https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:51:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561805 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 10:34:12 +0000 MrsBrewer 2561805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: truthfully I don't think so. Because I would pump for so much longer than she would actually nurse! And I could tell when I was done pumping that my breasts were actually empty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561751 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 06:45:24 +0000 Madison43 2561751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to chime in and say not all babies take big bottles. LO1 was exclusively formula fed and average percentiles and the biggest bottle she ever took was 5 oz. LO2 (my preemie) is exclusively bottle fed - combo of pumped milk and formula - and at nearly 8 months, only takes a bottle larger than 4 oz before bed, and even then it's hit or miss whether she'll drink more than the 4oz. And she is a chub! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561728 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 05:42:50 +0000 hilsy85 2561728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: We are actually moving in a week, so I wuold have to look in our new city to find one. I went to one with DS when I had similar concerns about him actually and did find it helpfu. It's so interesting to me that bigger babies can also only take 4oz bottles--do you think he gets more from you while nursing? </p> <p>@youboots: my pedi also did not recommend supplementing (I asked) so that kind of made me feel ok about it.</p> <p>@Iced Tea: ugh yeah pumping regularly sucks (literall, lol). </p> <p>@daniellemybelle: that is true actually! That does make sense. Although at night, I go about 6 hours before I pump and get about 5oz so a little less than 1oz per hour, but I also think my body is just used to that spacing (I nurse her at 4 and then give a bottle at 6;30 and pump at 10--I should really have been pumping at 6:30 as well but am way too lazy!).<br /> @Pirouette: yes we are doing full fat yogurt and on operation add calories to everything! I have actually added some formula to her bottle before and while she will take it if it is 1-1.5oz, anything more or formula by itself she will just not drink! So I am relieved that no one here thinks I need to stress about getting her to take it. </p> <p>@MrsBrewer: do you think she got more nursing from you? It's so interesting to me that big babies also can take small bottles--the only big baby I know takes like 6-8oz bottles!</p> <p>@raintreebee: I have a medela PISA and it seems to work really well. I guess I could try changing the membranes though. </p> <p>@QBbride: yes I know, some babies have to be the small ones! :) I just was hoping for a chubby one this time, when she started out at 60th% :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561709 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 00:28:39 +0000 QBbride 2561709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From what you have posted, I wouldn't recommend supplementing based on the info you provided. Firstly, a baby is MUCH more efficient than a pump. I was never (ever) able to pump more than 1-2oz with my son and he was not a small baby. I exclusively breastfed him and nursed him until 19 months without every having to supplement. If your DD seems satisfies after feedings, I think that's a great indicator of your supply. </p> <p>Also, don't get too caught up on the percentiles, especially if your son is tall and skinny. My daughter has always been small (started off around 25th%) and now she is in the 3rd%. Every baby grows differently plus some babies are big, some are small, and some are "average". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561669 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:34:32 +0000 raintreebee 2561669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh. Breastfeeding is so stressful.<br /> What kind of pump do you have? I only get 3-4 ounces from my spectra and my freestyle but 5 from my hygeia enjoye. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561205 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 09:21:56 +0000 MrsBrewer 2561205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm kind of on the other side of this. I have a very large baby, always in the 95+% for height and weight, and her bottles were always 3-4 oz. She would never drink more than that. I wouldn't be too concerned about supplementing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561155 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:24:33 +0000 Pirouette 2561155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't say there's any reason to supplement based on those numbers. One thing you might try though if you're concerned, is boosting the fat intake in her solids - like avocados, maybe full fat yogurt if she's ready for it. i agree with the others that the amount you pump is not indicative, but also, the number of ounces is not indicative of the quality of milk she's getting either. Your milk might have a higher fat/caloric content, in which case she'd need far less.</p> <p>It sounds like you are doing everything right, and I would wait until her next check up (9 months i'm guessing) to see where she's at. If she's dropped any further, you could start slowly introducing wcm, or at least more dairy, like cheese and yogurt.</p> <p>FWIW, my daughter wouldn't take formula when we tried to introduce it around 9 months. we'd made it so far with breastmilk and she'd already developed a taste preference for it. so it's not necessarily a quick fix! