Baby Eating Enough?

by Kristin

My 9 week old is breastfed but takes a bottle with pumped milk 1x during the night -but only 2 oz from the bottle. She is gaining about 1/2 oz. per day.

Her dr. says she should take 4-5 oz from a bottle at each feed but I can't imagine her getting that much down. She is on prevacid for reflux.

Does this sound normal? She is not fussy and does not seem hungry.

thanks- Kristin

Baby Help Line Response:

Hi Kristin!

Is your daughter gaining weight as she should? If she is, then I can't understand why her your doctor wants her to drink more.

It is funny, when you only breastfeed, there is no way to know how much a baby actually drinks - or at least noone weighs babies before and after the feeding anymore. Instead you look at their weight gain, whether they wet their diapers and if they seem content.

The minute a baby is transferred to bottle feeding, the amount the little child drinks is on the top of the agenda.

Trust your daughter! If she seems to be content, she probably is! And if her weight gain is poor, try feeding her somewhat more often in the morning and before lunch, when your milk contains the most fat. Also make sure she really empties one breast before switching to the next. And of course, discuss it with her doctor if you're worried.

I wish you good luck!

/Paula


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