Expert topic - Breastfeeding: is my baby getting enough milk?
This week’s Health Expert is Aideen from themilkmam.ie, a qualified lactation consultant and midwife. She is here to give us her advice on a common question in breastfeeding - How do I know my baby is getting enough milk from me in the early weeks of life?
1. It comes down firstly to nappy output. What goes in must come out!
What to expect?
Newborn day 1: 1 x wet, 1 x Poo (black tarry poo!)
Day 2: 2 x wet, 2 x Poo
Day 3: 3 x wet, 3 x Poo (Lighter brown than day 1)
Day 4: 4 x wet, 3-4 x Poo
Day 5: 5 x wet, 3-4 x Poo
Day 6: 6 x wet, 3-4 x Poo (mustard seed, yellow).
This tells you 2 important things.
Firstly, your baby is getting plenty of milk by having increasing numbers of wet nappies day on day in the first week. Ultimately having about 6 wet nappies a day going forward. Secondly, it tells you that they are clearing out their little gut of all that black, tarry meconium (first poo) and processing breastmilk (the mustard seed colour poo).
Have faith in your ability to provide the milk. Your baby will gradually increase your supply over the first 3 weeks of feeding.
2. Weight.
We expect an exclusively breastfed baby to return to their birth weight by 2-3 weeks of age.
Your baby is usually weighed before discharge from hospital (but not before 48 hours of age).
Then again at the 2 week baby check with your GP or back in your maternity hospital.
The PHN (Public Health Nurse) might also do a weight when you first come home (usually within the first week of your baby’s life).
3. Signs of a satisfied baby at the end of a feed:
Your baby will often demonstrate hunger cues when looking to feed.
These cues can be opening mouth, sticking tongue out, bringing fists to face.
Eventually they will start crying for you to respond.
Baby’s fists are usually clenched at the start of a feed.
His/her hands are relaxed and open when they have had a fill of milk.
If you wish to know more about how to help build your milk supply or how to trouble shoot some of the common issues at the start of a breastfeeding journey, reach out to an IBCLC such as me for specialised individualised support.
IBCLC RGN RM
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Nurse/Midwife.