Loading ...Aug
How Do I Know if My Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk?
As a breastfeeding mother, I always was always concerned about my milk supply, how much baby was getting, and his weight gain. It’s not always obvious that your baby is getting milk while nursing so here is a list of ways to tell if your baby is getting enough breast milk.
In no particular order…
1) Weigh them before and after each feeding. (LCs do this to determine milk supply)
2) Watch for your baby’s jaw movements to see if they are swallowing.
3) Listen for the sounds of swallowing.
4) Pay attention to their swallowing: If they suck, then stop, then flutter, then suck, they are most likely coaxing your milk to let down. Once they are actually getting milk, you will notice a nutritive suck that has a steady rhythm that continues (usually) without pauses.
5) Count wet diapers. Remember that today’s disposable diapers are ultra absorbent so it may not always be obvious that your baby has urinated by sight or touch. Look for a yellowish tint in some good light. My doctor said to look for 6-8 really wet diapers per 24 hour period. If they don’t feel wet, compare them to a dry diaper and you should feel a big difference in their weight. And remember, if you are breastfeeding, and your milk has not come in yet, baby may not have this many wet diapers at first.
6) Observe your baby’s behavior after a feeding. Does she seem content or is she crying bloody murder and seems to still be hungry? (Note that not getting enough milk is one a few reasons that your baby might be crying after feeding, including acid-reflux so be sure to talk to your pediatrician if this is a common occurrence.)
