My daughter is 16 weeks old today. She drinks about 4 to 5 ounces of fomula every 3hours during the day then is breatfed at night. Is there a recommended amount of formula that I should be feeding her at each feeding? She weighs about 14 1/2 pounds.

Sarah - posted on 01/08/2009

I just went back to work last week and my little guy is exclusively breastfed, so I had no idea how much he was getting at each feeding.  He seems to drink anywhere from 4.5-6 oz  every 3-4 hours during the day of expressed milk and sleeps through the night.  He's a little over 15 pounds now.   A baby this age generally knows how much she needs better than her parents.  Your baby sounds like she is a very healthy weight.

Kathryn - posted on 01/08/2009

so why don't you just breastfeed through the day? then it wont matter how much your baby is getting because they will let you know when there finished :)

Leanne - posted on 01/06/2009

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the info. I, especially, find the information on increasing milk supply quite interesting.

Leanne - posted on 01/06/2009

Hi Jo,

I only breastfeed at night because I find it much simpler and quicker than getting a bottle of formula ready. I still pump during the day but am not getting much pumped due to only breastfeeding at night.

Lisa - posted on 01/06/2009

My son is also 16 weeks old today! My pediatrician told me that the amount can vary anywhere from 2 to 6 oz per feeding depending on the frequency. When I was on maternity leave, I breastfeed him every 3 hours. When I started work (on Dec 11th) I pumped milk but not enough to give him only breast milk - we leave some breastmilk bottles and some formula bottles at the daycare. We started with 4 ounces every 3 hours and he did really well with that. His weight seemed fine - he was 12 pounds 5 ounces at his 3 month appointment. Our pediatrician suggested we try increasing to 5 ounces to see if we can spread the feedings out more - we are having mixed results. Sometimes he finishes it all other days he doesn't. I am going to cut back a little to 4 1/2 ounces. I seem to be getting better at pumping milk so we are beginning to leave more breastmilk and less formula at daycare.

With regards to Jo's question about low supply - I struggled with this especially when I had to pump during the day. I found out about a few different techniques.

- Nurse/pump frequently. Apparently shorter duration but more frequently is supposed to help increase supply. I used the days off of work over the holidays to nurse/pump as much as I could bear it.

- Drink warm liquids and avoid eating/drinking anything cold. I usually drink rooibos tea (has no caffeine) or the morther's milk tea (which I have trouble finding in stores).

- Eat oatmeal. I started having outmeal every morning for breakfast and also snack on oatmeal granola bars or oatmeal cookies.

- eat fresh fruits/vegetables - this I need to improve on!

- I also heard that you should get plenty of rest but have not figured how that is possible when you have a little baby to take care of!

I have had some increase in supply - not enough to stockpile but enough to satisfy my son for now.

Best of luck.

Joanne - posted on 01/06/2009

Hi Leanne. i'm not judging you, but why do you only breastfeed at night? i'm asking as I am having problems with low supply.