Expert: Sue Ennis - 1/10/2008

Question
I started to work full time about 1.5 months ago, and have been exclusively breastfeeding my baby.  While at work, I have been pumping, but pump only about 1-2 oz from each breast each time (2-3 times/day).  I feed my baby about every 3-4 hours each day.  Usually, my baby eats about 5-6 oz of pumped breastmilk.  I am afraid that the amount that I pump is not enough to feed him these 5-6 oz at each feeding.  In addition, my baby started with a nanny today; I left her 9 oz of breastmilk for the two feedings that I would miss.  She called me to tell me that my baby ate all 9 oz in one feeding, and that she had to supplement and feed him 8 oz of formula for the second feeding.  
My baby is 4 months old, and weighs about 12-13 lbs.  I don't want to starve him, but it strikes me that 8-9 oz at each feeding is too much!  On top of it, I wonder if I will be able to keep breastfeeding him, if I only pump about 1-2 oz from each breast each time!  Please advice...

Answer
Hello Uri - Sounds like your baby is just like my first and will take as much to feed as given, so have your nanny try to make a 4 oz feeding be the amount that is given.  Sometimes babies continue to eat what they are offered and with a new caregiver, it may have just been more of a distraction that lead to just a larger amt than normal taken at once.  Agree you don't want to hold back what the baby wants and needs, but equally they just need what is enough given their age and weight so between 4-5 ounces at 4 months is a typical feeding.  In other times they can take more perhaps before a night of sleep or when there will be a gap between feedings.  In terms of your breastmilk supply and pumping, you can try to pump after feedings with the baby.  This way any breastmilk left will be emptied and will help to increase production and even if you get an ounce here or there, you can bank them in the freezer to have on hand in you are not ready to start supplementing with formula.  But if you can pump 1-2 ounces from each breast and get a few ounces at other times, that should help meet the needs of the baby and in another month you'll be able to start on some cereals which will help to close the gap of sole breastmilk feedings.  Also, if the baby sleeps through the night, you may want to see if you can express in the middle of the night...not ideal as we tend to want our sleep too, but again another way to get some extra supply to have on hand.  Good luck and all the best