daughter has been in daycare since she was 6 weeks old and at about 2 1/2 months she started getting fussy for them in the afternoons, and while for some babies this is normal, for her it is not. She is never fussy, unless she is hungry. I had been sending 4 oz bottles with her, and that wasn't enough. I started giving her 6 oz bottles and she has been doing great with that ever since. We have introduced solids in the last two weeks and she is going great with that as well. I think too many people try to introduce solids before the child is ready out of their own interest. She can still suck down a 6 oz bottle in just a few minutes, but she is full, and gaining weight very well. I would talk to his doctor and then relay the info to your mom, I would also stress to her that breast is best, and that you would really appreciate it if she would respect your wishes and not give him any formula. I hope this helps, and good luck. You sound like you are doing a great job, just hang in there!!

A.

It is difficult with breastfed babies to know how much they need but she should obey your wishes with her care of him. If he isnt crying for more then he is probably fine. Maybe you could pack a few bottles and if he is acting hungry after the first then she can give him that. My son drank 6 ounce bottles when he got one. He was breastfed on demand so I never worried about him not getting enough unless he was loosing weight or not having enough wet diapers. It was never a problem. Good luck!

I breastfed until 7 mos. (My son is now 9 mos.) I had the same problem with my mom (who did not breastfeed herself). She was always able to get more in him with a bottle than he would normally eat for me, which made me question if I was underfeeding him. I think she kept putting the bottle back in when he released it.
My little one really never took more than 4-6 ounces (ever). As long as he seems content, is having wet diapers, and is meeting his growth requirements at his doctor visits, he is getting what he needs. That is what my pediatrician told me.
I have read books that recommend giving your breast fed baby one bottle per 24 hours of pumped milk. This allows someone else to feed the baby, gives you a break, lets you know how much he is taking, and keeps them comfortable going b/w breast and bottle.

A lot of people don't realize that breastmilk is different than formula. It changes composition to meet baby's needs, so while babies drink more and more formula as they get older, breastfed babies don't necessarily need to once they get to a certain amount. The calorie content and fat in the milk just increases without really increasing in volume. It also depends on the mother and baby. My daughter is 5 and a half months old. She started out drinking 1 to 3 ounces when she was very young. Now she drinks 3-5oz, and not usually all at once in one feeding. She spaces it out over time and is very healthy. My friend has a baby who is 9 months and has been drinking at least 6oz at a time since she was about 3 months old. I agree with everyone else - as long as your baby is happy with the amount he's eating (with that slow flow nipple - the best I think are the Born Free bottles with the Level 1 slow flow even though they say 0-3months they can be used for older breastfed babies too) - he should be fine!The numbers I'm mentioning here are averages as well so keep in mind that some days or weeks, babies will eat more than usual and some less. If he's going through a growth spurt he might want more to eat - then he may sleep more for a few days and eat less while he grows. Just feed him on demand and he'll keep your milk supply up to what it needs to be. Also keep in mind that if you go through a couple days when you pump and get less than usual it 's probably not that your supply has gone down, but just a temporary dip (sometimes it's related to your period) - keep feeding the baby frequently and pumping and it will come back. Good luck!

Babies have a way of letting you know when they are full, just like they let you know when they are hungry. If he can finish a 7oz bottle, then add more and let him move up about a quarter oz at a time. It is quite possible that 8 oz. is the right amount. My daughter was at that amount by 4 months and ready for solids. You don't have to worry about overfeeding him, just underfeeding him. Imagine how hungry you are if you go 8-10 hours without eating in the day. A baby's 3-4 hours awake are like that for them. So now imagine that you were given half a snickers bar to eat but wanted a whole one. The idea is that is better to have more to offer him and possibly waste some if he does not want it than to make him stay hungry because you are not sure if you are overfeeding him.

Oh.. and as for mixing in cereal. If you do, do not put it in a bottle. Cereal does not dissolve, it just gets kinda thin and in a bottle is the number one choking hazard for infants.

The rule that I have always been told is about 2 ounces per pound per day. So if your son weighs 12 pounds he will drink on average 24 ounces a day.
As far as the situation with your mother, you have to firm. This is the way that I am doing things. My child, my rules. Let her know that if she goes behind your back, you will take your son somewhere else, and you don't want to have to do that. Good Luck!
T. J

Breastfed babies typically need about an ounce an hour when being bottlefed. Maybe share these links with your mother?

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

He should eat as much as he will take. My 6 mo old only drinks 4-6 ounces and she was 7 weeks premie. If that is what he wants, that is all he needs. As long as he is still gaining weight you have nothing to worry about. Tell your mom to back off and that you are his mother not her.

It completely depends on the baby. My daughter who is now 4yrs old ate 6 oz. my 4 months and she was completely breastfed & she was always in her 75% in her weight and height. I currently have a 7 1/2 month old son who is still pretty much completely breastfed (besided eating solids), but when I'm out and about I'll give him formula and he only eats 4oz. MAYBE 5oz. but thats it. He is currentlt in his 50% in weight and height and a perfectly healthy and happy baby. I was also concerned b/c I thought he should be eating mer but his dr. told me babies know when they've had enough and as long as he's gaining and healthy he'll be fine. At your next dr. appt. ask your babys dr. and relay the message to your mom or better yet take your mom with you, maybe she'll listen to her better. Futhermore you know your baby better than anyone.