Triple feeding is an intensive, temporary feeding plan designed for newborns who are not receiving enough nutrition directly at the breast, while simultaneously working to increase the parent’s milk production. This strategy is frequently recommended by pediatricians or lactation consultants to ensure the infant receives adequate calories for growth while attempting to establish or improve a successful nursing relationship. It is a highly structured routine that acts as a bridge, allowing the baby to thrive while the root cause of the feeding difficulty is identified and resolved.
The Three Components of Triple Feeding
The triple feeding method is cyclical, involving a specific sequence of three actions at every feeding session, typically occurring every two to three hours around the clock.
The first component is nursing or attempting to nurse the baby at the breast, often for 10 to 20 minutes per side. This step provides the infant with practice at latching and milk transfer. It also stimulates prolactin production, the hormone responsible for making milk.
Following the nursing session, the second step requires the parent to pump both breasts for approximately 15 to 20 minutes using a high-quality electric pump. This action effectively removes milk from the breast, which is the primary signal to the body to increase milk supply. Regular milk removal is necessary to up-regulate the supply-and-demand mechanism of lactation.
The final component is supplementing the baby with expressed breast milk or formula to ensure they receive their full caloric needs. This supplement is given after the nursing and pumping steps, using a method that supports breastfeeding, such as a syringe, cup, at-breast supplementer, or a slow-flow bottle. This third step ensures the baby’s nutritional requirements are met, promoting consistent weight gain.
Why Triple Feeding is Recommended
This intensive feeding regimen is recommended when there are concerns about the infant’s health or the parent’s milk production.
The primary clinical reason for its recommendation is insufficient infant weight gain, especially if the baby has lost too much weight after birth or is failing to thrive according to established growth curves. Triple feeding ensures the baby receives adequate calories to gain weight and maintain healthy development while the underlying issue is addressed.
It is also advised in cases of confirmed low maternal milk supply, where the parent’s body is not producing enough volume to meet the baby’s needs. Incorporating post-feed pumping leverages the principles of supply and demand to increase production volume.
Triple feeding is often utilized when an infant has an ineffective latch or poor suckling skills. These issues might result from prematurity, oral anomalies, or significant jaundice causing lethargy. For infants transitioning back to the breast after being bottle-fed or tube-fed, the method provides a structured way to practice nursing without risking inadequate intake. A healthcare provider or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) monitors the baby’s weight and diaper output closely to determine when the regimen is no longer necessary.
Navigating the Demands and Duration of the Process
Triple feeding requires a significant time commitment, often consuming 60 to 90 minutes for each cycle, repeated eight to twelve times daily. This continuous loop of nursing, supplementing, and pumping leaves little time for rest, often leading to considerable sleep deprivation for the primary caregiver. Managing the logistics of sterilizing pump parts and bottles after every session adds further strain to the demanding schedule.
This routine can be emotionally taxing, causing parents to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or frustrated by the lack of downtime. It is important to understand that this is a temporary intervention, not a permanent lifestyle, typically maintained for only two to four weeks. Enlisting support from a partner or other caregivers is invaluable, as delegating tasks like bottle-feeding and cleaning pump equipment helps preserve the parent’s energy.
Managing the Schedule
To manage the intense schedule, many parents set up dedicated feeding stations with all necessary supplies, including water, snacks, and entertainment. Focusing on the short-term goal—a healthy, growing baby and an established milk supply—helps maintain perspective during this intensive phase. Regular check-ins with the lactation consultant are important to ensure the plan is effective and to prevent emotional stress from becoming detrimental to mental health.
Transitioning Back to Exclusive Nursing
The goal of triple feeding is to transition the baby back to exclusive feeding at the breast or to a more manageable feeding plan. This process begins once markers of success are consistently observed, specifically sustained weight gain in the baby and a noticeable increase in the parent’s milk supply. A lactation consultant will perform a weighted feed, measuring the milk transferred by weighing the baby immediately before and after nursing.
When the baby consistently transfers enough milk, the parent can begin gradually weaning off supplemental feeds. This is done by slowly reducing the volume of the supplement offered after each nursing session, perhaps by a small amount every few days, while closely monitoring the baby’s output and satisfaction.
The pump can then be phased out, often by dropping one pumping session at a time, or by reducing the duration of each session. Working with a lactation consultant throughout this transition is necessary to ensure the reduction in supplementation and pumping does not negatively impact the baby’s weight gain. A patient, gradual approach is necessary for a successful return to exclusive nursing, as moving too quickly risks a return to initial feeding challenges.