How much to pump

[Jacqui]

I am leaving my 16 week old son for the first time tomorrow to go out for about 4-5 hours for a movie and lunch. Just wondering if any of you have any advice as to how much to pump. I don't know how much he eats as he has only had 3 bottles in his life and this was weeks ago. He is about 16 lbs. Thanks!

[Altair]

I'd leave 2 bottles. From 8 weeks until 1 year you can leave bottles that are 3.5-4 oz. I'd nurse before leaving, leave 2 to be safe, nurse when you get home.

[CherryBombMama]

Originally Posted by Altair

I'd leave 2 bottles. From 8 weeks until 1 year you can leave bottles that are 3.5-4 oz. I'd nurse before leaving, leave 2 to be safe, nurse when you get home.

except i would recommend leaving bottles that are 5 oz. my DS drank 5-6 oz BM bottles at 8 weeks

[hotharmony]

5oz is WAY too much for the average breastfeed baby.

I would use this milk calculator, http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/m...tml#calculator. Remember that babies stomachs are only the size of their fist and don't hold a ton.

In exclusively breastfed babies, milk intake increases quickly during the first few weeks of life, then stays about the same between one and six months (though it likely increases short term during growth spurts). Current breastfeeding research does not indicate that breastmilk intake changes with baby's age or weight between one and six months.

[PatioGardener]

And here is a great handout to give whoever is going to feed your baby - it will help them to understand how a breastfed baby eats, and hopefully prevent bottle preference.

http://www.kellymom.com/store/freeha...le_feeding.pdf

Have a great time!

[CherryBombMama]

Originally Posted by hotharmony

5oz is WAY too much for the average breastfeed baby.
I would use this milk calculator, http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/m...tml#calculator. Remember that babies stomachs are only the size of their fist and don't hold a ton.

In exclusively breastfed babies, milk intake increases quickly during the first few weeks of life, then stays about the same between one and six months (though it likely increases short term during growth spurts). Current breastfeeding research does not indicate that breastmilk intake changes with baby's age or weight between one and six months.

totally agree with you, but thats what he drank. i just feel like leaving an ounce or two extra is more important and helpful than potentially leaving a baby hungry. i meant it for the OP as precautionary advice

[groovyem]

Well, you can never leave too much. Just remember, any leftover milk in the bottle can't be saved for the future. Just add as needed. It's always nice to have some in the freezer when you start cereals too.

[MamaPhD]

I would leave 3x 3oz.
This way, if baby wants more after one 3oz bottle, he can have 1-2 oz from another bottle extra (or not). Not likely he will finish 2 bottles. Whereas if you left 5oz bottle and baby doesn't finish it, you would be wasting the leftover. BM is precious!!!

[Jacqui]

thanks!

Thank you so much everyone. It was so nice to have an afternoon out! I ended up being able to get about 8 oz and he only ate about 4oz in 5 hours! i had fed him before i left. guess he just wanted to wait until mommy got home. Unfortunately i can't freeze any of my milk because i have thrush, oh well.......any suggestions for uses now? I suppose it wouldn't be advisable for me to drink it or give it to the pets b/c i/they could get oral thrush? I have been able to keep the thrush manageable ( i have had it since he was 3 weeks and just can't kick it) the worst part about it is not being able to build up a stash.
thanks again!

[Lil'Momma]

If you scalded it first, would you be able to freeze it and save it until he starts solids? It wouldn't be as nutritious as fresh, but for mixing with solids it would be good. I read that somewhere but I don't have anything to back it up... does anyone know if that would work? lol. Just throwing out suggestions, I would definately look it up before I tried it though.