I Breastfeed - How Can I Know My Baby is getting Enough Milk?

By Connie Limon

Breastfeeding is recommended most highly by the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, since you can actually see how much your baby is getting, how can you tell if he or she is getting enough through breastfeeding? Actually, there are several ways you can judge this. Your baby is getting enough milk when you observe the following:

• Your baby has frequent wet and dirty diapers
• Your baby appears satisfied after feeding
• Milk is visible during feedings (leaking or dripping)
• Your baby is gaining weight

Right after delivery, your baby should begin to have several wet or dirty diapers each day, at least for the first few days. Around the time your milk comes in, the wet diapers should increase to 6 or more per day. At this time same, baby's stools should start turning green, then yellow.

How many stools should your baby have in a 24 hour period?

• There should be 3 or more stools

What color should these stools be?

• Once breastfeeding starts going well, breastfed babies should have a yellow stool during or after each feeding.
• As baby gets older, stools may occur less often
• After one month of breastfeeding baby may skip a number of days
• If stools are soft and baby is eating and acting well, the reduction in stools, is normal

How often should a newborn baby nurse?

• Every 1 ½ to 3 hours around the clock
• Adding up all feedings over the course of the day should equal to at least 8 to 12 times a day

Other signs your baby is getting enough milk include:

• The infant will have a good latch-on response
• Infant will suckle deeply
• You will hear some swallowing
• The feeding won't be painful
• The baby should appear satisfied and/or sleep until time for next feeding

If your baby sleeps for longer than 4 hours at a time in the first 2 weeks, wake baby up for a feeding. If baby does not awaken enough to eat at least 8 times per day, you need to call the pediatrician for instruction.

Other ways to tell how much milk your baby is getting include:

• How much your child weighs at each doctor's visit? Is the baby gaining weight? This is one of the best ways to tell how much milk your baby is getting.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be seen for an office visit (or home visit) between 3 to 5 days of age to check on breastfeeding and baby's weight.

Most infants lose several ounces of weight during the first week; however, baby should be back up to their birth weight by the end of the second week. Your baby should gain between ½ and 1 ounce per day during the first 3 months and once your milk supply is established.

What are some of the signs of infant hunger?

• Small movements as baby starts to awaken
• Whimpering or lip-smacking
• Pulling up arms or legs toward the middle
• Stretching or yawning
• Waking and looking alert
• Putting hands toward mouth
• Making sucking motions
• Moving fists to her mouth
• Becoming more active
• Nuzzling against your breast

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

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© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about breastfeeding infants visit http://smalldogs2.com/BreastfeedingInfants The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued a policy that strongly supports breastfeeding. Our web site is in firm agreement with this policy. For a variety of FREE reprint articles visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

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