3 Signs Your Baby is Getting Enough Breast Milk
New moms ask me one breastfeeding question the most, "How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?” That's a great question! There are several things you can look for to make sure he or she is drinking enough at the breast.
1 - Make sure your baby is swallowing when they are feeding by listening for a soft “kuh” sound. You will probably need to be in a quiet room to hear the sound, but it is very recognizable. Watch your baby feed next time and see if you notice when they swallow!
2 - You should also notice your baby’s jaw dropping and pausing for a split second before swallowing. Swallowing at the breast means they are taking in milk. Your baby will have long sucks using their entire mouth rather than just sucking with their lips.
3 - If it goes in, then it has to come out! Watch your baby’s diapers and take note of what their poop looks like, and how often they are pooping. The colour, texture, and frequency of your baby’s poop all change with their age. Once your baby is a week old, he or she should have six to eight wet diapers in a twenty-four hour period.
If you want to learn more about breastfeeding before baby comes, Jody Calvert, the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Dr. For Moms, teaches several classes:
The prenatal breastfeeding class covers the stages of lactation, colostrum collection, latch and positioning, plus addresses common concerns and what to do if you have breastfeeding problems. Sign up for the prenatal breastfeeding class here.
Moms who need help with breastfeeding can come to an interactive clinic to learn how to improve their babies latch. Click here to sign up for our latch clinic.
