How much breast milk is needed?

[Reddy01]

If my baby is meant to have 120ml of formula is that the same as breast milk if it is pumped? I read somewhere that breast milk changes as they age and you don't have to increase how much you give them but is that for breast fed babies only and not milk that is pumped from the breast?

It's not really comparable, typically babies would need less breast milk than formula.

Are you thinking of switching from one to the other? Or are you wondering how much expressed milk you'd need to give?

Not comparable, breast fed babies feed little and often

Are you trying to exclusively pump for baby? If so, I'd recommend getting some advice from a BF helper in your area as it can be tricky.

I am not exclusively expressing as I cannot get enough for her feeds so we top up with formula at night time (2 feeds). I cannot breast feed as had bad nipple trauma that took weeks to heal and I had an op on my other breast which removed a lot of ducts sadly. She also won't latch now due to nipple confusion probably. I have asked for referral and contacted myself but after 5 weeks they won't see me now since I'm not feeding from the breast. That's the feeding team too not just the breast team. Basically the support here is terrible. I just wondered if she does not latch but I express does she still get the same amount as what a formula fed baby would?

That sounds hard, I’m sorry to hear.
I don’t think it’s comparable because even if you have the same volume of each milk (breast and formula) they are not exactly equal in terms of how filling they are due to differences in composition. Does your baby seem as full after expressed milk vs same amount of formula?

The lack of support for new Mums in this Country is truly criminal.

I think that you need to talk ok of this through with a BFC on one of the BFing Helplines.

She will not only be able to talk to you about quantities but also what you've been through so far and how you're feeling.

It really is best to talk to a BFC as between 6 weeks and 6 months a EBF baby will take around 25 floz/730 ml a day, however much they weigh, whereas a FF baby will need around 150 mls per day per kilo.

BF babies, whether that's directly or expressed, simply don't need the same volume that a FF baby would so there's no need to worry they LO isn't getting the amount recommended on the formula carton

The BFC will be able to work out how much they need if you are topping up.

Have a read of How much BM will my baby need?

And Weaning from formula top-ups, not because I think you should but because it contains some useful information

@TinyMouseTheatre thank you very much for those! I'll have a read shortly. I did think it was maybe less than formula fed babies but everyone keeps telling me I should feed her more and that I'm feeding her wrong 😡.

I do paced bottle feeding and have done since the beginning when she still latched to the breast. Family keeps telling me that it's giving her too much wind by the bottle not being fully up but I think wind will be there regardless.

I feed her 120ml formula at night and then 100-110ml of breast milk through the day. I'll feed on demand but normally she never gives cues for more and sometimes she will take a less but I'll try to have more in the next feed if she needs.

She's been following the percentile curve and she always does pees and poos (sometimes more poos with the breast milk) so I don't see what the issue is but I'm also not sure if I'm over or under feeding her breast milk. I don't want to keep increasing it like family says I should do.

I do hope in the weeks to come I can wean off the formula 🤞

@Lighttodark yes baby pretty much always full but I guess I could give her more if needed. When it comes to feeding I feel she's very easy. She lost a lot of weight on the boob and never really complained. She can take the milk hot or cold and from any bottle really also. She never cries for more but if I were to stop half way through and stick a dummy in she'd also settle so not that easy to tell. I have just been assuming that if she is following the percentile and active and healthy otherwise then it must be right? Can you tell I'm a FTM?! 🤣

It's difficult isn't it when family have opinions on how you feed your baby.

Are they all fully trained BFCs or Lactation Consultants? If not o woukd just smile and ignore their "advice".

Did you manage to call one of the Helplines? I think you would probably find it useful

Just wondering too if your LO has ever been checked for Tongue Tie?

In your situation I'd give the same amount as she takes in a formula bottle. That's the volume she'll be used to and will satisfy her hunger. It may be different for a baby feeding exclusively from the breast but they're different and you can't really know what a breastfed baby is taking. If she doesn't want it all she just won't finish it and you can put it in her bath.

Sounds like you're doing a banging job as it is so don't stress to much, easier said than done. Family always chat alot of shit and tell you what you're doing wrong "I'm her mum, I think I know her better than you."

@Reddy01 do you go to any of your local BFing Support Groupss* too? There will be a mix of Mums who BF, express and Combi feed usually

I think you are doing a great job. Babies following their percentile line and growing at the expected rate. You are doing amazing.

Pumping is tricky and time consumingIni found it hard work. In the first 12 weeks you should be pumping every 2-3 hours and at least twice overnight. After 12 weeks evey 4 hours and once overnight.

What pump have you got?

Hi there it's a midwife with experience of supporting breastfeeding groups. If your baby is following the percentile, peeing and pooing and settling after feeds you are doing a great job. Paced feeding is absolutely the way to go and every drop of breast milk counts. You are doing an incredible job. If I was to give any advice at all it would be to encourage you to pump once between midnight and 6 am. This is the time when the woman's milk hormone levels at the highest