How much EBM do I need?

[chipsticksmammy]

hi

this might be a stupid question, but i know i'll get an honest answer on MN

I have to leave DD for a few hours on Friday and she will no doubt need a feed. I just have no idea how much to express and leave!

She is 5 weeks old and usually takes one breast at a feed, but how do I translate that into ozs/ml?

Any thoughts / help / guidance would be much appreciated.

[worriedamy]

The way my mum told me they work it out (she is a children's nurse) is that you times the baby's weight in kilos by 150. So if the baby weighs 5kg, then this gives you 750mls. Then you divide this by how many feeds the baby usually has in 24 hrs. This should give you the amount you will need for a feed (in mls!). Obviously, if I was you, I would maybe do an oz or two more just to be on the safe side!!

Hope this helps!!

[cfc]

It's not a stupid question.

I left my little one with 400mls of EBM when I went out for the afternoon. I know that he was due his 2.15 feed when I was away and thought that would be enough plus more in case mother had to make more up as obviously she couldn't re-heat any he didn't take. I thought let him have 200mls and see how much of that he took. At 6 weeks it was 150mls or thereabouts. But there is the proper way to calculate though it's hard when you don't know how often baby feeds!!

[ParanoidAtAllTimes]

I would express more than you think you'll need (say 6oz) and separate it into several bottles, eg 2oz in each. That way if your DD only takes a small amount the rest isn't wasted

kellymom.com has more on this.

[cfc]

It's not a stupid question.

I left my little one with 400mls of EBM when I went out for the afternoon. I know that he was due his 2.15 feed when I was away and thought that would be enough plus more in case mother had to make more up as obviously she couldn't re-heat any he didn't take. I thought let him have 200mls and see how much of that he took. At 6 weeks it was 150mls or thereabouts. But there is the proper way to calculate though it's hard when you don't know how often baby feeds!!

[chipsticksmammy]

Thanks, I've expressed three times now and will try to get another together.

I'm leaving her with my mum, so will make sure its in little amounts so none goes to waste if its out more than an hour.

I just have visions of having to race home in the car with my boob coming out as I walk in the front door