How do I know that my baby is feeding enough?
Breastfeed with Confidence: Advice from a Mom and Lactation Consultant
Little message for you, new moms! I'm here to share a little of my personal and professional experience with breastfeeding. Passionate about supporting new mom in their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey, having myself had 3 different journeys for each of my children with natural births, more or less easy breastfeeding. I also trained as a lactation consultant with IBCLC certification.
Do you have any idea how many times a day your baby will breastfeed?
You'll hear about having your baby breastfeed every 2-3 hours, or 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
Knowing that he breastfeeds for a period of 5 min to 55 min.
This represents 3 to 11 hours on average during your day.
From the first days: the importance of colostrum
From the very first days after birth, your baby needs to breastfeed very frequently to stimulate your milk production. Colostrum is the milk secreted from the first days, it is a thick milk in small quantities suitable for your baby. Even if you are tired, you must encourage and stimulate your baby every 2-3 hours so that he sucks... Courage.
What you can observe to confirm a good feeding
- Listen to swallowing: These little sounds at the back of the throat that indicate that your baby is swallowing...
- Observe the frequency of feedings: do not hesitate to follow the number of feedings per day. You can use a simple sheet, an app, a logbook. To encourage lactation, feedings must be frequent.
-Observe your number of urine and stools. It will be the first that your baby does not receive enough if the number of pees and poops decreases.
From 3 to 5 days: milk coming in
-Your breasts will be engorged, firm, tense. The more you breastfeed your baby, the more relief you will have.
- continue to monitor the frequency of stools and urine and their color.
From 5 days to 2 weeks: the arrival of mature milk
Around the fifth day, you will feel a difference. Your milk becomes more abundant. It is called transition milk. You will notice that your breasts are more supply after each feeding and your baby seems more relaxed and satisfied.
Reassuring signals
- Stools change: They become soft, yellow and seedy.
- Your baby's weight: He will start to gain weight from the 5th day. Normally, he should return to his birth weight around two weeks. If not please check with a Lactation consultant to help you.
- Wet and dirty diapers: At least 6 to 8 wet diapers and 3 or more dirty diapers each day are good indicators.
After 2 weeks: the routine is established
The frequency of feedings will remain high, and that is a good thing. Your baby will continue to gain weight steadily, which is an excellent sign of good health.
Continue to monitor
- Frequency of feedings: Always important, between 8 to 12 times a day.
- Stools and diapers: Less regular perhaps, but still present.
After 4 weeks: adjustments and listening
At this point, feedings may become a little less frequent, but monitoring the same indicators is crucial to ensure all is well. Listen to yourself and listen to your baby.
Listen to your instinct, and don’t hesitate to get support from a professional
I know breastfeeding can seem complex, especially at first. But with the right information and a little support, you can live this experience in a peaceful and enriching way. Remember that every mom and every baby is unique. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you have any doubts or questions. I'm here to help you navigate this wonderful journey that is breastfeeding. You are a great mom, trust yourself!
Enjoy every moment spent feeding and cuddling your baby. These moments are precious and forge an unbreakable bond between you and your child. Courage, you are doing a wonderful job!
Comments