Tuesday, February 09, 2010, 14:20
Milk Supply & Me Time
As it's almost time for me to go back to work i've decided to let Stevlynn get used to the bottles in the day.
This means more work for me, cuz i have to feed her EBM and then after which settle her down and then settle myself down for the pumping session. I am trying to keep up my pumping sessions to her feeding sessions so that i can 'collect' enough milk and not have to 'eat' too much into my reserve supply for her.
I still have not gotten the hang of feeding her bottles yet, she gives me that look as though to question me why am i giving her a bottle when i have my boobs filled with milk. But her being so easy going, will still finish up the bottle. Another thing i have not gotten the hang of is her intake each feed as i have spent the past 2 1/2 months latching on 99% of the time. the 1% is when i'm exhausted at night and SS takes over the early morning feed (ranging between 4AM to 7AM depending on her mood). That feed isn't a very good estimate cuz she takes a range of 50ML to 80ML. On rare occasions she goes up to 100ML (but that has only happened twice) And this feed is the feed after her long sleeping through the night. I have spent yesterday giving her 4 bottles of 90ML and she has not fussed for more and not gone beyond (or shorter) of her regular feeding interval of 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours. (Am still trying to feed her on demand). I wonder if that's the right amount that she needs per feed. And if 90ML is the magical number i have a different set of concerns (first time mummy woes) - which is she may not be taking in enough as per the 'recommended intake'. And that's equally confusing as well, cuz there are various ways of calculating recommended milk intake. However which ever way it is, if Stevlynn's REALLY taking only 90ML each feed, she seems to be way under.
So let's do the math.
Method 1: Milk Intake Based on Weight - Total 24 Hour Intake
Lower Limit: 150ML x Weight
Upper Limit: 200ML x Weight
Stevlynn:
Lower Limit: 150ML x 5.4KG / 9 feeds = 90ML
Upper Limit: 200ML x 5.4KG / 9 feeds = 120ML
Stevlynn just barely hits the 90ML mark for some feeds
Method 2: Milk Intake Based on Weight - Per Feed Calculation
Lower Limit: Weight x 20ML
Upper Limit: Weight x 30ML
This is to be fed every 3 hourly
Stevlynn:
Lower Limit: 5.4 x 20ML = 108ML
Upper Limit: 5.4 x 30ML = 162ML
Stevlynn is WAY UNDER (i question can she really take so much milk @ a go?)
3. BF Babies Milk Intake Remains Constant Between 1 Month to 6 Months
This belief says that a total BF babies requires an average of 25 Oz (750ML) per day with the daily range between 19 to 30 Oz (570 to 900ML) so to take the range and divide out by the number of feeds.
Stevlynn:
Lower Limit: 540ML / 9 feeds = 64ML
Upper Limit: 900ML / 9 feeds = 100ML
Stevlynn is still within range of this. But from what i know, not many mummies use this method cuz it's a long time belief that babies intake will increase with their age. Sighs...
Then let's take a look @ my milk supply. I've been worrying if i will have sufficient milk when i return to work thus i have started to 'measure' at my output.
Yesterday
Expressed 5 times of output of 590ML; Stevlynn drank 3 times from the bottle of a total of 300ML
Direct latch on 4 times.
Is this good or bad? I'm not sure too.
Today (Till 2.30PM)
Expressed 3 times of output 480ML; Stevlynn drank 2 times from the bottle of a total of 150ML
Direct latch on 1 time.
(Will update this again when the day ends)
I've been trying to drink lotsa water and pump regularly in hope that i get enough milk for her.
But next week's again going to blow what i've been trying to do - CNY week and out visiting, it is SOOOoOO much easier to direct latch on rather than feed her EBM and then express out. (I wonder if my supply would drop and if i should just go the trouble of bringing out lotsa barang and feed her EBM and express out)
If all these efforts show that i do not have enough milk for her daily consumption i may want to consider turning to either fenugreek tablets or sacred tea - both supposedly to aid boost of milk supply.
On the HIGH side, tonight i'm going to spend ME time with mummy to do our nails and eye lashes :)
Can't wait although this means Stevlynn will be left with SS the whole evening/night - given Stevlynn last track record, it didn't go VERY well. Crossing fingers that this time it would be better.
Mental note: Bring breast pump along (haha)
Stevlynn with Grand-daddy (who utterly spoils her)
Stevlynn & Mummy
Stevlynn With Daddy. Look at how happy they both are
Stevlynn with Grand-mummy (another person who utterly spoils her)
And this picture is the most precious. Stevlynn with her Great Grand Mummy.
