I have a 4 wk old and am unsure if she is getting enough to eat. My breast milk isn't enough, so she is getting mostly formula with a few ounces of breast milk a day. How much should she be eating now? She is super sleepy sometimes and it scares me. How do I tell if she is thriving, or if I should be concerned? Worried Mama.
Thanks everyone! In answer to the questions about why I felt she wasn't getting enough - she lost a full pound in the first two weeks. She was lethargic and her color wasn't good. I agree that breastfeeding is the way to go, and that formula is a lot of extra manufactured things that she doesn't need. I want to do whatever it takes to get her back on breastfeeding alone. I am taking fenugreek capsules and pumping - as well as nursing her first before giving her a bottle. She is fine now (I think) that I have been supplementing with the formula, but I guess I just worry after the original issue. I will see about consulting a lactation consultant again for additional help. Thanks again for all your help.
An added to Call Dr. for a "weigh in" that will be a big clue ... and the 10-12 wet diaper thing. Were I you I would seek out confirmation thru both options, do not delay call the dr. today.
One rule of thumb if it feels wrong it probably is wrong so call the dr.
Congrats on the new baby! The only way to tell if she is thriving for sure is to have her weighed. Call your Dr tomorrow and they will probably be glad to weigh her for you without an appointment. If you dont have a pediatrician yet, you could probably take her back to hospital and ask them to do it for you real quick. As for the sleep, most 4 week olds sleep a ton so i wouldn't be too worried but if she seems more sleepy than normal, I would call dr. How much formula is she getting? I am having a hard time remembering but at 4 weeks I think my DD was doing about 3 ounces a bottle, about 6 times per day. Good luck
As long as she has consistent wet diapers and is gaining weight, she is getting plenty.
My daughter was born full term and weighed 5 pounds. I was worried about her not getting enough to eat as well. She was always petite but she was incredibly healthy. The pediatrician kept a close eye on her iron and all those things. She walked super early, was very verbally advanced. She was a little dynamo in a small package. She's 24 now and built like my mother. Short and small.
The pediatrician is the best one to assess her situation. There's a big difference between not gaining a lot of weight and "failure to thrive".
Very young babies tend to sleep a lot so I wouldn't be too concerned about that. My grandson was born May 5 and he sleeps through diaper changes, getting dressed. When he's awake he's quite alert, but when he's out, he's out.
With my first baby, I felt like I could never really be sure how much she was getting to eat because I breastfed. Keep track of how often and how long your baby nurses (or gets formula). Talk to the pediatricin about it.
I wish you the very best and congratulations on your baby!
If she is having 10 to 12 wet diapers a day, she is probably getting enough. Newborns are normally pretty sleepy- unless very gassy or have reflux. Does she eat every 3 to 4 hours? Has she been gaining weight every week or so?
You don't need to worry unless the pedi says she's not gaining enough.
Best wishes!! =o)
Worried Mama,
For some reason I can't read the 8 answers you were given but in looking at your update I hope that most of them weren't lecturing you on making sure you just breastfeed or making you feel bad about using formula. To stick to your original problem....is she gaining weight now????? Do you feed her until she lets you know she's done? Is she eating every 2-3 hrs? Try to keep track how often she eats and wake her up if you need to. My baby wouldn't wake up to be fed. We set our alarm every 3 hrs to feed him because he had lost a pound the first week and I was freaking out when we brought him home. My milk took a week to come in but fortunately It finally did come in. I did have to supplement for a day or so but know of women who don't produce enough. There are many organic formula's out there and it's more important that your baby get nutrients so she can grow. If you don't have a weight scale then you can either rent one or go to your hospital/pediatrician to do weight checks. My hospital had a breastfeeding services office that had a scale you could use.
Yes, breast milk is best.....and I encourage you to keep trying in that area, but your little girls growth is the main focus.
By the way, this is coming from a mom who was lucky enough to be able to breast feed but understands that some women have problems doing so. Doesn't make you a bad mom at all!!!!!!
Why would you think your barely month old isn't getting enough breastmilk? Formula is a foreign protein that is extremely hard for babies to break down efficiently and most of those 'nutrients' the companies state are in their formula are not even absorbed! Sounds like she's not thriving on formula.
STOP ALL BOTTLES and FORMULA!! Start nursing from the breast and make sure your latch is correct and she is gulping as she should be. Most Dept Of Health WIC offices have FREE IBCLCS!!! Those are the best of the best lactation consultants!! California is crawling with breastfeeding support groups - go join one!!
Unless you have a severe prolaction issues in which your body doesn't produce it or you are on multiple medications that diminish milk supply - you are the one sabotaging your own supply by using formula to the point where it's mainly all she's eating.
There are videos on what to look for, listen for etc on www.DrJackNewman.com in the meantime while you str looking for a breastfeeding support group, Le Leche League or IBCLC.
6-8 wet diapers in 24 hours is the general guideline. I'm a peer breastfeeding counselor with Nursing Mothers Counsel, and I'm curious to know why you feel like your milk supply isn't enough for her. I don't know how dedicated you are to breastfeeding (and that makes a big difference), but at 4wks, she should be nursing 8-12 times per 24 hours. There are so many unknowns, though, regarding how much, how often, latch, the start you got, etc.
Weight is also a good guideline for how she's doing. Most babies gain 3/4 - 1oz per day for the first 3 months. However, as long as her weight gain is consistent, it doesn't have to be right on that number.
Also a good guideline is how she acts when she's awake and if she wakes herself to eat. Does she let you know when she's hungry? Does she have clear hunger cues? (arm/leg cycling, smacking tongue/lips, fist-to-mouth, bobbing, rooting) Is she alert? Does she make eye contact when awake? Is she generally happy? Does she seem comfortable? Does she smile, and is she hitting her milestones so far? All these are good indicators as well.
J.,
Congrats on your new baby! As long as your baby is having at least 6-8 wet diapers a day and is eating every 3 hours or so, your baby should be doing great! Call the doctor for a baby weight check and don't worry about calling too much---if you have questions, you can ask the advice nurse and put your mind at ease. GL
M
