She is 7 mos old, and ever since she was about 5 months old she only nurses for about 5-7 minutes total, once my let down reflex occurs. She nurses 6-8 times in a 24hr period. She only wants to eat about 2oz of solids a day. She seems full and happy. Weighs 17 lbs and 28" long, so she is fine with her weight, ect. I suspect she is only getting about 2 ozs at each nursing, could i be right??
2007-02-21 08:02:16 · 10 answers · asked by Jesse R 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
if you have a breast pump try pumping to see how much comes out in a 6-8 minute feeding if your baby is growing and healthy i wouldn't be concerned, my daughter, at the age of one when i stopped nursing, she was only drinking 41/2 oz at every feeding, every baby is different, good luck
2007-02-21 08:07:27 · answer #1 · answered by MOT-XJ 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The only way to find out exactly is to do a pre and post feed weighing with a sensitive scale (either a Dr's office or a rental of a Medela BabyWeigh) As long as they have 5+ wet diapers in a 24 hr period and are gaining weight well, there is no reason to worry. A pump is NOT nearly as efficient as a baby that is effectively nursing. I can only pump 2.5 oz every 3 hrs, but my 6 mo old breastfed baby is growing well and is extremely satisfied and also only nurses 5 mins per side. I know she is getting more than I can pump.
2007-02-21 18:51:41 · answer #2 · answered by guard_girl21 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't compare the amount expressed when you use a pump with the amount your darling is nursing, babies are MUCH more efficient than the pump.
I would guess she is getting more than 2 oz if she is only eating every 3-4 hours and still gaining weight. Maybe between 3-6 ounces.
My daughter got really efficient around 5-6 months and the time she spent nursing dramatically decreased. As I am a believer in "on demand feeding" it really didn't matter to me as long as she was growing and happy.
So, did the doctor make a negative comment on the amount of time baby is feeding? My doc did and I ignored it, when your child is happy & healthy his opinion is just that, an opinion. And I really doubt he personally understands the whole nursing thing anyway!
2007-02-21 16:14:14 · answer #3 · answered by Gem 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Probably about 3 oz each feeding. A baby eats about 24 oz per day. Also the time they nurse changes as they become more or less efficient. So a younger baby may get 3 oz in 15 minutes and your baby may get the same in only 8.
2007-02-21 16:35:09 · answer #4 · answered by zzmama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 7 months old she is pretty good at feeding and so will get a large amount in a much shorter period of time than she did when she was smaller.
So in 7 minutes now she can get the same amount or more as she did in 25 minutes when she was little.
She will be getting more than 2oz at each feeding breast milk comes out pretty fast.
You don't really need to go by amounts though, if shes happy and weighs a normal amount then she is fine so don't worry!
2007-02-21 16:09:14 · answer #5 · answered by cigaro19 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Babies and Pumps are like apples and oranges...there's no comparing the two.
Your baby can get more milk from you in less time than any pump on the planet.
I can pump 4 to 5 ounces per breast in 6 minutes so I know he's getting at least that much ...so you never know...
My guy eats quick too and he's only 4 months today and he's 18 pounds 6 ounces and is 26 1/4 inches tall
If she is thriving and growing and seems healthy and happy...I'm sure she's getting enough milk from you. She'll let you know if she needs more...and if she doesn't...you'll see signs of it in her. Just pay attention to her behavior and growth and she'll be just fine mamma...no worries.
2007-02-21 17:34:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe yes, maybe no. Doesn't really matter, to be honest.
If your baby is happy and healthy, and wetting plenty of diapers, you have nothing to worry about. It sounds like your baby is very happy and healthy.
Remember that their stomachs are only the size of their fists. You probably couldn't fit more than a couple of ounces in her fist, right?
My babies BOTH were "power-nursers" -- nursing only 5-7 minutes per feeding -- but were both off the charts for both weight and height (at least they were proportional, right??) And they were very healthy.
By the way, you can't judge what she's getting by how much you can pump. Babies are so much more efficient than a pump, and it sounds like yours is no exception!
So I wouldn't worry so much about the length of time she's on the breast or even the amount you think she may be getting. She's fine!
2007-02-21 16:08:15 · answer #7 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
it is hard to say. my son only ate for 5 minuets every 4-5 hours. but then when i went to formula he was eating 6 oz. you cant just pump for the same amount of time and expect that is how much she is getting. babies are more proficient eaters than any pump can get out. if she is gaining weight and having enough wet diapers i would think she is fine
2007-02-21 16:21:33 · answer #8 · answered by jjsoccer_18 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with what Calliope said, as well as a few others. I'd like to add that there is a way to find out exactly how much she's taking in. You could weigh her just before a feeding and then just after. You'll need a scale that will be that sensitive, like in your pediatrician's office.
Congrats on breastfeeding!
2007-02-21 16:44:51 · answer #9 · answered by Mommy...LT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its really hard to say ...at her age she is better at getting milk out of you than she was as a newborn.....but I agree with Calliope ....who cares how many ounces she is getting? she is fat and happy thats ALL that matters!
2007-02-21 19:34:22 · answer #10 · answered by motherhendoulas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