Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply How much milk does newborn drink?

We have a good chance of being matched with a birthmom who is due very soon ... I am making 9-14 oz per day, pumping 4-5 x per day (I am increasing to 8-10 today!, just in case). How much breastmilk does the average newborn drink per 24 hours? (I need to know if I have to bring some of my stored milk to get her from TX, or if I have enough). Thanks ladies! Mindy

Good luck on your match! I hope it works out and goes smoothly. My newborn weighed 6 lbs, 5 oz and ate 1 to 1 1/2 ounces every 2 to 3 hours. It fluctuated based on how sleepy she got. You have a nice supply going. I only had one week's notice and am trying to catch up. Last pumping, I produced 1 ounce. I'm trying to get 10 minutes 8 times per day after baby feeds but it's very hard with everything else going on. I've been using the lact-aid. Baby girl is 17 days old today.

Let us compare notes and tricks of the trade.

Hope you will be joining me soon.

So, I need to plan about 24 oz per 24 hours, right?
Karie, I have been watching your posts...congratulations! I just haven't replied as my sons have been sick with a nasty flu! We're finally on the tail end! I have been so excited for you! We should know my tomorrow-Fri or Mon if she's chosen us. Agency won't tell us when she's due, not wanting us to panic....meaning VERY SOON! I've pumped 5x today and will pump 2-3 more before night is through and nurse 2nd (bio) son (4 y.o.) to sleep tonite yet. I cna't help but have my hopes WAY up! Thanks for your support! Mindy

Hi Mindy:
I think it would be a maximum of: 1.5 oz x 10x's per day = 15 ounces. Make it 16 oz and then be ready to pull your frozen supply if your baby (fingers crossed) needs more. The nursery liked to give her 1.5 every 3 hours but the pediatrician said that stretches their stomach and she preferred 1 ounce every 2 hours. That was hard to maintain so we did something in the middle.

We had access to the hotel freezer next to the breakfast buffet. It was better than that little one in your room. Just an idea: Why don't you call ahead for freezer arrangements in case you arrive after hours when the service people aren't there?

Little one is at my breast as I type this. I didn't breastfeed again last night, resorting to bottles instead of lact-aid. I was just so tired and she was crying. My breastfeeding isn't well-established yet.

Hey that's good news...15-16 oz! Guess what? We DID get matched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Birthmom is due Nov 15! Found out Fri and increased my pumping to 8-9x per day...but now I am only getting 9-11oz per 24 hrs! Why is this happening? (I was getting 14- 15 oz when pumping 5-6x per day!) I emailed Lenore and am listing a separate post. Any ideas?
I am also really scared about b-mom changing her mind...were you scared?

Hi
Congratulations! Yes, it's scary right up to the point that the papers become binding. But if she has made the right decision, she will go through with it. Even if she entertains the idea of changing her mind when she sees the baby.

I'm not sure why you saw a sudden drop in milk production. Waiting to hear the advice.

I'm still battling an uphill battle to produce more. More later . . . . .

Congrats again!

Hi ladies,
I just "joined" this website and was so blessed to read your messages back and forth.
I, too, have just been recently matched with a birthmom and birthdad. Everything looks good and the baby is due early December, but I have that same scared feeling you described.
I called a friend to ask for her advice on home preparation for the baby and very calmly told her what was going on and she practically chastised me for seeming so non-plussed. It's almost like I have to "control" that emotional "WOOPEEEE!" feeling to protect myself. Meanwhile, I can hardly fall asleep at night for the excitement and find myself awake hours before the alarm goes off, almost like a kid at Christmas.
Anyway-- I'm doing Accelerated Protocol to prepare and will be interested to see how well other "last minute mommas" do with breast feeding.
Thanks for sharing your details. The 1 oz. figure really made me feel better.
I did the longer term protocol (yasmin for a full year-- YIKES! dom throughout), pumped from May 05- late June 05, but then stopped because there was no baby on the horizon. The most I got was 1 oz. a day. Lenore thinks that's largely due to HOW I was pumping. I hope for more success this time around.
I just keep telling myself-- it's not just about the milk I produce. It's the bonding. It's the love.
I'm glad there are other people out there to share with.
Thanks, ladies.

Congratulations! I know, it's frustrating when people are not as excited as they are worried. There are optimistic ans pessimistic people in this world. I comfort myself with the reality that those that are being "cautious" TRULY are only that way because they love and care for you so much that they couldn't bear to see you devistated if the worst would happen. Know it comes from a place of love and that makes their scepticism tollerable.
I know...I can't sleep either and I don't mind it a bit! Even with 2 young boys to chase around!
What are your pumping issues...maybe I can help?
Warmly,
Mindy

Thanks for the note, Mindy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
And for the offer to help with pumping issues.
From what Lenore told me, it seems like I wasn't pumping for a long enough time... I needed to pump at night at least once... and I was probably doing some damage to my poor boob tissues by cranking my PIS up to "maximum." Lenore actually wonders if my pump could have a crack or something that is keeping it from doing the job.
I won't start pumping again for a few more weeks... so I will definitely have more questions then!
Have a good Thursday!
Heather

Hi Ladies, our match fell through. Baby girl was born Fri am and she has decided not to place. I am devastated. Thank God for my 2 sons, or I would really be a wreck. How do I get through this. I feel like I don't even want to be matched again. Mindy