It is quite common to wonder if your baby is drinking enough breast milk. It is also impossible to measure how much milk your baby is taking in because you can’t see it. Your baby may struggle to get enough for other reasons during the first few weeks. They may not be breastfeeding well or for long enough. They may not be latching adequately or might have a condition that makes it harder to take in milk.
To ensure you’re keeping track of what’s going on, the following are a few signs that tell you if your baby is getting enough milk. And you can also reach out to a nurse lactation consultant in Chicago for expert help.
Poor weight gain.
It is quite normal for newborns to lose 5% to 7% of their birth weight in their initial days. Some even lose up to 10 %. However, sooner, they should also gain at least 20 to 30 g every day and be back to their birth weight by day 10 to 14. If the baby loses more weight or hasn’t started gaining weight by days 5 to 6, you should immediately seek medical help.
Insufficient wet or dirty nappies
The number of poos and pees your baby has per day help identify whether your child is getting enough milk. Your newborn should at least have one or two heavy, wet nappies in the first 48 hours. When they’re five days old, they should have around five or six heavy, wet nappies. The baby’s poos should be yellowy-mustard and should do two poos every 24 hours.
Dehydration
If your child has dark-colored urine, a dry mouth, or jaundice, or if he or she is lethargic and reluctant to feed, the child could be dehydrated. Fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, or overheating, often cause dehydration in babies.
Breastfeeding is very important for every newborn. If you’re finding it difficult, contact us. We are a certified breastfeeding consultant in Chicago.