BTDT BF Mom's

My SIL just had her second DC. she is FF. I was there when she was feeding him and I asked her how many ounces he was eating now. She told me and then she asked me, how would I know how many ounces I would feeding my LO since I plan to BF. She said that her DD will eat 6 ounces now but he will stop eating in between, take a break, and resume like 5 minutes later.

I have no idea how to answer her question. I thought i twas a good question and am hoping its something you ladies can help me out with.

Like, do you let your LO feed and when they are done, you offer your breast again to see if they want more, just in case? Do you ever really know (like in ounces) how much they have eaten? Is it not measured this way when you are BF?

Thanks so much!

Re: BTDT BF Mom's

I BF DD on demand. I'd offer at least every 3 hours or more often if she seemed fussy and I knew it wasn't due to a dirty diaper or wanting to be held, etc. If she wanted to eat, I let her. She did "graze" a lot and have little snacks instead of full on nursing sessions.

It's true, with a BF baby you don't know exactly how many oz they're taking in. That's why it's especially important to make sure they're having enough wet/dirty diapers and to monitor weight gain.

Re: BTDT BF Mom's

I EBF'd my DS. He would nurse on one side and then when he unlatched, I would offer up the other side. It's true that I had no idea how many ounces he was drinking - but you can monitor wet/poop diapers and weight gain. It was never an issue - only when I went back to work and had to pump, it was a little confusing to direct others about how many ounces.

Re: BTDT BF Mom's

Re: BTDT BF Mom's

Like the PPs said, you won't know exactly, but they will certainly let you know when they are hungry and when they are done. And you monitor the dirty diapers. Plus your boobs will be very full and heavy before they feed, and you will know when they have been emptied.

When you start to pump you will also get an idea of how much you are pumping from each side, and that will give you an idea of of what the baby is getting (the baby is better at sucking than the pump).

When you give bottles of BM, you just start small (so as to not waste any liquid gold!) and if they cry when they finish the bottle then add another ounce at a time until they are done.

Re: BTDT BF Mom's

I BF both my boys on demand which was usually between 2 to 3 hours. They had one side, I burped and offer the other side. DS#1 always took from both DS #2 usually only from 1. Then I would pump the other and I could see about how many oz I was producing.

If you plan on BF you can't worry about ounces, there's no way to measure it unless you pump. Your child will let you know if they are hungry. If they are being fed well they will have many diaper changes.

Re: BTDT BF Mom's

BTDT BF Mom's

if you really really really wanna know, you can do a before and after weight check. weight the baby plus a dry diaper before a feeding, nurse, then weigh the baby afterwards. it's what a lactation consultant did for me when i was struggling with my supply w allison and she wanted to know how much she was truly getting from me. turned out to be like 4oz i think? that was at 3 weeks. she was def efficient!