How much pumped milk for a night at grandma's?

[Hannah32]

Let's say I was able to drop my son off at my parents' house for a night. This generous offer was made by my parents to help my husband and I get a good night's sleep. I'm thinking of dropping him off in the evening and picking him up the middle of the next morning. Maybe about 15-16 hours all together.

How much milk would I need for a baby who is about 8-10 weeks old? Is there some sort of math formula to use for further calculations?

[octobermom]

take babies weight multiply by 3 then divide by number of feeding a day.. So say baby is 12lbs...
12x3= 36oz baby eats every 2 hours so 3oz each...

Can I ask why so long? 15 hours away from a 10 week old that a looong time I know I wouldn't be able to rest being seperated that long .


Deanna

[crystal_buffaloe]

I've always heard about an ounce for each hour that you plan to be away from the baby, but I've never been away from my 10wo at night, so I'm not sure. (I work for 4 hours, and I leave 4 ounces, but since I feed her right before I leave, sometimes she doesn't eat, and sometimes she eats 2-3 ounces.)

If you drop the LO off at 8pm and plan to pick the babe up at 9am, that would be 13 hours. Do you have or could you get 13 ounces of pumped milk for 13 hours? 16 ounces for 16 hours? I'd nurse immediately before dropping off the baby (maybe even at their house before you leave) and make sure the grandparents know about appropriate bottle feeding for the breastfed infant -- they can save what's not finished at one feeding for the next, there's NO need to dump it, etc.

You should also think about what you want and discuss with your parents what to do if they run out of expressed milk -- should they call you? drive the baby back to your house?

[akind1]

I couldn't do it and DS is 8 1/2 months old! LOL

How often is babe waking at night when he is with you? Does he ever get bottles, and if so, how much at a time?

At that age, and still at the age he is now, (Not sure about the weight formula above; as DS has taken the same amount roughly from 7 weeks through now) DS slept in 4 hour stretches, and sometimes longer. He takes 3.5-4 oz a feeding.

If you really feel the need to be gone that long, I would bring 20 oz or so, enough for 5 4 oz bottles or 7 3 oz bottles. (FWIW, I would bring only 1/2 prepared, and 1/2 frozen, in case he eats less than expected) I know DS often will not eat as much while I am gone, it is like he holds out and then finally gives in, but still only takes the bare minimum to get by until I am home.

I am thinking . . .drop off at 7 (assume you are feeding right before or at drop off) bottle again at 9-10, 1-2, 4-5, 7-8, 10-11. I really think you shouldn't need more than 5. and may need less.

but it really depends on the babe -

[RaeDyCo]

My understanding is that the weight formula is only for babies on formula. For breastfed babies -- it is 1 oz per hour that baby is away. So if baby is away for 16 hours, it would be 16 oz of pumped milk.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

[Hannah32]

Why? Because my husband and I are tired and we are lucky enough to have family nearby that we can trust completely.

He currently takes one bottle at night, usually about 2 oz. He wakes every 2-3 hours at night.

[octobermom]

Originally Posted by Hannah32

Why? Because my husband and I are tired and we are lucky enough to have family nearby that we can trust completely.

He currently takes one bottle at night, usually about 2 oz. He wakes every 2-3 hours at night.

I understand wanting the sleep and its great to have someone you can trust. My question was on why so long. 15 hours seems excessive to me but I also don't know the whole situation like travel time ect.. I personally couldn't be seperated from my LO that long but at the same time a good nights sleep and a chance to recharge can be worth a TON.

Deanna

[Hannah32]

Well it doesn't have to be fifteen. I was thinking more on the "prepare for a longer time than absolutely needed" spectrum. It could be more like 10 or 12.

He's only 6.5 weeks now and I figure it would take me several weeks to save up the needed milk.

[octobermom]

Originally Posted by Hannah32

Well it doesn't have to be fifteen. I was thinking more on the "prepare for a longer time than absolutely needed" spectrum. It could be more like 10 or 12.

He's only 6.5 weeks now and I figure it would take me several weeks to save up the needed milk.

Ahh I understand and yea deffiently prepare for longer JIC. Hope everything works out. Do know it does get better.

Deanna