Common Breastfeeding Concerns: "Is my baby getting enough?"

Breastfeeding your baby is a beautiful and special experience, but like most things that are worth doing, it can come with challenges! As you begin your breastfeeding journey, it is helpful to be aware of some of the common concerns that breastfeeding moms face. In this blog series, we will go over some of these concerns as well as tips and strategies to overcome them and make the most of your breastfeeding experience.

“Is my baby getting enough?”

Low milk production is one of the most common and understandable worries of breastfeeding moms. Unlike with bottles, you can’t see the amount of breastmilk consumed, so it’s easy to wonder, “Is my baby getting enough?”

Without the advantage of seeing exactly how much milk your baby has had, it’s good to have an idea of what breastfeeding looks like when it’s going well:

• Typically, a newborn will breastfeed a minimum of eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. 
• Watch your baby’s sucking motions, paying careful attention to swallowing action and cheek movement. Sometimes, you can hear your baby swallowing - which is a good sign! 
• You’ll also notice a rhythm when your baby nurses, which can change depending on what part of the feed they’re at or when colostrum transitions to milk.

What else should I look out for?

• Diapers: Typically, by Day 5, your baby should be having about five wet diapers and four to five dirty diapers. The color of the dirty diapers should transition from black (meconium) to greenish, then to yellow and seedy looking. By Day 5 you are looking for the yellow poops.
• Contentment: Watch to see if your baby is more content after feeding. At the beginning of a feeding, your baby may often want to place his hands in the way or in the mouth. As he fills his little tummy, he relaxes and his hands go into a more relaxed position.
• Weight: Pay attention to your baby’s weight. A baby will often lose weight after birth, usually up to 10% of the birth weight. By about Day 5, however, they typically start to gain some weight. You are looking to return to birth weight by about Day 10-14.

If you find yourself worrying about your baby getting enough milk, don’t stress yet! Remember what to look for, how to look for it, and don’t get discouraged. You’re doing great!