Is My Breastfed Baby Getting Enough Milk?

breast fed newbornIf you are a new breastfeeding mom for the first time, you may be wondering if your baby is getting enough milk.

After all, breasts are not transparent, and do not come with ounce markings, so it is hard to gauge how much milk your baby is getting.

Fortunately, it is easy to determine if your baby is getting enough milk.

The first thing you want to check is whether or not your baby is swallowing as she is nursed.

If she is swallowing, then you can be assured that there is milk (or colostrum if it is shortly after birth) present for the baby to swallow.

Next, check the number of wet diapers your baby produces. Your baby will generally produce about 1-2 wet diapers on her first day after birth.

After that the number will increase daily, and she should be producing 5 to 6 wet diapers each day by the time she is one week old.  The urine should be pale in color and have no strong odor.

By the time she is 5 days old, your baby should no longer be passing meconium; it should all be out of her body by now.

The stools of a breastfed baby are generally yellowish in color, somewhat runny, and do not have a very strong odor. They are often compared to mustard. Your baby should be producing 3 to 4 bowel movements a day after day 5.

Though your baby will lose weight after she is born, this weight loss should generally be only 5 to 7 percent of her birth weight, and she should be back up to her birth weight by the time she is about 2 weeks old. [Baby Weight]

If you have any concerns, be sure to talk with your lactation consultant. She can help you determine if your baby is getting enough milk, and talk to you about how to optimize your nursing experience.

Above all, do not give up. Most breastfeeding problems can be overcome with a little knowledge and patience.

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