breast milk vs. formula, reguarding quantity?

Question

as per my last question i am concerned if my son is getting enough to eat, he usually gets around 15 ounces a day, weighs 8 pounds, he has two doctors, one says i need to get him eating 20 ounces a day, and the other says he should be fine as long as he says over 12 or so ounces a day,
i'm so confused! i breastfeed but use a bottle because he has a cleft palate and cannot latch properly.
my question now is, is it normal for breatfed babies to eat less then formula fed babies??

I pump much more then he actually eats..

Answer 1

Breastmilk is very different from formula and the baby doesn't need as much. Breastmilk is perfect for your baby and changes as your baby grows, where formula is always the same. Here's a helpful site to help you know how much to give your baby: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

Answer 2

Breast Milk Quantity

Answer 3

Yes, it's normal for a breastmilk fed baby to need less than a formula fed baby. A breastfed baby normally consumes about 28 ounces of his mother's milk a day (and this amount doesn't change significantly from the time mom's milk "comes in" until the baby begins solids and starts replacing milk with other foods). Your son might need less due to his weight or health. The best guide to how much is your son! Offer him a bottle when he shows hunger cues and let him choose when to be finished. It's normal for a breastfed baby to take 2-4 ounces every 2-3 hours. As long as he continues to gain weight well(his doctors can help you ensure his weight gain is adequate), you'll know he's getting plenty of your milk. Are you struggling to pump enough milk? For many reasons, mothers give their babies expressed human milk. There are groups of mothers who are pumping for their babies and connecting with them can be so helpful.

Answer 4

I'm sure. Formula is a good imitation, but it's not exactly the same as breast milk. Your child could be getting more, which is why he's eating less. If he seems fine and healthy, I don't see the problem.

Answer 5

Every baby is different, and your going to hear lots of advice from different people. The thing I have learned being a mother is that as long as the baby is growing and gaining an adequate amount of weight, he or she is fine. If your concerned, then talk to your child's pediatrician.

Answer 6

breast fed babies may take smaller amounts ... but they need milk more frequently ... formula is more thicker and hence with formula they dont need milk again and again.