My newborn eats at least 5 oz. of breastmilk every 2-3 hours and...?

Question

she's only 8 days old!! I'm pumping breastmilk (we failed to get a proper latch) and I'm having a heck of a time keeping up with her...so we're topping off some of the feedings with formula (about a 1/4 oz when needed). Is it normal for her to eat this much?? BTW-she was 9 lbs, 7 oz when born...if that has anything to do with it.

Also...she has explosive diarrea (not sure how to spell that). Is that normal? What can I do for her?

I called her doctor and I'm just waiting for him to call me back. I would just like some info from experienced moms as well.

Thanks!!
Mandy - Proud first-time mommy

Answer 1

Oh boy! Babies can eat, can't they! Since you are pumping then you are not getting as much milk out as she would if she were doing it herself. I would just keep up what you are doing or feed her more often. My son had to be breastfed every 1.5 hours.
The poop is normal, not diahrrea. Breastfed babies produce very loose stools very often. Don't worry, it'll harden up when she eats solids (the formula may also balance that out a bit, too).
I'd also like to thank the jerks for the unnecessary nasty comments. It is a fact of life that new mommies (and daddies) become poop obsessed. It is one way to determine the health of our children.

Answer 2

That is very normal for her size. The bigger the baby the more the baby needs at a feeding. The diaper thing is correct also. She should have 7-8 stools a day and usually with each feeding. Maybe she will have one even after. I breastfed all of mine,I have 7 living children. I used to feed on one side for 15-20 minutes then I would change and burp if needed,usually they dont need to burp when breastfed, then I would feed on the other side for as long as the baby wanted to. With being a first time mom, you worry about everything, but this is totally normal.

Answer 3

Congratulations Mandy.. I had a big baby too.. and she ate a lot as well as yours. The diarrhea is normal the first few weeks.. just kinds runny, it will be that way for a bit. Its OK for her to go often too, since she is eating often. Props to sticking with breast milk, even if you have to pump. What little you can give her is better than none at all.

Also.. if you are interested.. there is a nipple devise you can place on your nipple, to make it easier for a baby to latch. I was only able to find it at Target when my son had a hard time latching. It pulls the nipple into the mouth, through the device over your nipple.. kind of like the baby is sucking a bottle. Works very well.

Answer 4

I don't know about the food amounts because I breastfed, but I KNOW FOR SURE you need to worry about the diarrhea. Seriously - get the baby in to the doc ASAP. My 3 week old had diarrhea for 1 day and got seriously dehydrated and was hospitalized. I am not stupid and I am an extremely attentive mom. I just didn't know that diarrhea was such a big deal, and I wasn't that used to what infant poops were supposed to be like. I was terrified in the hospital. He had to have IV fluid. I know other people will tell you not to worry, but I just went through this. Diarrhea in a child under 3 months is very serious. Their electrolytes get messed up very easy. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 5

I am the mother of a "super-pooper" as well. Everytime he pooped it would come right up and out the back of his pants. Young baby poop is pretty runny. I would say if your baby keeps eating, then she's just plain hungry. Breast milk does not hold a baby as long as formula, so you just have to feed her often. My son was the same. It seemed as though I was breast feeding him constantly (and pumping also). Keep working on the latch, she'll get it eventually. Also try holding her in different positions while nursing--it might be easier for her to latch on. Good Luck and hang in there, because it is not always easy. Congratulations!

Answer 6

My second son came out eating 8-10 OZ of breast milk and I had another child only 11 months old. I had to just stop breastfeeding, I couldn't make enough for him and he was losing weight and the wonderful nurse said that breastfeeding isn't for every baby, you should if you can, but as long as you feed with love and affection it doesn't matter if it is in the best intrests of the baby.
The diarreah could be from teh breastmilk and some newborns just have it as their little bodies adjust, don't worry and just enjoy your little one.
Oh and add cereal, it won't hurt I PROMISE all 3 of my boys were eating off the spoon by 3 months and had cereal in the bottle from the first day home. Just get a nipple and make a tiny bit bigger hole and make sure the milk is still very runny, it doesn't take much.

Answer 7

All sounds very normal. She's eating a good amount. Babies won't overeat, so if she is hungry then feed her. Listen to her Q's, she'll let you know what she needs. Breastfed baby always have loud explosive sounding bowel movements as well. It's very normal. My daughter is 7 months, and still breastfed. She hasn't started solids yet and whenever she poops everyone knows. It shoots out the top and back of her diaper. My son was the same way. Totally normal. Congratulations on your little one!!

Answer 8

The amount of breast milk sounds about average for that age. Once you start supplementing your supply of breast milk will go down so I would be careful with doing that. Her diarrhea may have something to do wtih the formula. But it is unusual for an infant that age to have diarrhea. Breast fed newborns have loose stools which are normally yellow in color and have white cottage cheese looking particals in it. When they eat is normally when they poop and since she is eating every 2 hours, she is going to poop every 2 hours most likely. If the infant is on formula the stools may be harder because of the amount of iron in the formula or when the baby goes on solids.

Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 9

Don't worry, thats normal. I will suggest though,getting something called a nipple shield, it will help the baby latch, and you won't have to mess with bottles and pumping so much. I had issues breastfeeding, and latching and engourgment, all that fun stuff. I got one of those, and it was a godsend!!

Answer 10

My baby did that also--and was also 9 lbs at birth. She gained lbs and grew--has nothing to do with it. Don't start adding cereal without talking to your pediatrician--you don't want allergies! Resign yourself to frequent feedings for a few months. She is absolutely fine--buy diapers with the tightest fitting legs you can find and carry spare outfits! Be prepared at all times!