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Hmm that sounds like quite a bit of milk! My son was big but only would take 3-4 ounces to skip a feeding (plus one bigger bottle of pumped milk before bed).

If she seems happy and staying on her growth curve I would think its ok!

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!).

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.

@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.

@hilsy85: Also which chart is the doctor using for tracking growth? The WHO or the CDC?

@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

You are doing a great job mamma! Try not to worry, she will let you know if she is hungry.

@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.

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.

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!!

I wouldn't supplement in this situation, for all the reasons mentioned above.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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".

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!