Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?

Babies give us "signs" to let us know they're getting enough to eat. This is handy, after all, as you want to make sure that your baby is receiving all the nourishment she needs and,  you can't actually see how much milk she is taking in during each nursing session.

Let the following signs be a good guide that your breastfeeding baby is getting enough:

• Your breasts feel softer after nursing (your baby has emptied some of the milk that was making them firm. And you're hearing the sucking and swallowing sounds associated with that emptying.
• After a feeding, your baby seems relaxed and satisfied.
• After gaining back her initial weight loss after birth (within 10-14 days), your baby continues to gain weight. Consult with a lactation consultant and/or your baby's doctor for more details about your baby's growth, but on average, a good weight gain is 1/2 oz-1 oz/d in the early days of life.
• In the first few days, when your baby is getting your valuable colostrum, she may have only one or two wet diapers a day. After your milk comes in however, your baby will wet six to eight diapers per day.
• In the first month, your baby has at least three stools a day, and they lighten to a seedy-yellowy/mustard color by the fifth day after birth. She may have less frequent bowel movements once she's around 2 months old. In fact, it's not uncommon for breastfed babies to skip a day of bowel movements now and then. Once she's eating solid foods, at 6 months, she'll probably become quite regular and go back to having at least one bowel movement a day.

During every breastfeeding session, let your baby end the feeding. Your baby will let go or fall asleep when he is no longer hungry. He will look very content. If needed, break suction before you take baby off your breast by gently sliding your finger between your baby’s gums and into his mouth.