• Week by Week
  • Sex and Pregnancy
  • Weight Gain
  • Exercise and Nutrition

New to the forum? Sign Up Here!

Already a member? Please login below.

Forgot your password? Need Help?  
Learn and Discuss About...

Bottle Feeding Breast Milk??

3 posts on this thread and the last post was on September 23rd, 2005 10:01 PM
There are currently 4863 members logged in.
K - September 9th, 2005 11:03 PM
[Original Post]

My daughter is 4 days old and from birth she is not latching on she just throws a fit. The nurse said that my nipples are kind of flat and that it is a little harder for her to latch on so to try different positions which I have and no success. She had jaundice and so we had to give her formula and I also pumped milk and bottle fed it to her and she liked it alot. I guess my question is first is expressing breast milk and feeding it to her by bottle ok and if so how many ounces should she average in a feeding? Also should I also be supplementing with formula and how much?


Jenn... - September 9th, 2005 11:19 PM

You can do it! I know how hard breastfeeding can be in the beginning, but it does get MUCH easier. I think many women on this site would agree that exclusive pumping is a lot of work and would much rather have the baby directly breastfeeding. It sounds like the nurse at your hospital was as helpful as mine in BF - nilch! Anyhow, if you want to breastfeed and are feeling unable I would recommened contacting a lactation consultant. They are such a huge help! I would not have gotten through the beginning without mine. Here is a site where you can search for one in your area http://gotwww.net/ilca/ Good Luck!


C - September 9th, 2005 11:31 PM

I had the same exact problem. My son wouldn't latch on and he had jaundice. His weight went down so fast and I got really nervous. I was given a nipple shield by a nurse and without that I would have quit breastfeeding. I was told not to use it but he would not latch on for anything. He'd latch on when someone was helping me and the next time he'd just scream bloody murder. My milk did not come in until day 5 and that was after I pumped (had not b4 then). I also gave him some formula that day too because I was so nervous he'd get too sick. After that I only gave him bottles when we'd leave the house because I found he'd breastfeed for an hour at a time and I didn't want to be stuck at a store breastfeeding. I let my son feed on demand. Even with bottles I let him decide if he was still hungry and when. I stressed myself out worrying that he was eating too much. I asked his doctor and he said I was feeding him in the right range. Start with a 2 oz. bottle and if she doesn't spit it up, and is screaming for more, give her another 2 oz. For awhile my son could eat 5-6 oz. but now he stops at 4 oz (he's 4.5 months now). I think I read somewhere that they should eat about 2 oz. per pound and that tops off between 30-40 oz. Don't quote me on that. I'm guessing your daughter needs about 20 oz. per day. If you do try breastfeeding again, don't get discouraged if she eats constantly. She's just working on building your milk supply and mastering the art. It gets a ton easier as time goes by. I try to give my son the least amount of formula as possible. Besides being better for him, breast milk is free!!!! I'm sure you have a follow up appointment soon so talk to her doctor and it'll help put your mind at ease.


Becky - September 23rd, 2005 10:01 PM

I'm pumping breastmilk, and my son is approx 6 weeks old. I plan to pump at least one year, if not longer. Pumping has not been too bad. I have the Medela In Style pump (double electric) and it works great. My son was 5lbs 13oz at birth, and everyone was worried about him gaining weight, so he was fed (soy, by my request) formula from birth until my milk came in a few days later. I don't know if it was the best course of action for him as regarding breastfeeding (I also have flat nipples and now my son won't directly breastfeed), but he is growing in leaps and bounds, and is happy and healthy. Feel good about giving your baby breastmilk! Try not to supplement with formula...if you increase the number of times you pump in a 24hr period, your milk supply should also increase. You'll find the right balance.
My son, at 6 weeks, is eating anywhere between 1.5 and 2 oz per feed. At one point, he was downing more than that, but now things have evened out. Let your baby be your guide -- if he's hungry, feed him until he's not hungry.