30/06/2021
❗"Is my baby getting enough breastmilk ?"❗
So☝🏻 ... Many mom's feel or are sometimes told that they need to supplement with formula because baby is 'hungry' or "maybe your milk is not enough or just not feeding baby properly.." 🙄
So let's look at the signs of a well fed baby 👶:
☝🏻Your baby is nursing frequently, 8-12 times per 24 hour period.
☝🏻Your baby seems content and happy after a feed, releasing the breast on their own. Their hands may be in fists before feeding, they will then often relax and open.
☝🏻Your baby is gaining weight!
☝🏻Baby has periods of obvious gulping of milk during sessions. This is where baby is getting larger mouthfuls of milk because mom is having a letdown. Baby’s rapid sucking encouraging the letdown slows during these periods to one suck per second as larger volumes of milk fill their mouths before they swallow, and watching their throats will show the rise and fall that occurs with swallowing.
☝🏻Your baby’s stools transition to yellow with a loose and seedy texture by day five. Baby should have 3-4 stools every day by four days of age.
Baby may not pass much urine at first but this increases each day. By day two look for two wet diapers (nappies) over 24 hours, days three and four look for three or more wet diapers each 24 hours. By the time your baby is five days old, wet diapers should be more frequent, usually six or more over 24 hours.‼️
📣It can be tricky to tell if disposable diapers are wet – after five full days, when copious milk comes in, they should be heavy.📣
☝🏻Many disposable diapers have a faint line down the middle which changes color when wet.
Baby is alert and active when awake, and meeting their developmental milestones.
❓❓WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS THAT MY BABY MIGHT NOT BE GETTING ENOUGH MILK? ❓❓
☝🏻a Baby who is not getting enough milk seems very sleepy 💤or lethargic.⚠️ Babies who aren’t getting enough milk will have low energy. Baby regularly will sleep 4 or more hours at a time.
Baby takes too little or too much time at the breast. A baby who is not feeding well may fall asleep shortly after beginning to feed, or may take longer than 30-40 minutes per feed. Contrary to popular belief that a hungry baby does not sleep..
☝🏻Latching is painful or appears shallow. A poor latch can prevent baby from getting enough milk.😶
☝🏻Baby hasn’t regained their birth weight by 10-14 days old or weight gain is slower than expected.
☝🏻Baby is not stooling often (they should have 3-4 stools per day by four days old). Baby’s urine is not pale, and/or you see reddish-brown “brick dust” in the diaper. If your baby does not have enough dirty and wet diapers per day they run the risk of dehydration! Please seek help from your pediatrician in this case!😊
What can I do to create more milk?🐄
☝🏻 Contact a lactation consultant. They are amazing in what they do and will offer the correct advice!
☝🏻Breastfeed more often. Breastfeed often and let your baby decide when to stop feeding. ..
☝🏻Pump between feedings. Pumping between feedings can also help you increase milk production. ...( ❗If your baby is healthy and gaining weight well, and there is no anticipated need for separation, it is recommended to wait to use a pump until around 6 weeks old, instead using hand expression to remove excess milk🐄 .)
☝🏻Breastfeed from both sides ...
☝🏻Lactation cookies/ bars ...
☝🏻Other foods, herbs, and supplements. (Please consult your lactation consultant before trying anything to increase supply🙏)
☝🏻Stay hydrated!
‼️‼️ Remember mom's ‼️‼️
👌🏻Sleep is a milestone! 💤
👌🏻 Baby wanting to feed often or all day long is completely normal!
🥰BREASTFEEDING IS MORE THAN MILK.🥰
The physical act of breastfeeding is more than the quantity of milk that is supplied,☝🏻 as you will find when you hold your baby in your arms.🥰Breastfeeding is warmth, nutrition, and love all rolled into one😍🐄😍. Understanding and appreciating the signs of knowing when your baby is getting enough to eat is the one of the most important things you can learn.😊 If you have any concerns regarding your baby, they should be addressed with your health care provider.
Joining a La Leche League is very beneficial! You will be sure to get the best (and correct) breastfeeding advice. 🐄😊
Hope this helps!
Love,
TeacherMom