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Breastfeeding

How Can I Tell If My Baby Is Getting Enough To Eat?

General signs to tell if your baby is getting enough milk:

  • Your baby will have 8-12 feedings in a 24-hour period.
  • Your baby will have 6-8 wet diapers a day (every 24 hours) after the first few days.
  • Your baby will have at least 3 bowel movements a day.
  • Your baby will sleep or be happy between feedings.
  • By the time your baby is ten days old, your baby should be back to birth weight.

Your Baby's Bowel Movements

After the baby is a couple of days old, her bowel movements usually look yellow in color and may be loose and seedy. The breastfeeding stools do not have a strong odor.

Growth Spurts

At times your baby will have a need for more milk because he/she is growing. Your baby may seem to want to nurse often and for longer times. By feeding your baby more frequently, your body will make more milk to meet the increasing demand. Typically within 2-3 days, your body will make enough milk to keep your baby full again for a longer time. During these growth spurts, do not give your baby extra bottles of formula or water feedings unless instructed by your health care provider. If you do, your own body will not increase the milk supply which your baby needs.

You may see "growth spurts" as early as ten days old, and then every three to six weeks after that.

Talk To Your Child's Doctor

As always, please be sure to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your pediatrician.