I am breastfeeding.
How do I know that my baby is getting enough?
This is a common question of breastfeeding moms. Most newborns breastfeed 8-12 times each day, usually about every 1 1/2 to 3 hours. At first, you should follow your newborns cues and feed him on demand. You do not need to be quick to get him on a schedule.
Some signs that your newborn may be hungry include sucking on his lips or fingers, being fussy or being fidgety (although crying is not always a sign of hunger, especially if he has recently eaten) and rooting, or turning his head looking for food. Crying is usually a late sign of hunger.
Although most milk is released in the first ten minutes of a feeding, most babies will breast feed for fifteen to sixty minutes. While not as much milk is produced toward the end of a feeding, this hind milk contains much more fat and calories than the milk at the beginning of the feeding. It is therefore important to allow your baby to breast feed until he is finished, at which time he will lose interest or fall asleep.
If you breastfeed too frequently and for short times, then you may produce breastmilk that is very high in carbohydrates and low in fat. This can lead your baby to be fussy or colicky (colic) if he is not able to digest or handle the extra carbohydrates.
You will probably want to switch breasts after he is finished with the first breast (usually about 5-10 minutes, but may be longer). You will know if your baby is finished if he no longer seems to be swallowing as much breastmilk. It is necessary to break the seal before removing him from the breast. Place your finger into the corner of your baby's mouth to break the suction and then burp him and reposition him so he can latch on to your other breast.
When your baby is finished with the second breast, you should again break the seal and burp him. Consider alternating which breast you begin feeding with or you may choose to start with whichever breast seems the fullest.
Breast milk is digested more quickly than formula, so you may need to breast feed your baby every one and a half to three hours. Again, at first you should feed on demand, until your baby gets into his own routine.
You can be confident that your newborn (after he is at least three to four days old) is getting enough when breastfeeding if he is having 5-6 soaking wet disposable diapers (7-8 cloth diapers) and at least 2, preferably 5, yellow, runny poops each day (at least until he is a month old).
He should also be gaining about 1/2 - 1 ounce each day, but keep in mind that most babies lose about 5-8% of their birth weight in the first week of life. They have usually stopped losing weight by day 3-5 and have regained this weight and reached their birth weight again by the time they are 7-14 days old.
Don't wait until your two week visit with your Pediatrician to determine if you are breastfeeding effectively. Although it is very reassuring when a breastfed baby has regained or passed their birthweight by the two week checkup, if your baby is underweight because he is not breastfeeding effectively, then you may have delayed getting help if you wait until he is two weeks old. Trust your instincts, and if your baby is not having regular wet diapers or bowel movements, then call your Pediatrician or see a lactation consultant to get help.
Reasons that a breastfed infant may not be gaining weight or feeding effectively include not feeding often enough or long enough, not latching on effectively, not producing enough milk, or not sucking effectively.
Signs that he may not be breastfeeding effectively include having less than 6 very wet diapers each day, less than three stools each day, continued weight loss after he is ten days old, and/or failure to regain his birthweight by his two week checkup.
Although most breastfeeding problems can be solved without supplementing, sometimes you may need to supplement your breastfeeding baby with formula, especially if they have lost more than 10% of their birth weight or continue to lose weight after they are ten days old. You should do this in consultation with your lactation consultant or Pediatrician to make sure that you are doing everything possible to ensure that you can continue breastfeeding and eventually stop supplementing once you are breastfeeding effectively and your baby is growing well. You may be able to use a cup or a supplemental feeding device instead of a bottle if you do need to supplement to prevent nipple confusion.
Most Pediatricians recommend a recheck within twenty four to forty eight hours if you are breastfeeding for the first time and were discharged home early from the nursery.
Breastfeeding Resources:
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