Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Natural Methods to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Baby coming sooner than planned...HELP

Our birthmother is going to be induced this coming week. We have always wondered about her due date because of sonograms, measurements, etc.

Anyway, I'm pumping every two hours. In the mornings I get about 2 ounces, then average about 1.5 to 1.75 ounces every two hours. I'm taking the dom, fenugreek and blessed thistle, but ran out of goat's rue.

I'm sure I have enough milk for her first two days, but what about after that? I can't seem to find any information on the internet on how much to expect a newborn to eat.

I've seen reports that her stomach will be the size of a chickpea for the first two days, a cherry (1 teaspoon) for the next 4 or 5 days, then a walnut (1 tablespoon) until six months.

I'm pumping, pumping, pumping....will I have enough?

Blessings,
Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,
I hope all goes well with the delivery!!
I can tell you that when Abigail was born a few weeks ago - she was taking about 1 - 1 1/2 oz each feeding every 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. Now that was supplementing with formula which I know makes a difference (I say supplementing but I really don't have any bm production of my own - a few cc's is all) She is 23 days old now and takes about 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 oz each feeding every 3 hours. Oops! I forgot to tell you that she weighed 8 lb 8 oz at birth.

I read somewhere on the net that to expect 2 oz per pound per day for a newborn. Another words Abigail weighed 8 1/2 pounds X 2 oz would be 17 oz per day.

Hope that helps and best wishes!
Oh yeah, get some sleep now - I know it's hard with all of the excitement but do yourself a favor and force yourself to sleep now you'll need it later.

Kim

Spoon I think you will be fine. That amount of milk each pumping is fabulous. You shouldn't have to supplement much in the beginning if at all. And remember your supply will increase once baby is at breast.

I know a mom who pumped to prepare for her baby and was getting a small amount of milk. She put baby to her breast right after birth and nursed him as much as she could those first few days. She reports that her milk "came in" the same day as the birth mom. She never had to supplement.

Every body is different of course, but try not to worry! Give your baby lots of skin-on-skin and unrestricted access to your breasts that first week and see what happens!