Expressed milk: How much does your baby need?
I have no idea how much milk I should pack for my two-month-old daughter in each bottle for her daytime feedings while I'm at work. I plan on feeding my baby primarily freshly expressed refrigerated breastmilk. Please share your thoughts.
Question:Debbi Donovan
Debbi Donovan is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a retired La Leche League Leader. For more than a decade, Debbi... Read more
If you are away nine hours each day, it is very likely that your little one will need four or five bottles of your expressed milk. Since breastmilk is digested in less than two hours, it is best for her to be given smaller and more frequent feeds by her caregiver -- probably no more than two to three ounces per feed at your baby's age.
Small, frequent feeds will also increase the amount of times she is being held in your absence. Though I can't tell you exactly how much milk your baby will want at each feed, I would send along more than you anticipate her wanting during your first week of work. Remember that babies who are fed expressed breastmilk often take in and need smaller quantities than babies who are artificially fed (Butte 1984).
There actually is a formula for figuring out the amount of milk to offer a breastfed baby at a feed. Take your baby's weight (in pounds) and multiply by 2.5. Divide by the average number of feedings in a 24-hour period. This will equal the amount of mother's milk per feeding. Using a 10 pound baby as an example: 10 (pounds) x 2.5 = 25 (ounces in 24 hours.). Divided by 10 feedings a day (approximately every 2.4 hours) this equals 2.5 ounces per feed for a baby of this weight. Remember that this is theoretical -- all babies are unique and have different needs.
You're right, most of the time you will probably be able to feed your baby your refrigerated expressed milk. Expressed breastmilk that has been properly handled can be saved in the refrigerator, at 32 to 39 degrees F for eight days (Pardou 1994). Even when using primarily fresh refrigerated breastmilk it is still wise to freeze some of your milk. Freeze in portions of between two and four ounces. Many mothers choose to freeze their milk directly in bottles. Be sure to leave one inch at the top to allow for expansion as your milk freezes. Top with a one piece cap. If you are adding fresh breastmilk to frozen, be sure to chill first so that you don't defrost the top layer of your frozen milk. My best wishes in mothering!
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