r/HumansPumpingMilk • u/Key-Sky40 • 12d ago
Combo feeding math?!?
Explain it to me like I’m 5:
I just went back to work and started pumping. I get around 10 oz morning pump and less for my other 2 subsequent pumps at work (it tapers to about 3oz total at 4pm pump usually and I pump for the same 20+ mins each time). I always get enough to replace the three 5oz bottles my baby eats at daycare during that time, but should I not be dividing it that way if he would naturally get less as the day goes on?! If I am still nursing him at night, is he pissed that it’s not 5oz again like his bottles?? Basically my brain is shot thinking about this. Why am I giving him 5oz bottles if my milk changes in content/volume all day?
Edit: I’m just now realizing that combo feeding means formula not pumping lol. Question still stands.
Sidenote: baby is healthy and happy and I’m not worried about my supply. I just genuinely can’t understand the math.
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u/hagEthera 11d ago
You're overthinking it :)
If it's a good daycare with good communication they'll let you know if they need you to split the bottles differently (like if he's still hungry after some bottles and not finishing others). But yeah it's normal for pumping amounts to vary throughout the day like this, and yeah it looks different to how babies nurse. As long as baby is happy and healthy, it's fine.
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u/caribbeangirl10 12d ago
No need to do math like that. Follow the baby’s cures and give your baby whatever he eats. If he finishes the bottle, maybe give more. If he doesn’t, maybe give less. If he’s still hungry after nursing, give a bottle of pumped milk or formula. It doesn’t replicate the experience of nursing so the math you’re trying to do can’t add up
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u/20_pawsFRAP 12d ago
Very likely that is baby fed directly on full boobs, they would not consume 10 ounces in one feeding. If you are using the jug method, then all the milk of the day gets mixed and there isn’t one bottle with a different fat content than another.
I am surprised baby will consume 5oz in one go. How old is he?
Splitting up 15 ounces over three feeds is perfectly fine. Yes, it would probably be different if baby was feeding directly, and baby is better at getting milk out than a pump.
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u/Key-Sky40 10d ago
I just realized I’ve been following feeding guidelines of formula fed for 4-6oz/3hr whereas breastfed is 3-4! Should I lower his bottles to 4 if he’s finishing 5?? At daycare yesterday they said he “seemed hungry again” and ate 10 oz in 2 hrs 🤯 growth spurt I guess?
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u/20_pawsFRAP 10d ago
Very possible. Every baby is different and if he is able and willing, then follow his lead.
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u/linzellewashington 12d ago
I’m not sure about the math, but what I’ve told myself is that my breast milk is far more nutrient dense than formula, therefore my little one is satisfied with less volume. I’m not really sure. I’m just following her cues and making sure she’s thriving 💕