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1 ounce per hour???

Misty - posted on 03/28/2010 ( 6 moms have responded )

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I keep reading about how your baby only needs 1 ounce per hour that you are away from them. How can that be enough? My daughter is almost 3 months old and eats 3-4 ozs every 3 hours for about a total of 25-28 ounces a day. I am away from her for 14 hours when I work, I'm a nurse and work 12 hour shifts. I pump before I leave for work and every 3 hours while at work and get about 25 ounces during that time (she eats five 4 ounce bottles while I'm gone), and still feed her once or twice while I'm at home. Is she eating too much? She's in the 50th percentile for weight. I couldn't imagine the hell my husband would go through if I only left him with 14 ounces for the day. I'm confused.

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Lucia - posted on 03/29/2010

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When I go to work my baby's milk consumption varies... sometimes he eats 3-4 ounces every 3 hours and sometimes we wants more an hour later. I think you should let her eat when she's hungry and talk to your doctor if you're concerned about her growth. It sounds like she's doing great!

April - posted on 03/29/2010

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is there a such thing is too much breast milk? i didn't think there was! i'm still not sure. in any case, your baby girl sounds like she's doing beautifully! you are doing a great job...it is not easy being a working mom and i believe nurses have one of the hardest jobs out there!

Jennifer - posted on 03/28/2010

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the ounce per hour is a guideline, not a rigid rule. some babies need a little more, some a little less. but most need about an ounce per hour. the average range is about 24-32 ounces in a 24 hour period.

Christine - posted on 03/28/2010

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That rule has never held true for my baby either. I wouldn't worry about it. Just feed your baby what she wants. Keep in mind that if you are feeding frozen milk, it varies in calories and fat content. If it is a couple of months old, it may have a lower fat content than what your baby is currently getting from the breast and that may be why she wants to nurse more. Just let her be the guide and continue to use slow flow nipples while you're gone to help be sure she doesn't suck down too much too fast.

Minnie - posted on 03/28/2010

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Three months is usually a big growth spurt. And remember, every baby is different. That one ounce an hour is just a guide.



Also something to think about- bottles don't work the same way your breasts do. She has a need to suck- and many babies will take milk from a bottle even when not truly hungry.



Try having her care giver bottle feed her in a way that mimics nursing as much as possible: sit her up more in the lap, and hold the bottle as horizontally as possible, so that the milk flows more slowly. The feeding should take about 15 to twenty minutes. Use the slowest nipple possible.

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