How much to feed my baby???

[mabel12345]

We have a problem with slow weight gain, I also have low milk supply so we’ve been on a feeding plan for weeks now (360ml top ups per 24h). There is not much improvement, the weigh is still stable and baby seems to be hungry after every top up. It’s heartbreaking seeing my baby wanting more, clearly being hungry but only being able to give her so much? I really don’t want any more paediatrician appointments, blood checks and unwanted stress, I decided to go “against” advice and started to give her 4/5 oz bottles every 3,4 hours on top of breastfeeding. She never refuses a bottle, we are pace feeding too. Just a few minutes ago she threw up a massive amount of milk, almost like an adult. I feel absolutely deflated as I just don’t know how much to feed her ? Can’t seems to get it right it’s either too little or too much, how do I know how much she needs ? My milk supply in a day is very low, I can only express around 20ml every 4 hours and I know that it’s an indication of my supply as at night I’m able to express 100ml. I want to combi feed but I just don’t know how 😢 I had no idea infant feeding will be so difficult…

No idea !

Just posting to bump your question up.

Hang in there

I had a low supply too at the beginning, and LO had a tongue tie. There were a few days my husband overfed the baby, resulting in several vomits. I know that really hurts to watch. We consulted a maternity nurse and got a feeding plan - 3 week old baby, 90-120ml every 3 hours. I didn't breastfeed at all, only to pump all my milk, serve in bottles and top up with formula. It worked quite well for a while.

Now I'm trying to start breastfeeding. I do 10-15' breastfeeding at the beginning of each feeding session, and then prepare the same amount of bottle top up. LO sometimes takes all 120ml, sometimes takes 50, 70. I'm hoping gradually we can get rid of bottles.

To sum up, if you are really feeling defeated, maybe try bottle feed everything (expressed breastmilk, formula top up). But keep in mind that doing so may "spoil" your baby, as it's a lot easier to suck from a bottle than from breasts - they may struggle to get back to breastfeeding (what I'm training him to do now). And definitely keep doing the pace feeding.

Also, sometimes baby just want a cuddle after feeding, no necessary still hungry. If you think they had enough, perhaps give a dummy. Have they had enough? Check how many wet nappies a day besides taking notes of the weight gain.

could you use a supplemental nursing system ? (SNS) so she gets more milk while breastfeeding and your supply may be able to increase.

Definitely recommend the SNS.
Also that’s very strange top up advice, you are doing exactly the right thing, give her as much milk as she wants. Sometimes she may throw up but that’s because it’s new to her. If she continues to do so every time then it might need checking out but generally the advice should be not to restrict. If she’s hungry give her more. If you’re not sure burp her, hold her, try other things and if it doesn’t work feed her.

If she's hungry you feed her. If she wants more after feeding then give her more. Maybe feed smaller amounts more often. If she needs to gain weight then why would you limit the amount you are offering?