How do I know my breastfed baby is getting enough to eat?
For parents who are exclusively breastfeeding their babies it can be hard to know if their babies are getting enough to eat, because there is no way to see the volume of milk entering their mouths. While there may be no way to measure the exact amount they are consuming, there are plenty of other ways that you can reassure yourself that your baby is getting plenty to eat. Let’s talk about a few of them here!
Feeding based on baby’s hunger cues
One of the best ways to ensure that your baby is getting enough to eat is by following their hunger cues. Babies don’t follow schedules, and especially in the early days and months we shouldn’t and can’t expect them to. Early hunger cues include becoming more alert and active (after a period of sleep), mouth movements (smacking, sucking, or licking lips), salivating or rooting, stretching, and sucking on their fingers or fist. Crying is a late hunger cue, and crying babies should be calmed and comforted first before attempting a feed. If your baby is very sleepy and needs to be woken up for some feeds, then you should be waking them up often enough to ensure they get 8-12 feeds per 24 hours. Another way to think about this is feeding your baby every 3 hours at a minimum.
Baby is gaining weight after the first few days
It is normal, and almost guaranteed, for your baby to lose weight after birth. Within the first few days babies average weight loss is around 7%. However, around day four or five, babies should start gaining weight. This correlates with your body’s natural transition from producing small amounts of colostrum to larger volumes of breast milk. For those of you who like numbers, most babies will start to gain 25-45 grams/day by day four or five. Your pediatrician will hope to see your baby’s weight return to their birth weight by two weeks of age.
Signs of fullness after feeding
Towards the end of the feeding your baby may unlatch themselves or start to fall asleep on the breast. A full baby is generally content and relaxed if all other needs are met!
10-20 minute feedings with sustained latch and frequent suck bursts and audible swallowing
All babies feed at different rates. Some babies latch on and get right down to business, finishing a feed in 10 minutes or less with strong, sustained suck bursts and no breaks. Other babies are leisurely eaters, and take their time at the breast. They may take 20 minutes or more. As long as your baby has bursts of sucking and swallowing, they are eating! Once your baby is about a day old, you will be able to hear their swallows - a sure fire way to know that milk is entering their tummies.
Has a good latch (no cracked, bleeding nipples)
When your baby has a good latch, they will be able to transfer more milk, and you will be much more comfortable! A good latch should be relatively comfortable (yes, your nipples will be sore at first, but after the initial latch, the rest of the feed should be relatively comfortable). Your baby’s mouth should be open wide, with their lips covering much of your areola. When your baby is done the feed and detaches, your nipple should have a normal appearance - a white, flat, or pinched looking nipple can be signs of a shallow latch.
Meeting output goals
What goes in, must come out! One sure fire way to know that your baby is getting enough to eat is by keeping track of their output. In the first 24 hours, expect your baby to have one pee and one poop. Each day after that, expect one more pee and poop each day until day 6, where the output goal continues to be 6 poops and 6 pees each day.
