How can I tell if my baby is getting enough to eat?

When breastfeeding your baby you should see his jaws moving in a steady rhythm and hear or see him swallowing milk after every 2-3 sucks. At the end of a feeding, your breast should feel softer and lighter. You may also see milk pooling in his mouth. These are good signs that your baby is getting milk. Ways to know he's getting enough from birth to 6 weeks: ~~~Birth to 6 Weeks~~~ WEIGHT GAIN: If baby is gaining well on mom’s milk alone, then baby is getting enough. A 5-7% weight loss during the first 3-4 days after birth is normal. Baby should regain birth weight by 10-14 days. By day 5, average weight gain is 2/3-1 ounces per day (5-7 ounces/week). If these goals are not met, call your lactation consultant. WET DIAPERS: 6+ wet diapers per day (by day 6). Expect one wet diaper on day one, increasing to 6+ by day 6. To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of water into a clean diaper (if baby wets more often, then the amount of urine per diaper may be less). Urine should be pale and mild smelling. DIRTY DIAPERS: 3 – 5+ dirty diapers per day (by day 6). Stools should be yellow and seedy (no meconium) by day 5 and the size of a US quarter (2.5 centimeters) or larger. The normal stool of a breastfed baby is usually bright yellow and very loose (soft to watery, may be seedy or curdy). At 6 weeks some babies switch to less frequent but large bowel movements. More on infant stooling click on link below OTHER POSITIVE SIGNS: After a feeding, mom’s breast feels softer and baby seems reasonably content. Baby is alert, active and meeting developmental milestones.

breasfed baby stool

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1. Is my body ready to breastfeed?
2. How do I know when my baby is hungry?
3. How should I hold my baby when I feed him?
4. What is Laid-back breastfeeding?
5. My breasts feel too full. Do I have too much milk?
6. How can I tell if my baby is getting enough to eat?
7. How do I know my baby is full?
8. How do I feed my sleepy baby?
9. Do I have too little milk?
10. Engorgement and Plugged Ducts
11. Do I have flat or inverted nipples?
12. Sore nipples
13. How do I calm my fussy baby?
14. Calming a Colicky Breastfed Baby
15. Breastmilk Storage and Collection
16. How should I care for myself after my baby is born?
17. How do I know when to call my doctor?
18. Vitamin D and Breastfeeding
19. What are my rights as a breastfeeding mother?
20. Will I spoil my baby if I pick him up when he cries?
21. What if my family doesn't support breastfeeding?