New babies bring with them new concerns. For Mothers who chose to breastfeed, one of the first concerns is whether or not baby is getting enough to eat. It is a common misconception that a breastfeeding Mom needs to supplement with formula until her milk comes in or risk her baby’s health. Babies are perfectly built to survive on colostrum (pre-milk) alone until a Mother’s milk comes in. In fact, nature worked it out perfectly so that the baby will become hungrier and hungrier, wanting to nurse more and more often, which in turn will bring the milk in sooner since breastmilk is produced on a supply-and-demand system.
But since you can’t measure breastmilk output, many mothers are nervous that their fussy baby is starving. Here are some basic guidelines that new parents can use to track their baby’s health in order to determine if their child is getting enough milk:
- Urine Output: A good rule of thumb is that a baby should have at least one very wet diaper per 24 hours for the first 4-5 days of life while waiting for the milk to come in. Once the milk is in, the baby should completely soak a minimum of 6 diapers a day. Urine should be pale in color and should not be strong in odor.
- Stool Output: The first stool, called meconium, is dark and tarry. It is expelled within the first days of birth and, as the milk comes in, slowly turns from dark to completely yellow by the seventh day of life and the consistency changes from sticky to loose. Baby should have more than one bowel movement every day after the first 24 hours.
- Weight: A baby should regain his birth weight by 2-3 weeks of age after losing no more than 10% of his birth weight. After birth weight is regained, a breastfed baby should gain between 4-7 ounces per week.
- Growth: Normal growth for the first six months is 1 inch per month in length and one-half inch per month in head circumference.
By running through this quick checklist, parents can set their mind at ease and enjoy their new baby!