My Baby Spits as She Drinks... Is She Getting Enough???

My son breastfeeds, and we noticed as we tried bottles that he did the same, and sometimes would store up the milk and then spill it out. The bottles are going to be much faster than the breast, so that was the problem for my baby. We now feed him with the bottle either in his rocker or propped up on pillows, this is easier for him, and it distinguishes between the breast and the bottle. The bottle that my son like and my three year old also liked, is the Playtex drop in bottle. We get the brown nipples, they are closer to the feeling of the breast. I would recommend (as others have) that you primarily breast feed if you can, she will establish the milk she needs. You will not be able to pump the same amount that she can get from your breast. She will learn to take what she needs. I know that I was not able to really pump for a while because he pretty much took everything I had...but he is growing like a weed so I know he is getting what he needs.
If you do give her a bottle, they recommend that you pump at the same time...
Good luck...
K.

IF you are trying to get your milk supply up you need her on the breast as much as possible. I know how hard that is and I opted to do the pumping myself but, I was never able to keep up with my little guy and eventually went to just formula and it was the worse thing I could do. I wish I could back and redo it because he has such a hard time with formula. He is like a revolving fountain with the stuff and I do not remember him being that way with just breastmilk. I urge you from my mistake to get help with this from a professional because it sounds like your little girls tummy cant handle the formula like my little guy cant and he is 5 months old and still spitting up EVERYWHERE. Best of luck and congrautlations.

I have a 4 week old son and have had similar problems. I just saw the Ped. today and he said that spitting up is actually a good sign, because if he has enough to spit up, that means he's probably getting plenty. Also, I've found that there are very few bottles that work well for him at this age. My favorite is a Nuby bottle. It's kind of pear shaped and the nipple has little nubs on it which makes it very similar to your nipple. Even then, I try to get her to take the bottle very slowly... I let him suck for a minute or two (probably taking no more than an 1/2 ounce) and then burp him. Otherwise, he has milk leakage in his mouth and excess spit up.

I also agree with the women who have said if you are trying to get your milk supply up you need to put your baby to the breast. The baby stimulates you in a way that really cannot be simulated by the pump. Also, you and she need to learn how to get a good latch early on, or you will be stuck with bottles forever.

Finally, what our doctor recommend I try to get my supply up was to try feeding 15 minutes on each side... then if the baby was still hungry, supplement with 1-2 ounces of formula. Try to keep feedings every 2.5-3 hours. Then pump for at least 10 minutes on each side. This does two things... it makes sure your baby is getting enough, and secondly it helps increase your milk supply. Good luck and be patient as you are both learning how to breastfeed! :)

I agree. If you are concerned about milk supply, you need to have the baby on your breast. The spitting might be a bit of nipple confusion if you are going between bottle and breast. You body will adjust to make the amount of milk your baby needs.
That being said, if she is peeing and pooping fine, than she is getting the milk in. You could also go buy one of those fancy baby scales and weigh her before and after feedings. Then you would know for sure how much she is getting.
Keep in mind, you are going to be spending a lot of time at the doctors office in the coming months with all the well-baby checks. I'm sure the ped will let you know if there is something not right.

The nipple your using might have too fast of a flow. There are slow medium and fast flow nipples. If she is having good ammount of wet and poopy dipers Im sure she's getting enough. If your trying to increase your milk supply nurse her more. Pumping will not produce as much milk as actually breast feeding.

You should try mothers milk tea. It helped with my milk production. You can buy it at Frys or most health food stores. GNC carries it also.
If you can stick to just breast I would. It is so much better for you and your baby. I was told that switching back and forth between breast and formula is really h*** o* your baby's digestive tract by my sons pediatrician. Try the tea then just start nursing more. The more you nurse the more milk you make. I nursed my son for a year and a half. Make sure you are eating enough healthy calories. That really makes a difference in your milk prodution too. Don't get discouraged about pumping. I never could get much out with a pump it doesn't mean your baby is not getting enough. As long as she is peeing pooping and growing i wouldn't worry about it.

Good luck