How To Know If Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk

It is normal for your baby to lose a small amount of weight in the first few days of life. If your baby seems happy and is gaining weight after the first week, they are most likely getting enough milk.

Your baby is most likely getting enough milk if they are:

You may want to keep track of your baby’s wet and poopy diapers. The charts below show the smallest number of wet and poopy diapers your baby should have in the first week. Around 10-15 days after delivery, your baby may poop after every feeding or less often.

Day 1

Number of Wet Diapers …………………………………………………………..1

Number of poopy diapers ………………… 1st within 24 hours of birth

Color and Texture of Poop ……………………….. Thick, tarry, and black

Day 2

Number of Wet Diapers ………………………………………………………….. 2

Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ………………………… Thick, tarry, and black

Day 3

Number of Wet Diapers …………..……………………………………………… 5

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ……………………. Looser, greenish to yellow

Day 4

Number of Wet Diapers ……………..……………….…………………………… 6

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ……………………… Soft, watery, and yellow

Day 5

Number of Wet Diapers …………………………………………………………… 6

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ……………………… Loose and seedy, yellow

Day 6

Number of Wet Diapers …………………………………………………………… 6

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ……………………….. Loose and seedy, yellow

Day 7

Number of Wet Diapers …………………………………………………………… 6

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ……………… More, loose and seedy, yellow

Day 5

Number of Wet Diapers ……………..…………………………………………… 6

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ……………………… Loose and seedy, yellow

Day 6

Number of Wet Diapers ………………………………………………………… 6

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop …………………….. Loose and seedy, yellow

Day 7

Number of Wet Diapers …………………………..……………………………… 6

Number of poopy diapers ……………………………………………………….. 3

Color and Texture of Poop ………….…………… Loose and seedy, yellow

Let your baby nurse until they are full. Some signs your baby is done eating are:

If your baby finishes eating on one breast and seems full, try burping your baby and changing their diaper (if needed), then offer the other breast. If your baby doesn’t seem interested or doesn’t want to latch, they may not be hungry anymore. Some babies may eat from both sides at every feeding, while others may only eat from one side.

Things you should NOT worry about:

How your breasts feel. Your breasts will feel softer and less full as your milk supply adjusts to your baby's needs. This does not mean you have low supply.
If your baby's feeds are bunched together. This is called cluster feeding and happens when your baby starts nursing more often and for longer. This can happen in the evenings or because of growth spurts.
Not getting much milk when you express. Your baby is much more effective than a pump or hand expression at getting out milk. Find tips to help you pump.

DAILY BREASTFEEDING JOURNAL

This daily breastfeeding journal is a helpful tool for new parents. It may even be a nice keepsake memory to look back on!

KEEP TRACK OF:

Install this web app on your iPhone: tap and then Add to Home Screen.