Have you ever worried if your baby is getting enough milk? We discuss the four things you need to know when it comes to if your baby is getting enough.
It can be tough to know if your baby is getting enough, since they aren’t built with a visible full and empty tank.
But here are a few general guidelines to help you understand if your baby is taking in enough milk at the breast.
Every baby is different, and every day is different, so this one can be nuanced. But on the whole, is your baby resting, content, or playing between feedings, so seem to be constantly looking for more or very sleepy?
When your infant is hungry, their body is tight and clenched, like this. You may see visible hunger cues (i.e. rooting, lip smacking).
When your infant is full and satisfied, their body will be relaxed, like this:
The baby’s brows are smooth, hands are open, and his limbs are relaxed.
If your baby is getting enough at the breast, you will often be able to hear audible swallowing in a consistent pattern during a feeding. Your baby should have frequent feedings, with periods of short periods of cluster feeding. In between feedings, your baby will be relaxed and content.
If you’re unable to hear swallowing, or it seems like your baby is always hungry most of the time, or you’re unable to rouse your baby for most feedings, or are concerned that your baby is not getting enough at the breast, reach out to a trusted lactation provider.
The amount expected changes with your infant’s age. Wet diapers tell us if your baby is hydrated. Dirty diapers tell us about a baby's caloric intake.
For the first few days of life, here are the diaper count minimums.
In the first 24 hours (Day 1), a newborn should have at least 1 wet diaper and 1 dirty diaper.
On Day 2 of life, a newborn should have 2 wet diapers and 2 dirty diapers.
On Day 3 of life, a newborn should have 3 wet diapers and 3 dirty diapers.
On Day 4 of life, a newborn should have 4 wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers.
After day 5 of life, a newborn should have a minimum of 5 wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers.
After 6 weeks of age, an infant’s dirty diapers may reduce from 3-4 dirty to their unique stooling pattern. However, less than 1 stool in a week warrants a visit to the pediatrician’s office.
If your baby is getting sufficient calories, they have the energy to move through and practice their skills. A well-fed baby is active and alert, according to the expected development for their age.
Of course there can be other reasons than inadequate intake that a baby may not meet their expected milestones, and each family should seek the support of their provider if your baby is missing milestones.
Every baby is different, but we want them following their expected weight gain pattern. Exclusively breastfed infants gain weight differently than combination or formula fed infants, usually gaining weight quickly over the first three months, then slowing down their rate of weight gain.
Right after birth, it is expected that newborns will lose some weight. Average weight loss is 5-7% of birth weight. Newborns are expected to stop losing weight by Day 5 of life, and lose no more than 10% of birth weight. (If a newborn is not hitting these milestones, a feeding evaluation and oftentimes supplementation or other interventions are temporarily required. ). Then, newborns should regain weight back to birth weight between Day 10 and two weeks of life. (If your infant has not regained birth weight by two weeks of life, it is important that a feeding evaluation be done by a lactation professional).
After regaining birth weight, breastfed newborns are expected to gain 4-7oz per week, or about 0.5-1oz per day.
Exclusively breastfed infants typically double their birth weight by 6 months old, and close to triple their birth weight by 1 year of age.
One of the amazing things about breastfed babies, is that they learn to trust and pay attention to their fullness cues. Assuming mom’s supply is adequate to meet their demand, breastfed infants can self-regulate their intake according to their unique needs. Additionally, a mother’s milk is uniquely composed to meet the individual needs of her baby. Part of the beauty of a breastfeeding journey is that mother and baby learn to trust each other’s cues.
If you’re concerned your baby is not getting enough milk, see a lactation provider who can evaluate underlying issues, such as low milk supply, poor latch, and work with you and your pediatrician to support both you and your baby.
If you'd like to learn more about this topics, you can my free Simple Start mini class answering your questions about how to know your baby is getting enough milk here.
References:
“Average Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies • KellyMom.com.” KellyMom.com, 14 Aug. 2011, kellymom.com/bf/normal/weight-gain/.
Bai, Geeta, et al. “Trends in Weight Gain among Breastfed Infants versus Bottle-Fed Infants at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.” Cureus, vol. 24, no. 3, 24 Mar. 2022, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.23459.
Sears, Dr Bill. “Average Breastfed Baby Weight Gain.” Ask Dr Sears, 16 Sept. 2020, www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/breastfeeding/faqs/how-much-weight-will-my-breastfeeding-baby-gain/.
Disclaimer: This information provided in this blog article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is important to consult with your qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about supplementation or addressing concerns about your baby's weight gain. This information is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. For further information, please consult with a pediatric healthcare provider or visit reputable medical sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or the World Health Organization
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