Back to Work: Feeding Routine

by Tina
(Mozambique)

I would to know how to establish a feeding routine for my baby, as I have just gotten back to work today.

He is two months and a week old, and I have been home for him since he was born. I began pumping the milk about a month ago, and tried the bottle with him. He sucks it with no complaints. My Ped said that he should take an avarage of 100ML (about 3,5 oz I guess) per meal, but when I tried that he continued to cry for more. Last week, while still at home, I filled a bottle of 150ml with milk unfrozen milk for his mid-morning feed and he drank the whole think. Me and his nanny where shocked! So, I guess that is how much he takes. He weighs about 5.5kg now, which is an indicator that he is feeding well.

However, I have started work today, and I am a bit concern about his new feeding pattern. During the night, he wakes up at least three times, and so, I am only left with one breast full to pump the milk out, and this breast does not make more than 100ml at a go.

I would like a suggestion on how to schedule the feedings, from 8am to about 8pm, to guarantee that he is not hungry. I start work at about 8.30am and come home at 4pm.

Regards
Tina (from Mozambique, a very hot country, which makes the baby very thirsty as well).

Answer from the lactation consultant

Greetings from Texas! I am so proud of you for continuing to breastfeed after you are returning to work.

Your baby should be eating almost the same amount from a bottle that he is from the breast. It is however, very common for a baby to overeat at the bottle because it is so fast. When your baby has the increased amount at the bottle, does he still rouse to feed again in 3 hours? If so, it is a good amount but if he is going longer than 3 hours, then it is too much. You want him to stay on the same 2-3 hour schedule he would be on if he were nursing at the breast.
Your pumping schedule at work should be the same as if you were feeding him at home. So if he eats every 3 hours at home then you need to pump every 3 hours.
Continue the frequent night feedings, those feedings will help to keep your supply up during the day. Your body responds to the demand and makes more milk.
Here is a link to more information on making more milk:
http:///makingenoughmilk.html

Hope this helps,
Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC