IS YOUR CHILD ADEQUATELY BREASTFED?

New mothers often wonder how they can tell if their baby is getting enough milk. Fortunately there are several indicators that can be used to determine the adequacy of baby’s milk intake.
As you read through this article, take note of the signs that indicate that your child is adequately breastfeeding.
First and foremost is weight gain. Most babies lose some weight in the days following birth. However, once a mother’s transitional milk comes in, her baby should begin to gain. By two weeks of age, she should expect to see a return to birth weight. Breastfed infants typically gain between four and eight ounces per week thereafter. So, the only way to be absolutely sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to check his weight regularly.

First of all, your baby should latch on and suck rhythmically for 10-15 minutes on each breast. He may pause periodically, but should nurse vigorously for most of the feeding. He should seem satisfied after nursing, and will often fall asleep at the second breast. If he falls asleep and will not take the second breast, try to divide the sucking time between the two sides. If he is sleepy , he will get more milk by nursing for 5 minutes on both breasts rather than 10 minutes on one. You should hear him swallowing regularly while he is nursing.
Your newborn should nurse at least 8 times in 24 hours. Once your milk is in, your breasts should feel fuller before feedings and softer after you nurse. You may see milk dripping or squirting from one breast while your baby is nursing on the other side. This is a sign that your milk is “letting down’. Your body doesn’t know that you’re not nursing twins, so your milk will let down on both breasts at once. You may or may not feel a distinct sensation associated with the milk ejection, or let down reflex. Some mothers feel a very strong physical sensation, sort of a tingling, tightening, or ‘pins and needles’ response as the milk begins to flow. Some mothers never notice a distinct sensation, and some don’t feel it until they have been breastfeeding for several weeks.
Also, Stool output and urination is another important means of gauging adequate intake. For the first couple of days after birth, your baby will pass dark, tarry meconium stools . This is the stool the baby has been storing since before birth. Within a day or two of your milk coming in, his stools will change in both color and consistency. These early transitional stools may be brownish or greenish, and will be loose and unformed. By the time your baby is 4 or 5 days old, he should be having “milk stools”: Yellowish and seedy. He should have at least 2-5 substantial bowel movements in each 24 hour period, and may pass a stool every time he nurses during the first few weeks of life. If he is stooling less frequently, it may mean that he is not getting enough milk. So, keep track of your baby’s wet diapers and bowel movements .
During your baby’s first couple of days of life, he will probably wet only once or twice a day , since he is receiving only small amounts of colostrum. After the milk comes in, he should wet 6-8 times in 24 hours. The urine should be pale, colorless, and mild smelling. Dark, concentrated urine may mean that the baby is not getting enough milk.
If a mother takes note of these signs, she will be able to adequately breastfeed her baby which in turn brings several health benefits to the mother and child.

REFERENCE
Anne Smith (2016); "Breastfeeding Basics".

Breastfeeding St. Louis (2010); "Indicators of Adequate Infant Intake".