Newborn Feeding Concerns: Low Intake & Weight Gain - Expert Advice

Question
Hi Cheri,
Our baby is 8 days old and is only eating 1 oz of pumped breast milk a feeding every 3 hours.  He was in the hospital up to 6 days old and was up to 3 oz of formula every 3 hours.  He is wet just about every feeding so I can not figure out what is going on.  Is there something I can do or need to do to get him to eat more?  I am worried he will not gain weight, he only weighs 5 lbs 14 oz.
Thanks,
Alycia

Answer
Hello Alycia. WHY are you bottle feeding breastmilk? This baby needs to be sucking at the breast and you need to work VERY hard to accomplish this. I want you to contact your local La Leche League Leader NOW- the minute you read this message. LLL is the TRUE expert on breastfeeding - NOT your lactation consultant, nurse, dr, mother or friends. The sooner you get baby nursing, the better. The longer he gets bottle nipples, the harder it will be to get him to suck at the breast. Any supplement of breast milk or formula must come from a tiny spoon or eye dropper- ALL sucking must be at the breast. Now- find your LLL Leader and call her. Hope that helps- Cheri.