Is my baby getting enough milk? Here is how to know…
Breastfeeding can be challenging since it’s hard to tell exactly how much breastmilk your baby is receiving. Here are 5 signs your new baby is getting enough:
1. Your baby nurses frequently
Your baby nurses at least 8-12 times in 24 hours (every 2-3 hours). Baby’s tummies are TINY, so it doesn’t take much breastmilk to fill them up. So, they end up feeding very frequently.
Here is a tip for sleepy baby: undress your baby and place the baby skin to skin. Being skin to skin helps stimulate the baby’s reflexes to encourage frequent feedings.
2. You are responding to baby’s feeding cues
You are feeding the baby at the first signs of hunger (rooting, hand-to-mouth activity, grunting) and you don’t wait until your baby has started crying.
3. Your baby’s weight
Almost all breastfeeding babies lose some weight in the first few days after birth, If the baby is getting enough breastmilk, they won’t lose more than 7-10% of of ther birth weight and they regain it by day 10-14. During the first two weeks it’s important to have the baby’s weight checked to make sure the baby is on track to being back at birth weight by 2 weeks of age.
4. Your baby is having plenty of wet and dirty diapers
If your baby is getting breastmilk, they will have lots of wet and dirty diapers. For the first 5 days, your baby should have at least one wet and dirty diaper for each day of life (1 pee and 1 poop on day 1, 2 pees and 2 poops on day 2, etc.) After that you can expect about 5-8 wet diapers and 3-4 yellow and seedy stools per day.
5. Your baby is “milk-drunk” after feeding
Babies who are feeding well seem to get “milk-drunk” on breastmilk. Your baby should seem satisfied at the end of a feeding. If your baby self-detaches, looks relaxed, and becomes drowsy or sleepy, your baby has most likely had enough. However, your baby might wake up within a few minutes wanting to be “topped off.” If that happens, just offer your breast again.
Still concerned or worried that your baby isn’t getting enough milk? We cna help with that! Schedule a post-partum lactation consultation with one of our amazing IBCLCs! We offer visits in the comfort of your home, in one of our convenient office locations or even virtually by telehealth.
