How many ounces do I feed my 3 week old breastfed son?

Question

my son is so small but i think he is not getting enough from me. at this stage i can only pump 2 ounces for the whole day on one breast. i tried having complete vitamins and healthy diet, i even take lactation vitamins but still the milk supply from my breast doesnt increase. i dont know if i am feeding my son fully and im worried...

Answer 1

What makes you think your baby isn't getting enough? If he has plenty of wet and dirty diapers, then he is getting plenty--if it's coming out, it must have gone in!! The fact is that *most* women who think they don't have enough milk have plenty--and a large number are actually producing *too much* milk.

A newborn needs to have at least 5 very wet diapers per day. To gauge if a diaper is "very wet" take a clean diaper, pour about 2 T. of water into it, then weigh it in your hands. That is considered "very wet" for a newborn. In addition, he should have at least 3 dirty diapers with a stain the size of a US quarter.

Not being able to pump--even getting *not a drop*--is *not* a sign that baby isn't getting enough. A baby is always more effective than any pump, and this is even *more* true when baby is very young (less than 2 months old) and/or you haven't been pumping daily at the same time for at least a full week.

How often are you pumping? If you are pumping *once* a day and getting 2 ounces, that is a *fantastic* amount!! If you are pumping 20 times a day and getting a total of 2 ounces, that is probably still a good sign, as many women get *nothing*. If you *are* only pumping once or twice a day, pumping 20 times a day will give you 10-20 times as much! Also, if you are pumping *after* baby nurses, that is a lot of milk no matter how many times a day you are pumping.

Do *not* force liquids. You need to drink enough *for you*, so drink if you are thirsty, don't if you're not. Forcing liquids will *not* help, and one study actually showed that drinking *more* than you need decreases your milk supply. Likewise, what you eat (or vitamins) will not increase or decrease your supply, nor will it change the quality of the milk (unless you have been eating a truly *horrendous* diet for several years or more).

Unless you have a hormonal problem (usually thyroid problem or PCOS) or have had breast (or chest) surgery at any time in the past, it is almost certain that you *can* nurse your baby. You just need the correct information and help.

If, after reading the above, you still think you have a problem, then please contact a local La Leche League Leader (see sources section below). She will be able to help you more because you can give her detailed information. Keep in mind that La Leche League Leaders are all volunteers working out of their own homes while raising their own families. If you don't get through on the first try, call again, or call a different Leader.

Answer 2

The amount you pump is NO indication of how much milk you are making, only how much you can pump. 2 ounces is more than I could get in a week when my baby was that age, and she was completely breastfed for almost 9 months (tried solids at six months and she wasn't interested). As long as you nurse every time your baby wants to (which is a LOT more than formual fed babies eat). Remember that your baby's tummy is very small and needs to be filled and emptied frequently. As long as he has lots of wet and dirty diapers a day you don't have to worry. Breastmilk is far better than formula even if you can't measure it in a bottle, there is just no comparison. I belong to a really great breastfeeding group here on yahoo.....email me if you're interested and I'll send you the link.

[e-mail]

They're a really great support!

Answer 3

Pumping is NOT an indicator of supply. Babies who are latched on correctly and nursing well are more efficient than even the very best breastpump. Some women just do not respond well to the pump too.

Have you had your child weighed? Is he gaining weight? What does his doctor say?

How often is he nursing? At 3 weeks, he is probably due for a growth spurt and it may seem that he wants to nurse all the time right now. That is NORMAL. Follow his cues and make sure you are nursing him *at least* every two hours. Some infants may want to nurse more often than that even and it's NORMAL at this age.

What you eat and what vitamins you take aren't as important as making sure you are nursing frequently enough. Breastfeeding is all supply and demand. Putting the baby to the breast is what is going to increase your supply. What makes you think you have a low supply?

Call your local La Leche League Leader for some one on one IRL help. http://www.lalecheleague.org to find one near you. Also check out http://www.kellymom.com for some great breastfeeding info.

Really need more info from you to help you figure out what (if anything) is going on here. Need to know baby's birth weight, lowest weight and any other weights that have been taken. Need to know how often you're nursing and how long. Need to know what makes you think baby isn't getting enough. Need to know how many wet and dirty diapers he is having per day. Please add more info and hopefully I can help you more.

Answer 4

Well I was told to let them eat as much as they want. 2 ounces for a 3 week old is not enough. He should have about 3-4 ounces every 30 minutes to an hour. And you might want to consider regular can or powder milk if you dont have a good milk supply..But if your baby still wants to breastfeed after he gets the bottle then still try because he needs your milk for his health.

Answer 5

You should drink at least 60 oz's of water each day, and try mother's milk tea, I have found this works well. I too have milk supply issues, and I augment each feeding with formula to make sure my son is getting what he needs. Each feeding should be about 4 oz or so. (I am rythempigs wife). Also, try out the La Leche League website, there you can find answers to all of your lactation concerns, and even talk with a lactation consultant if need be. Best of luck to you!

Answer 6

At age 1-3 months the average number of feedings in 24hrs is 6-8. At age 2-3 months the average QUANTITY taken in individual feedinng is 5-6 ounces.

Answer 7

A 3 week old should be taking in about 2 ounces every few hours. If you are truley worried that he is not getting enough then switch to formula. It is okay to bottlefeed..I did and my son turned out healthy.

Answer 8

probably better to see a lactation consultant rather than a doctor. They can come to your home and see if maybe your not sitting in a way that helps the baby feed. I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong, just that someone with an unbiased & professional opinion could suggest something better.

Answer 9

The more you put him to your breast, and the more you try to express, the more milk will come, don't give up on breastfeeding, bring him to the doctor to get him checked over to see if he's growing at a steady rate, better than worrying.

It can be very difficult in the first weeks, get your doctor or health visitor to check if you are connecting him correctly to the breast. Don't give up, breast feeding it a wonderful thing that makes you feel very close to your child. I know a few people that gave up because they where afraid their child wasn't getting enough milk, and have regretted it.

Answer 10

As much as he will eat, infants will not over eat. If you are not making enough milk, you will really need to consider formula. It was really hard for me because I was dead set on breast feeding and I was so against formula feeding. I eventually got over it and my son was satisfied with his feedings. He is very healthy, in fact he has only been sick once in the past 2 1/2 years. Sometimes we have to do what we have to and not all of us are meant to breast feed.