How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?
During the first couple of weeks, you may wonder if your baby is getting enough milk, especially if he wants to feed all the time or is unsettled after feeds. Once the first sleepy day or two have passed, your baby should seem to be hungry often. And he probably is, since breastmilk is digested within a couple of hours of consumption.
Most newborns want to breastfeed eight to 15 times a day after the first three to four days of life, which will probably have settled down to six to eight times a day by the end of the first week. Feed your baby as often as he needs it. Routines have no place in your day while you're getting breastfeeding under way. Unfortunately, weighing the baby in the first few days will probably not reassure you, since newborns normally lose five to 10% of their birthweight in the first three days. However after three or so days, your baby should start to gain weight again and if he is weighed again at five to seven days, you should be able to see that he is starting to grow. Don’t be disheartened if your baby doesn’t show much of weight gain, some babies gain weight soon while others may take a while. If your baby had problems latching on, the weight loss in the initial days may be slightly more.
There are some ways to gauge if 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 doctor if anything seems amiss. These include:
• Your baby feeding at least six to eight times a day for the first two to three weeks.
• Your breasts being emptied and feeling softer after feeds.
• Your baby having a healthy colour and firm skin -- it bounces right back if pinched.
• The number of wet nappies starting to increase by the fifth day, or producing at least six to eight wet nappies in a 24-hour period. (It's easier to tell if a non-disposable nappy is wet than a disposable.) Your baby's urine should be pale and odourless.
• Being able to see him swallow while he is feeding.
• Producing yellowy-mustard stools or frequent dark stools, or the stools beginning to lighten in colour by the fifth day after birth.
Most newborns want to breastfeed eight to 15 times a day after the first three to four days of life, which will probably have settled down to six to eight times a day by the end of the first week. Feed your baby as often as he needs it. Routines have no place in your day while you're getting breastfeeding under way. Unfortunately, weighing the baby in the first few days will probably not reassure you, since newborns normally lose five to 10% of their birthweight in the first three days. However after three or so days, your baby should start to gain weight again and if he is weighed again at five to seven days, you should be able to see that he is starting to grow. Don’t be disheartened if your baby doesn’t show much of weight gain, some babies gain weight soon while others may take a while. If your baby had problems latching on, the weight loss in the initial days may be slightly more.
There are some ways to gauge if 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 doctor if anything seems amiss. These include:
• Your baby feeding at least six to eight times a day for the first two to three weeks.
• Your breasts being emptied and feeling softer after feeds.
• Your baby having a healthy colour and firm skin -- it bounces right back if pinched.
• The number of wet nappies starting to increase by the fifth day, or producing at least six to eight wet nappies in a 24-hour period. (It's easier to tell if a non-disposable nappy is wet than a disposable.) Your baby's urine should be pale and odourless.
• Being able to see him swallow while he is feeding.
• Producing yellowy-mustard stools or frequent dark stools, or the stools beginning to lighten in colour by the fifth day after birth.
What are the warning signs that my baby isn't getting enough milk?
Signs that your baby isn't getting adequate milk usually include most of the following:
• Your baby does not begin to regain his birthweight and put on weight after the first few days.
• Your breasts don't feel softer after feeds.
• Your baby is unsettled, cranky or lethargic most of the time.
• Your baby has dimples in his cheeks or makes clicking noises while breastfeeding. (This is a sign that your baby is not latched on properly and you will need to get expert help from your doctor or infant feeding specialist to make sure that your technique is right)
• Your baby is wetting fewer than six to eight nappies in a 24-hour period after the five days following birth. The colour of the urine may occasionally be darker and not a cause of worry. You may however bring it to your doctor’s notice.
• Your baby doesn't have a bowel movement at least once a day or is having small, dark stools five days or more after birth.
• He becomes more yellow, instead of less, after the first week.
• He does not develop a rounded face by about three weeks.
• Your baby's skin remains wrinkled after the first week.
If you're concerned about any of these signs, call your doctor.
You will be giving your baby enough milk if:
• Your baby is latched on well at the breast and feeds on demand
• Feeding is comfortable and painless
• Your baby changes rhythm whilst sucking and pauses during feeds, starts feeding again without prompting, and comes off the breast spontaneously when he's finished.
If your baby is showing these signs, then it is very unlikely that you are underfeeding him. One of the hardest things about beginning a breastfeeding relationship is feeling confident that you are giving your baby enough milk. No doubt you are, but you shouldn't hesitate, in the early days of breastfeeding, to get reassurance and help from your doctor and perhaps speak to a friend who has been nursing for a while.
Traditionally, fenugreek seeds or methi dana is recommended to increase breastmilk. You may want to soak about half a teaspoon in water overnight and drink the water with the seeds in the morning. It is also essential that you eat awell balanced diet and try not to worry too much about whether you are able to provide adequate milk to your baby.
• Your baby does not begin to regain his birthweight and put on weight after the first few days.
• Your breasts don't feel softer after feeds.
• Your baby is unsettled, cranky or lethargic most of the time.
• Your baby has dimples in his cheeks or makes clicking noises while breastfeeding. (This is a sign that your baby is not latched on properly and you will need to get expert help from your doctor or infant feeding specialist to make sure that your technique is right)
• Your baby is wetting fewer than six to eight nappies in a 24-hour period after the five days following birth. The colour of the urine may occasionally be darker and not a cause of worry. You may however bring it to your doctor’s notice.
• Your baby doesn't have a bowel movement at least once a day or is having small, dark stools five days or more after birth.
• He becomes more yellow, instead of less, after the first week.
• He does not develop a rounded face by about three weeks.
• Your baby's skin remains wrinkled after the first week.
If you're concerned about any of these signs, call your doctor.
You will be giving your baby enough milk if:
• Your baby is latched on well at the breast and feeds on demand
• Feeding is comfortable and painless
• Your baby changes rhythm whilst sucking and pauses during feeds, starts feeding again without prompting, and comes off the breast spontaneously when he's finished.
If your baby is showing these signs, then it is very unlikely that you are underfeeding him. One of the hardest things about beginning a breastfeeding relationship is feeling confident that you are giving your baby enough milk. No doubt you are, but you shouldn't hesitate, in the early days of breastfeeding, to get reassurance and help from your doctor and perhaps speak to a friend who has been nursing for a while.
Traditionally, fenugreek seeds or methi dana is recommended to increase breastmilk. You may want to soak about half a teaspoon in water overnight and drink the water with the seeds in the morning. It is also essential that you eat awell balanced diet and try not to worry too much about whether you are able to provide adequate milk to your baby.
