Nursing vs bottle feeding: timing question

DD exclusively gets breast milk - when she's with me I always nurse her and when she's with my mom during the day when I'm at work she gets pumped bottles. DD is 11 weeks old. When I feed her (nurse her) she drinks quickly. Within ten minutes on one breast she is finished and very happy. Within two hours, she wants to eat again. When she is with my mom she drinks 4 oz every two and half to three hours and my mom says it takes her at least 30 minutes to finish the bottle.

Is it possible that she is getting the same amount during each feeding (whether she's being nursed or bottle fed)? I'm nervous that when she nurses she's not drinking as much because she only wants to nurse for ten minutes. Can she be faster at nursing than she is with a bottle? I had the slow nipples in for her bottles but today I'm changing to the fast.

Also, I don't know if this matters but when I pump I get roughly 4+ ounces in under ten minutes - would this mean she is drinking about the same in that amount of time?

She's gaining very well - my ped. is very happy - but I just want to make sure she's getting as much as she should when I nurse her.

If you made it through reading all of this and you can offer advice, I'd appreciate it very much!

Message edited 5/31/2011 12:47:48 PM.

Re: Nursing vs bottle feeding: timing question

For the bottle, yes its normal to take longer. Babies are drink faster from the breast. I would move up a nipple size if you want, she'll finish the bottles faster.
My DD went from taking 30 mins to 10 mins when I switched.

I think if shes getting 4oz. in a bottle and is happy she is probably getting the same while nursing.

If she is gaining weight you are doing something right, keep going, your doing great.

Re: Nursing vs bottle feeding: timing question

Thanks! Does anyone else want to offer any advice...

Re: Nursing vs bottle feeding: timing question

I FF but just from what you're saying, it sounds like she is definitely ready for the next nipple size on the bottles.

Which bottles are you using?

We had been using the playtex ventaire and switched from the slow-flow to medium-flow nipples and they were good for her for about a week (she went from 30-40 minutes taking about 4.5-5 oz to suddenly taking 5-6 oz in 10-15 minutes!) and then she threw a tantrum and wouldn't eat all day one day and refused those types of bottles. I switched to Dr. Brown's (Level 2, immediately) and we've been using those ever since. She loves them! She now eats between 6.5 and 8 oz and finishes in about 10-15 minutes still (of course, she's 21 weeks now). But the flow made a HUGE difference!