‘How do I know how much they are getting?’

Nearly all new parents (myself included) worry in the first few days of breastfeeding that their baby is getting enough milk. The mere fact that you cannot see how much they are taking at each feed is disconcerting.  Your role as a parent is to care for this tiny individual’s every need and keeping them fed is an essential part of that role and you can’t even tell how many mls they took at the last feed! However, be reassured that there are very clear signs that show you your baby is getting enough breastmilk.  The infomation below identifies some signs to look for and reassure you:

SIGNS YOUR BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH MILK

Whilst feeding:

  • Your baby starts feeds with a few rapid sucks followed by long, rhythmic sucks and swallows with occasional pauses.
  • You can hear and see your baby swallowing.
  • Your baby's cheeks stay rounded, not hollow, during sucking.
  • They seem calm and relaxed during feeds.

After a feed:

  • Your baby comes off the breast on their own at the end of feeds.
  • Their mouth looks moist after feeds.
  • Your baby appears content and satisfied after most feeds. 
  • Your breasts feel softer after feeds.
  • Your nipple looks more or less the same after feeds – not flattened, pinched or white.
  • You may feel sleepy and relaxed after feeds.

Other signs your baby is feeding well:

  • Your baby gains weight steadily after the first two weeks – it's normal for babies to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first two weeks (Your baby will be weighed within the first week by a health care professional)
  • They appear healthy and alert when they're awake.
  • From the fourth day, they should do at least two soft, yellow poos the size of a £2 coin every day for the first few weeks.
  • From day five onwards, wet nappies should start to become more frequent, with at least six heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. In the first 48 hours, your baby is likely to have only two or three wet nappies.

*If you are concerned that your baby is not getting enough milk you should always contact your midwife or health visitor directly and be reviewed.

Emma is a practicing midwife here in Sussex at The Perrymount and is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council – NMC and a member of a professional Union – Royal College of Nursing . She holds insurance to provide routine antenatal and postnatal care in the UK as a sole midwifery practitioner. She is also a fully trained Birth Trauma Therapist.

If you'd like to book in for a free 15 minute consultation with Emma, please call the clinic on 01444 410944