Feeding a newborn - question! - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

KeltoKel · 12-06-2006, 02:06 PM

How do you know when to increase formula for a newborn? My son is 1 month old. I read that at one month, they can start to eat 4 oz. of formula.

He gets an ounce of breast milk from me and then 2 oz. in formula. (I have to supplement) Is it time to up his intake of formula now that he is one month old?

debating · 12-06-2006, 02:38 PM

Unless you have a little lines on your breasts, I don't know how you know he only gets one ounce from you.

But, when I supplemented my daughter what I did was feed her for as long as she wanted on the breast. I did NOT pull her off while she was sucking, even if it had been 45 minutes. I also make several 1 and 2 ounce bottles of formula, and kept them premixed in the fridge. I would offer a 2 ounce bottle after she nursed, and if she was still hungry I would offer another 1 ounce bottle. It saved a lot of waste, and it still kept in line with my "feed on demand" theory.

Watch the baby, not the ounces (or the calender - age). If your baby is having plenty of wet diapers (5-6 per day) then he is getting enough. If he is content, then he is getting enough.

To this day, at almost 9 months old, my daughter has never drank more then 3 ounces from a bottle. Usually only 2. Breastfed babies are accustomed to drinking less more frequently, which is actually healthier for their digestive system then guzzling a 6 ounce bottle all at once.

KeltoKel · 12-06-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North_of_60

Unless you have a little lines on your breasts, I don't know how you know he only gets one ounce from you..

OUCH! I know because I pump every day to test how much I am producing.
Please don't treat me like I have no idea what I am doing or talking about. Not everything is so cut and dry with breast feeding and not everyone has the same experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by North_of_60

But, when I supplemented my daughter what I did was feed her for as long as she wanted on the breast. I did NOT pull her off while she was sucking, even if it had been 45 minutes. I also make several 1 and 2 ounce bottles of formula, and kept them premixed in the fridge. I would offer a 2 ounce bottle after she nursed, and if she was still hungry I would offer another 1 ounce bottle. It saved a lot of waste, and it still kept in line with my "feed on demand" theory.

I NEVER pull off my son. He nurses for 30-40 minute and then comes off on his own. He is not content and needs to more to eat - smacking his lips and crying b/c he is hungry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by North_of_60

Watch the baby, not the ounces (or the calender - age). If your baby is having plenty of wet diapers (5-6 per day) then he is getting enough. If he is content, then he is getting enough.

I disagree. Bottle fed babies need an increase in formula at certain ages. My milk supply is not increasing. I have to depend on the bottle and not my breasts. I have noticed that my son is going shorter in between feedings - which is why I asked the original question.

I am going back to work in February and my son will have to use the bottle even more since I am not able to pump and store. It is very important for me to know how much he needs and is eating.

KeltoKel · 12-06-2006, 06:51 PM

Well, when the lactation consultant came to my home and weighed DS before and after his feeding, the scale indicated he was getting an ounce as well. I know he is not getting much breast milk, but at least he is getting something.

He is growing just fine - from 7 lb. 6 oz. to 9 lbs. in three weeks. However, he only really has one poopy diaper a day - plenty of wet ones.

I do write everything down - all my feedings. If I don't, I can't remember when I fed him last! My mind is just so tired that I can't remember a thing anymore!
It is hard for me to just go by his command b/c he is rather fussy at times. I was just feeding him to quiet him down instead of trying to calm him. I just assumed he was hungry. Now, I am making more of an effort to calm him and to keep him occupied.

debating · 12-06-2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeltoKel

I was just feeding him to quiet him down instead of trying to calm him. I just assumed he was hungry. Now, I am making more of an effort to calm him and to keep him occupied.

Nursing is such a form of comfort, there is nothing wrong with putting him to the breast to sooth him. In fact, it can help your supply. Crying is stressful, for both adults and babies. It raises cortisol levels. When we nurse we naturally produce stress relieving hormones, which helps us to have good let downs and produce milk.

My little secret - I use nursing to put me to sleep. I had problems falling asleep, I was just way to wound up to relax, and by the time I did fall asleep she was waking up. It was a PIA. Now it puts me to sleep. As soon as I get a let down I feel that "wave" wash over me. I have to keep myself awake long enough to roll her over (we co-sleep) before I fall asleep.

Come to think of it, the last few times I've tried to take a nap without her I couldn't fall asleep. Everyone jokes about baby's becoming dependent on nursing to fall asleep.. but what about the mama's? LOL!!