We tried this three times with the same result, and then it was recommended we use formula. She is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a retired La Leche League Leader. Some mothers who end up with very abundant milk supplies might not even be able to express this amount. Your baby does not require large quantities of your milk in his first days of life. Newborns do need to be nursed at least 10 to 12 times each day.
Many babies breastfeed even more often in the early days.
It is normal, with frequent feeds, to see your milk supply beginning to increase over the next three to five days following your baby's birth. It is very rare to physically not be able to produce enough milk to feed your baby. Most of the time, true milk insufficiency is the result of poorly managed breastfeeding. If supplementation would become necessary, due to insufficient output, and an initial weight loss of more than 10 percent of his birth weight, begin expressing your milk. You will know if your baby is getting enough milk by watching his output.