Signs a baby is getting what they need
Many mums worry that their baby isn’t getting enough milk.
Signs she can look out for to reassure her are:
- Her baby settles for a period of time after feeding
- Her baby has plenty of wet nappies each day and is having nothing but breast milk. (Disposable nappies are so absorbent that it's sometimes hard to tell. A good way for her to check is to put a cotton wool ball in the nappy and check if it’s wet when baby’s nappy is changed)
- Her baby has regular bowel movements
- Her baby is growing and gaining weight
- Her baby wakes regularly for feeds
- Her baby is awake and alert for some of the time
Signs a baby isn’t getting enough milk
Most babies lose some weight after birth. Recovery of birthweight by two weeks indicates that feeding is effective and that the child is well.
One of the best ways of knowing if baby is getting enough milk, is monitoring the frequency and quantity of bowel movements. By the end of first 3-4 days, baby should have increasing bowel movements so that by the end of the first week, baby should have passed 2-3 substantial yellow stools each day.
Jaundice can be a sign that a baby is not getting enough milk. This could be due to the mother’s milk not having come in yet. Until a mother’s milk comes in, the limited amounts of fluid received from breastfeeding may hinder the functioning of the baby's liver. Certain enzymes in breast milk are also thought to contribute to 'breast milk jaundice'.
For more information have a look at this clinical article on Breast Milk Jaundice
Persistent green stools may also be an indication that their baby isn’t getting enough milk. For more information on stools, see our Baby Stool Guide