Milk monster

[sarabara]

My daughter is almost 4 weeks now and the last couple of days she's been eating non stop. I don't have enough BM to sustain her so I top her up after feedings and she's drinking at least 3 oz every meal on top of the breast. It seems to me that she is eating way to much. My DH wants me to start giving her 4 oz per bottle now...but it just seems like a lot.
Does anyone know whats normal or what a normal meal size is for a baby this age? Is it just her going through a growth spurt?

[llubberts]

She is doing this to ramp up your milk supply. Topping her up with the bottle instead of letting her continue to suckle is only telling your body to ramp down the milk supply. You do not likely have a supply issue but you will shortly if you continue to supplement. If you are concerned with supply issues you can pump between feeds, sending your body the signal that you need more milk. Try breast compressions while she is at breast.

[Geomamma]

Yes, do allow her to nurse whenever she needs to at this point - the first few months are critical in ensuring that your long term supply is established.

You should try to rest as much as you can. Eat well, drink lots of fluids. Eating oatmeal often helps boost supply (if you don't like hot oatmeal, try eating oatmeal cookies - mmm - or those Oatmeal To Go bars.).

You might want to see someone about ensuring that the latch is good and that baby is effectively getting milk while at the breast.

Good luck!

[hinagal]

just curious, but how are you determining when she's “done“ at the breast? are you offering both? and then back to the first? why do you think you don't have enough milk? is it just because she “takes“ the top up?
this isn't a simple and quick answer, but it is a fixable situation!
remember, babes tummies are usually no larger than their fist, so if you are giving lots at the breast and then the extra ounces afterwards, likely she is really over full. that's a sensation she has to relearn.
keep chatting about it, once you get all the details and indicators straight, things will get simpler!

[Mum09and11]

She is probably going through a growth spurt. Just because she is eating non stop doesn't mean she is not getting enough. Nolan used to nurse for 45 mins or longer every 1-2 hours, they do this when they want your supply to be more. However, around 5-6 weeks I did give him a bottle of breast milk and he ate around 3-4 oz I think? but they do get more from the breast than you pump too so not sure how you would ever know how much they're actually getting. I would stick to EBF like the above posts suggest.

[dressage mom]

Seconding all of the above!

If you want to read more about milk supply, here is a list of articles from Kellymom.com, a very reliable source.

kellymom.com :: Got Milk? ...milk supply issues