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561154 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:21:31 +0000 daniellemybelle 2561154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pumping is definitely not a good indicator of what she's taking in! Some women respond better to the pump than others. Even so, they usually say the rule of thumb is 1 oz for every hour you are away from baby. So if you are pumping to replace a feeding and she's eating every 3-4 hours, that's actually perfect!</p> <p>My LO fell in percentiles as well and we DID supplement with formula because I did have serious low supply - like I could only pump 1-2 oz and when we did weighted feeds with the LC the most she ever transferred nursing was 2.5 oz. She was a chubby baby but just never wanted to eat that much. I'm sure you are fine though of course you could always ask your pediatrician. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561139 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:06:13 +0000 snowjewelz 2561139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD pretty much drank 4 oz the whole year. I did end up supplementing b/c I have to pump at work and with a hectic work schedule my supply just dwindled. I don't think getting 3.75 is horrible; plus it's not an indication of how much baby is getting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561042 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 22:23:40 +0000 Iced Tea 2561042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't supplement in this situation, for all the reasons mentioned above. </p> <p>Just a pumping note: I just returned from a trip where I had to pump to replace all the feedings. So hard. It became clear that the pump doesn't empty my breasts as well as the baby. I got plugged ducts! I was so happy to get back to my LO who can empty them in 3 minutes flat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2561034 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 22:04:52 +0000 youboots 2561034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh, sounds like me. I did not supplement. T only gained 1 lb for 4-5 months and was under 10% and now at 15 mo is back up to right under 50%- now she's weaned and on tons of solid food. I would have added formula if the ped recommended but they did not. I also second T only took 4oz bottles. I started a little WCM (4oz a day) at 11 mo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560994 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:33:46 +0000 peaches1038 2560994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with everyone else so far! My guy is on the bigger side- 22 lbs at 6 months and 3 weeks and 29 inches and he only takes 4 oz in his bottles. I would definitely recommend doing a weighed feed. Can you find a breastfeeding support group in your area? Check out la leche league or even your local hospitals. Mine had one and it was a lifesaver. I saw that you knew that babies drop their percentiles after 6 months, so keep reminding yourself of that. And always remember your baby is way way more efficient than the pump. You're doing a great job!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560992 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:27:01 +0000 hilsy85 2560992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: thanks for that! Good to hear that you would add solids rather than formula--our pedi had told us to add in lunch but i wasn't sure if that was too much for her. </p> <p>@mrswin: soo I just checked the WHO chart and she is actually 30th percentile on that! Assuming I counted her weeks right :silly: Makes me feel much better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560991 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:22:28 +0000 erinbaderin 2560991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if she's happy, meeting milestones, and doesn't seem fussy or unhappy after nursing and is going 3-4 hours you're doing fine! Babies are way more efficient at getting milk than pumps, and if she was hungry she'd let you know. My son was teeny - 13lbs at 6 months, in the second percentile until 18 months, and was/is fine. At this age I would add more solids instead of formula if you're really worried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560985 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:03:45 +0000 hilsy85 2560985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: yes I can't wait for the BM intake to be less important! So stressful. </p> <p>@petitenoisette: I just wonder if the pump is actually more efficient than she is, since she is so distractible right now and I feel like does not even necessarily empty the breast all the time. But I guess when she is satisfied, that means she's had enough?</p> <p>Thanks all for the comments so far! You are talking me down, which is what I needed :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560982 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:02:12 +0000 hilsy85 2560982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: So that is another thing, we did a weighted feed at the pedi office for a fairly typical feed when she was 6 months old--it was maybe an hour earlier than she usually ate so maybe she wasn't really that hungry yet, plus new enviroment. BUt she only ate 2oz. So it's hard to know if it's me or if it's her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560981 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:02:01 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2560981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Also, I feel like the 6-8 month time when starting solids is an odd time. Baby is growing and not quite eating solids yet. By the time she gets the hang of solids, the amount of BM may go down even more. So maybe try to hang in there even just another few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560980 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:01:20 +0000 petitenoisette 2560980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: I don't think you can really gauge how much she is drinking while nursing based off what you pump. But even so, let's say she is slightly more efficient than a pump and so drinking 4 oz a session, 6 times a day, that is basically 25oz. