How can I tell whether my baby's getting enough breast milk?During the first couple of weeks, you may wonder if your baby's getting enough milk, especially if he wants to nurse all the time or is fussy after feedings. Because breast milk is digested within a couple of hours of consumption, your baby should seem hungry all the time (that is, every one to three hours) once the first sleepy day or two have passed.
Most newborns want to nurse eight to 15 times a day after the first three to four days of life. Feed your baby as often as he needs it. Schedules have no place in your routine while you're getting breastfeeding under way.
Lactation consultants and pediatricians can tell whether your baby's getting enough milk by how much weight he gains. Newborns normally lose between 5 and 9 percent of their birth weight before regaining it by the time they're 2 weeks old. They should start gaining at least an ounce a day by the fifth day after birth. Have your baby's doctor check his weight if you're concerned.
There are other ways to gauge whether your baby's getting enough milk, and there are signs that he may not be receiving enough. Dehydration in newborns is rare, but it's important to know the signs of a healthy eater so you can alert your pediatrician if anything seems amiss.
Signs that all's well:
• Your baby eats at least every two to three hours or at least eight times a day for the first two to three weeks.
• In the first month, your baby has at least three stools a day and they lighten to a yellowy-mustard color by the fifth day after birth. After the first month, the stools become less frequent. Some babies will even go a day or two between stools.
• He's gaining an ounce a day by the fifth day after birth until at least 3 months of age.
• He wets seven or eight cloth diapers a day, or five to six disposables. Disposable diapers are more absorbent, making it hard to tell when one is wet. If you're not sure, take one off and compare its weight to a dry disposable. A wet one should feel slightly heavier. (Note: Wet diapers alone are not enough to determine whether your baby is getting enough milk. A dehydrated baby can still wet a diaper. Stools and weight gain are the best ways to tell how your baby's doing.)
• You can hear your baby swallowing while nursing (if the room is quiet).
• Your breasts feel softer after nursing.
Warning signs that your baby isn't getting enough
Signs that your baby isn't getting adequate milk usually include most of the following:
• Your baby has lost 10 percent or more of his birth weight in the first five days of life. Remember, it's normal for a newborn to lose between 5 and 9 percent of his birth weight right off the bat. But by the fifth day, he should start gaining at least an ounce a day.
• You rarely hear your baby swallow.
• Your breasts don't feel softer after nursing.
• Your baby is fussy or lethargic much of the time.
• Your baby has dimples in his cheeks or makes clicking noises while nursing.
• Your baby is wetting fewer than six diapers in a 24-hour period after the five days following birth.
• Your baby doesn't have a bowel movement at least once a day or has small, dark stools five days or more after birth.
If you notice any of these signs, call your doctor or a breastfeeding consultant.
One of the hardest things about beginning breastfeeding is feeling confident that you're giving your baby enough milk. Don't hesitate to check in with a nurse or lactation consultant. Typically, you'll feed your baby while the consultant observes you and gives you invaluable tips for breastfeeding success.
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