How do you estimate how much milk for breastfed babies??

I am breastfeeding about every 3 hrs for my almost 3 week old. Also, I pump 2 x a day too. This is so I can have DH do the night /early AM shift.

How do I know how much to give her in the bottle for the early AM shift?

We have been giving her about 3- 3.5oz in the bottle twice a day. She always finishes everything, so do I continue to leave it at that amount??? And she falls fast asleep after, so I assume she is satisfied.

When do I try to increase it?

Message edited 1/9/2011 8:47:45 AM.

Re: How do you estimate how much milk for breastfed babies??

Kellymom.com has a calculator but I find it on the less side. La leche says 2.5 oz per pound of weight divided by how many feedings. I asked my ped too (since dd finishes off both of those calculations) and he said to give her"as much as she'll take" and she should never drain a bottle,... Not sure how I feel about that either lol.

Re: How do you estimate how much milk for breastfed babies??

You would basically watch for her to show signs that she's no longer satisfied (still acting hungry afterwards, trying to continue sucking after its all gone, asking to be fed sooner for the next feeding). Then try increasing by a half ounce until she no longer seems satisfied with that, and increase another half ounce, and so on.

Re: How do you estimate how much milk for breastfed babies??

Give as much as she will drink. Mine drank different amounts different times of the day... So calculations would not have worked for me.

Re: How do you estimate how much milk for breastfed babies??