How much formula to feed 4 week old baby? (She gets breatstmilk too)?

Question

I was breastfeeding exclusivly for 3 weeks but she didnt seem to ever get enough (because she always falls asleep after 5 min of nursing and also perhaps because I am under alot of stress) so I started giving her some bottles...2 or 3 per day. It seemed to really help her finally feel full for a few hrs at a time

Because 'breastfeeding on demand' is what we are used to...I dont know how much formula to give her (shes about 10 lbs now) per feeding or per day because I dont know how much breast milk she is actually getting.

Can she over stuff herself? Is 4 oz enough? is 6 oz too much? What is the best way to combine breast and bottle? Feed either/or at set times during the day? Offer breast and then bottle each feeding?

...its so confusing to know what to do...I dont want to overfeed her yet half the time I dont even know if its 'feeding time' yet??? 2 hrs 4 hrs? breast? bottle?

any advice?

Answer 1

Please consider joining your local La Leche League and get some support with breastfeeding. It will be easier than switching back and forth in the long run, and healthier.

My son has never nursed longer than 5 minutes since we worked out our latch issues and he was 20lbs at 4 months, so I assure you he was getting enough.

Also breastmilk digests in 90 minutes, you can't expect a breastfed baby to go as long as a formula fed baby between feedings. And remember it is the breastfed baby that is normal.

Adding formula can very quickly cause you to loose your supply, and many women find it heartbreaking to give up nursing all together. Or if they do give up formula it is an uphill battle rebuilding their supply.

Please look into getting the support you need, I think that will be far better for both of you in the long run. I am NOT saying you are a bad mom if you do formula feed some or all of the time. However I know, sadly, many women have never been around breastfed babies so they just don't know what a breastfed baby acts like so they start messing around with something that is working perfectly.

The La Leche League website:
http://llli.org/WebUS.html
(Change the country in the upper right if you are not American)

Another great website:
http://kellymom.com/

Is your milk supply really low?
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#supply



About supplimenting with some guidelines to help you:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVAugSep99p75.html

Answer 2

I'm sure the baby was getting enough on breast milk alone. I went to a nursing class and they said if the baby falls asleep at the breast to gently wake the baby so they can continue nursing. They need to nurse at least 15 minutes (the 1st 10 or so minutes it's more like skim milk and the last 5 or so minutes it's more like cream). Basically if you stop feeding after 5 minutes, the baby's not getting what he/she needs. I think you should talk with your doctor or your pediatrician and see what they say. If you baby is gaining weight like he/she is supposed to then you are ok! Also look at how many wet diapers and how many dirty diapers the baby is making.

Try this link for more info

http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/faq_baby_enough.html

From breastfeeding.com: During the first few weeks of life, babies often fall asleep at the breast when the flow of milk slows down even if they have not had their fill. When they are older (4-6 weeks of age), they no longer are content to fall asleep, but rather start to pull away or get upset. The milk supply has not changed; the baby has Compress the breast (see Breast Compression) to increase flow.

Please Note: On occasion, it may be necessary to supplement a baby who is breastfeeding. If this is done by bottle, a bad situation may become worse. A lactation aid is a method of supplementing without giving a bottle and may allow you to supplement temporarily and get back to exclusive breastfeeding. It is generally easy to use. In an "emergency" situation, extra fluid can be given by spoon, cup or eyedropper until a lactation aid can be started.

Answer 3

At 4 weeks I was doing both (I had low milk production because of a breast reduction). I would start each feeding with nursing, then supplement with about 2 oz of formula. Feedings were about 3 hours apart. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

All babies are different, but maybe your baby is having some other issues like gas pain or colic? Seems alot for a month old baby to be eating every couple hrs. Try a warm cloth to the tummy and rock her/him to sleep with a pacifier instead of feeding every time it's awake. It should have this amount every 3-4 hrs, if it's before that then try something else. Warm bath, then swaddle and hold for a bit. You could try the gas aid drops and the warm cloth, as well as bicycle type movements of the legs to help.

Answer 5

If she falls asleep on he breast(my kid did too) try waking her gently by tickling her cheek or rubbing her head with a cool damp cloth. If you're still worried about how much she's getting ask the doctor. He/she can tell you how long and how often they should feed and how to tell if they are getting what they need from the milk. Her one month appointment should be soon. Ask then.

Answer 6

Every 3 hours or when hungry about 4 to 6 oz . depending on baby appetite.