Is Your Baby Getting Enough? How to Know and Tricks to Get There
Is your baby satisfied?
When breastfeeding comfortably, your baby should have at least 8 feeds in 24 hours, in which each feed is between 5 and 40 minutes. However, it is quite common for mothers to wonder if their little one is getting enough to eat. According to the CDC, it assumed a baby is full if they close their mouths or turn away from their mother's breast. Yet, every baby is different and it is important for mothers and midwives to be aware of assessment tools in order to recognize whether a baby is breastfeeding well and safely. Here are some supported tips and tricks to get there!
Monitor bowel movements
One of the easiest ways to tell whether the baby is receiving enough milk is to keep track of the frequency and quantity of bowel movements. For many babies, every feeding results in a stained diaper. According to UNICEF, babies should have increasing bowel movements after the first 3-4 days, and by the end of the first week, they should be passing at least 2-3 sizable runny, yellow stools every day. A baby passing only brown bowel movements is most likely not getting enough, however, this isn't guaranteed. A good rule of thumb is small, occasional bowel movements suggest inadequate intake. Although there are several exceptions for such occurrences, it is still a good idea to talk to a doctor.
Keep track of wet diapers
You can be fairly certain that your baby is getting enough milk if, after 4-5 days of age, the baby is soaking - not just wetting - 5-6 diapers in a 24-hour span. It's worth noting the new super dry "disposable" diapers look dry even when they're saturated with urine, but they should appear heavy when they are soaked. After the first few days, the baby's urine should be almost colorless, though occasional darker urine is not a cause for concern. Urine appearance should indicate whether the baby is well-latched and drinking from the breast. Only if the baby is properly latched on will he/she receive their mother's milk. If the baby is not latching properly, this problem is may be solved by correcting the latch or obtaining lactation support if needed.
Understand nursing patterns
Feeding a baby by the clock is not indicative that your baby is getting enough. Mothers will find, in general, babies who are getting a lot of milk at the breast suck in a distinctive manner. These babies engage in rhythmic sucking, and swallowing typically becomes more audible as more milk comes in. As they suck, babies pause to widen their mouths. A mouthful of milk corresponds to each pause in the chin. International breastfeeding center suggests, "The longer the pause, the more the baby got." If the baby comes off the breast after characteristically displaying these long pauses, he/she has probably had enough to eat. Babies may also present "nibbling nursing" while feeding, which is characterized by short suckles at a time. These short suckles may indicate the baby is not getting enough to eat no matter how much time they stay on the breast, resulting in a hungry baby. This must be corrected, as it can suggest either you are not producing enough milk or your baby is, again, not latching properly.
Other assessment tricks include:
Monitoring if the baby is calm during and after most feedings
Checking if the baby has a normal skin color, specifically looking for signs of jaundice which requires professional review if you have any concerns
Tracking the baby's weight, as poor weight gain suggests that the baby is not getting enough
Some examples of tricks deemed poor indicators:
The baby cries after feeding
The baby sleeps throughout the night
The baby feeds frequently or for a long time
Poor technique or mismanagement of breastfeeding are the most likely reasons for a baby not having enough breast milk, all of which can be overcome. If concerns still remain, mothers or midwives should make a detailed care plan and revisit positioning and attachment. Further support or assistance is encouraged to improve milk transfer.
By: Caroline Middleton