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560977 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:00:22 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2560977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: That doesn't seem low. Assuming baby gets a bit more than pumping (so assume baby gets 4 oz), times 6 feedings that would be 24 ounces. </p> <p>It would make sense baby might suck down 4-5 oz at a time from a bottle. It comes out faster and they have to do less work. </p> <p>Have you done a weighted feed? Weigh her before and after nursing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560975 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:00:14 +0000 hilsy85 2560975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: she is 7.5 months...I don't do paced feedings because she was resistant to bottles initially so my goal was just to get them in her as fast as possible. We do use a phase 1 nipple. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560973 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:57:56 +0000 hilsy85 2560973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I would assume so? But honestly she is such a distracted nurser sometimes that it seems impossible that she gets much from me. But then she can go 3-4 hours between nursing sessions without getting cranky so either she has no appetite or is getting enough somehow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560972 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:57:54 +0000 mrswin 2560972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: The chart can make a difference for sure. How old is your DD? Do you do paced feeding when you give a bottle? Most breastfed babies will take more from the bottle then when nursing because it is easier. Nursing is more work and so when they are drinking a bottle they don't feel full right away because the milk is in their tummy faster :silly:</p> <p>You are doing a great job mamma! Try not to worry, she will let you know if she is hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560968 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:55:03 +0000 Mrs. J 2560968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boys rarely take/took more than 4oz at a go. 3 is the norm for my 10 month old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560967 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:54:10 +0000 hilsy85 2560967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: I am actually not sure...good question! I know they are different. and I know it is common for breastfed babies to drop in percentiles after 6 months. Another thing that just makes me nervous is that when I give her bottles of 4oz or even up to 5oz sometimes (if I add frozen milk or some formula), she will often suck them down. And I know she is not getting 5oz from me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560965 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:52:47 +0000 lawbee11 2560965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doesn't seem that low to me. The max M ever took bottlewise when I pumped was 5oz. And most of the time she didn't finish the 5oz bottles. And I'm assuming she probably gets more when she nurses than you do with the pump? If she doesn't still seem hungry after nursing I'd probably just keep doing what you're doing :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560963 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:51:19 +0000 mrswin 2560963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Also which chart is the doctor using for tracking growth? The WHO or the CDC? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560962 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:51:00 +0000 hilsy85 2560962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: thanks :) I just need to be ok with her being on the low end of that range I guess! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560961 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:50:17 +0000 mrswin 2560961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Kellymom says 25oz is average and it can be anywhere from 19 to 30oz a day. My DD only ever took 4oz bottles and she was on a similar schedule at that age. I would think if she seems satisfied with nursing she is probably fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560960 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:47:33 +0000 hilsy85 2560960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: I read somewhere that the average amount of breastmilk a baby needs is 25oz, so I guess I feel like if she is only getting 20/23oz, that seems low...but maybe she is just not a big eater, as she will pull of when she is done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-supplement-or-not#post-2560958 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:42:52 +0000 petitenoisette 2560958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much you pump is definitely not a good indicator. That being said, my LO has never had more than 4 ounce bottles, and that seems to be the norm, so what you're pumping really isn't far off (plus add in that she is much more efficient than a pump!). </p> <p>My daughter has always been on the smaller side and is only 18 pounds at 15 months so I know it can be hard not to worry! But long as her doctor isn't concerned with the weight gain I would not worry at all. </p>