https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 22 May 2026 14:19:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1352936 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:08:17 +0000 illumina 1352936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: 1oz each side in place of nursing. I can get her weighed weekly, so I'll keep an eye on it. I'll also watch that video, it sounds good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1352915 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:03:31 +0000 daniellemybelle 1352915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: 1oz per side immediately after nursing, or between/in place of nursing?</p> <p>There are some different ways you can calculate how much your LO needs, based on their age/weight/etc but those are more for FF babies. BF babies can be satisfied with less. I would say 3oz of supplement every time is on the high side. We're doing 1.5oz right now &amp; I might go down to 1.25oz because her weight gain is great. The best way to know is if she is gaining 5-7 oz a week, if you can get her weighed weekly. </p> <p>Google paced bottle feeding - there is a video that shows how to bottle feed a breastfed baby, both to make sure she doesn't overeat &amp; to avoid nipple preference. If you pace her feedings well, you may find that she will stop drinking the bottle when she's full. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1352553 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:02:08 +0000 illumina 1352553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: thanks for the advice! I've tried pumping and can only get 1oz from each side. Do you supplement after each BF? I'm struggling with knowing how much to supplement, so at the moment assuming she takes ~2oz BM, I give 3oz formula. Does that sound right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1352511 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 10:55:38 +0000 daniellemybelle 1352511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So many hugs, mama. We are combination feeding &amp; it works great for us. I wish we were EBF but supplementing is not the end of nursing!</p> <p>I would follow your LC's advice first &amp; foremost. However, from my experience, I would 1) try to keep her on 20 minutes every side if she's willing, doing breast compressions/massage to keep the milk flowing &amp; 2) start pumping after feedings to increase your supply &amp; also to have breastmilk to supplement with. Pumping can also help to determine if it is an issue with LO transferring or your supply. If you can consistently pump more than 1 oz after nursing, she may have issues getting the milk out which a LC can help with.</p> <p>Hang in there! I know how tough this is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1352025 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:32:07 +0000 erwoo 1352025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: Hang in there. Some babies just aren't great nursers and take the bottle better. You're already doing a great job breast feeding her. Supplementing is great too. I EBF both of my boys but had to supplement a lot in the beginning with my oldest and was still able to EBF after a few months. If you want to try to up your supply you can also take supplements like fenugreek to help and nurse more frequently. I took it pretty much the entire time I was nursing my oldest and he gained weight nicely. I never produced a lot of breast milk. Meaning I was never able to pump more after each nursing session. Just enough for each feeding. Sometimes I felt like he was still hungry so then I would give some formula. Do what you feel is best for both of you. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1351681 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:16:31 +0000 MamaMagpie 1351681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: oh, mama, don't be sad! Sometimes weighed feeds are flawed because EPF babies don't eat the same amounts all of the time (sometimes they just want a snack!). That being said, if you feel like supplementing is best for her then you should feel great about figuring that out!</p> <p>Since I've gone back to work and haven't been able to pump enough for H, we've been combo feeding and he hasn't skipped a beat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1350909 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:10:22 +0000 Charm54 1350909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: nothing wrong with combo feeding .., we've been doing it since birth with great succeess . Happy baby makes for a happy mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1350891 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:04:03 +0000 jedeve 1350891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO nursed for quite a while at that age (40 minutes - ugh, way too long!) That's when he started getting distracted tool</p> <p>Have you tried nursing in a quite area while rocking? It helps mine focus. You can try to offer a few more times after she pops off. But if she needs formula she needs formula! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1350887 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:00:33 +0000 hilsy85 1350887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: combo feeding is definitely sustainable!!! There are a lot of mamas on here who have done it (locavore_mama is one I think). Its GREAt that you figured out what your LO needs! You are a good mama for persisting in both breastfeeding and making sure she is getting enough. And if it turns out that Exclusively FF is what works for you guys that's ok too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1350638 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:25:52 +0000 Adira 1350638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: Boo! Sorry to hear that! Did the LC have any suggestions?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1350577 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:06:39 +0000 illumina 1350577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@creativemomma15: @hilsy85: @Adira: so I managed to do a weighted feed today and was shocked to discover she only took 1.5oz :( I feel like I've been starving my kiddo :( the next 2 feeds I gave her 3oz of formula after BF and she seemed the happiest I've seen her in forever :( I don't think my supply can recover to give her enough so I'll combo feed for as long as I can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1349090 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 10:50:16 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1349090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No real suggestions, but I hope things go well for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348649 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:19:58 +0000 hilsy85 1348649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok so I'm going to be a voice of dissent here...while wet poopy diapers are a REALLY good indicator, the BEST indicator is actual weight gain. When you say she's gaining 3oz a week and that's not enough--is that just how you feel or is that what your pediatrician has said? If it's YOU being worried--then don't! Some babies are just small and gain slowly. If she's refusing to eat more , then don't force her--maybe try when she's sleepy or in a dark quiet room to help with the distraction. </p> <p>However, if your pedi is concerned that the weight gain is slow, then that's a different story. My sister had a similar experience--her LO gained slowly but had a lot of wet/poopy diapers. She was worried about supply due to slow weight gain and decided to start supplementing to see if it made a difference. Her LO's wet/poopy diapers went up DRASTICALLY and he gained weight much better. So I think it's hard to say, "Oh well if the wet/poopy diapers are good, then you're good" because you don't have anything to compare it to, you know? Like, her LO was having like 4-5 poopy diapers a day, and like 6-8 wet diapers a day. Which seems like a lot! but then after she started supplementing, his diapers were significantly wetter, and he was obviously getting more--but she wouldn't have been able to know that without trying it. </p> <p>Anyway, I'm not saying that you NEED to supplement, I think t really depends what your pedi is saying. I also completely agree with doing a weighed feeding to see how much she is actually getting from you--if it's a decent amount, then she might just be a slow gainer. If it's only an oz or two, then you might want to explore other options/speak to an LC. Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348538 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 08:50:30 +0000 Revel 1348538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO has been a distracted nurser since about that age, so I can relate. My LO has also always been 17-20th percentile for weight.</p> <p>We've honestly never gotten on a feeding schedule (almost embarrassed to admit this with a 7.5 month old!) so I just kind of nurse her when she wants or before we go out etc. when I'm not working. I know I still feed her more frequently than every 3 hours during the day. </p> <p>Could you feed more frequently, if you're concerned about weight gain? That might help offset any deficit if she's cutting some of her feeds short.</p> <p>You're doing a great job and are very close to your goal! This doesn't sound like it needs to derail your plans, but is just something you can try to tinker with to find the right balance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348422 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:45:24 +0000 Adira 1348422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second @creativemomma15: to do a weighed feed!</p> <p>But your LO sounds a lot like Xander. At four months, he was so distracted and would only nurse well when he was sleepy. If he popped off the boob, I would try putting him back on a few times before switching sides and then do the same thing until I gave up. And his weight gain was similar to your LO's (4 months was when he dropped down to the 17th percentile for weight - had been 33rd at 2 months). But he always seemed happy and alert and was meeting milestones, so my pediatrician wasn't concerned.</p> <p>My only other suggestion is maybe just try to offer her the boob more often (maybe every 2 hours instead of very 3). But to me, it all sounds normal. I would just want to do a weighted feed to see if she's getting enough from you (our weighted feed showed Xander eating almost 4 oz, although he'd down 5+ oz bottles at daycare). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348411 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:40:32 +0000 Weagle 1348411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: Ditto. Some babies are just very efficient at nursing. LO rarely ate more than 5-7 minutes per side unless she was just super tired... And then it was just comfort nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348406 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:37:53 +0000 Dandelion 1348406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is she having plenty of wet and poopy diapers? That's the best indicator that she's getting enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348390 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:27:19 +0000 creativemomma15 1348390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you have a weighed feed done with a LC? Then you could see how much she is getting from you when nursing and if it's not enough they could help you with ways to get her to relatch? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348369 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:14:03 +0000 illumina 1348369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@singingbee: yes and she'll take whatever is in the bottle. If you fill it up to 7-8oz (as in full for our size bottles) she will try and down it all and just spit up the excess. I've wondered if that's whey she starts fussing...because it is harder to get at the milk/it's not coming quick enough for her. What do you do when that happens? If I feel that's what has happened I try and top her up before her next nap an hour later and she usually takes the boob again for a few minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348360 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:06:15 +0000 singingbee 1348360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't remember, have you tried giving her a bottle of pumped milk to see how much she takes? Lo will rarely stop eating on her own. She usually will take both sides before she pops off or starts fussing because it isn't flowing as quickly as she wants it to. Since LO goes to a sitter's, she take 5 oz bottles, so I figure she gets anywhere from 3-5 oz whenever she eats. If she can go 3 hrs between feedings, then I figure she gets closer to 5 oz. if it is less than 3 hrs, then maybe not as much that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-know-whenif-shes-had-enough#post-1348355 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:01:38 +0000 illumina 1348355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The post about offering both sides whilst feeding inspired me to ask this question! </p> <p>LO is 4 months and I feed her every 3hrs during the day and 3-4hrs during the night. She typically feeds for 5-10mins on each boob before coming off because she's either distracted or needs to burp. So I burp her and try and get her back on and she'll latch for maybe 30 seconds more and then come off and look at me or start looking around or squirming so I figure it's time to switch sides. Then she does the same on the next side. </p> <p>I have no idea if I should be trying more times to get her to latch again? If there's any milk there or if she's reluctant to work harder to get at it? She never has that satisfied/milk drunk look about her when she comes off anymore but she doesn't protest about the feeding session ending either. About half the time she spits up afterwards. </p> <p>For those that have followed our "story", she is gaining around 3oz per week even with our around the clock feeding. I don't feel as if that's enough. I'm exhausted from lack of sleep and getting disheartened by her getting distracted when feeding (I can't feed her in public anymore nor if another person is in the room talking to me) and her poor weight gain and I'm getting close to wanting to give up breastfeeding altogether. My goal was to EBF to 6mths...but that seems to be drifting further away :( </p>