Jen and I conducted an experiment today. (What would I do without her?) We gave E formula for a few feedings and then expressed breast milk. The formula (4 oz) held him for 2-3 hours and he was a happy baby other than being sleepy. With the breast milk was (4.5 oz) he was still very hungry after drinking the bottle and had to be given something like another 1.5 oz of formula. Then, 20 or so minutes into the drive home he had an "I'M HUNGRY!" meltdown, and I had to give him another 1.5 oz of formula. When he nurses, I get 45 mins to an hour in between the start of each feeding. He nursed great this morning and was happy, but he nursed for 15-20 mins and was hungry 45 mins later. I think we can safely say, something about my breastmilk is not filling him up. Not enough calories? Not enough fat? I have no idea. I just know with each week, the time between feedings and his discontent after feedings was getting worse and worse.
We will work with a way of combining formula and expressed breast milk and then just doing nursing when it works for both of us for bonding mainly. (And I'll be ready with formula as a back up!)
Note that he let me type this WHOLE THING while he was in my arms!! Satisfied babies are happy, wonderful babies!
He also christened his first cloth diaper today... with a leaky poop of course. What else? I will put up photos later.
Love yous all.
p.s. He just nursed GREAT after having a bottle all day. So I don't think he'll lose the ability.
p.p.s. Forgot to give a shout-out to Kaybee for having a similar idea and helping me earlier.