It's a common concern of all breastfeeding mother's; how to determine whether their baby is getting enough milk or not. Without a bottle to measure how many ounces your baby is consuming, it is often difficult to tell if your little one is getting enough.
Fortunately, there are some signs a parent can use, to gauge whether or not their baby is getting the nourishment he/she needs. The book "Breastfeeding - A Parent's Guide" gives us some signs to look out for (as outlined below);
* Signs Your Baby Isn't Getting Enough.
1.) Baby is unusually lethargic.
2.) Baby is fussy and restless, even after breastfeeding.
3.) Baby breastfeeds less than eight times, in a time span of twenty-four hours.
4.) Your can neither hear, nor see your baby suck or swallow while breastfeeding.
5.) Baby loses 7% of his/her birth weight, during his/her fifth day of life, and continues losing weight.
6.) At ten days of age, baby is below his/her birth weight.
7.) After one day of age, baby has less than three stools a day.
8.) Baby's stool is still black or green, by five days of age.
9.) Baby has red or dark yellow urine, and less than six wet diapers a day by five days old.
* Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough.
1.) Baby is active and alert.
2.) Baby is both satisfied and happy, after each breastfeeding session.
3.) Baby breastfeeds at least eight times in every twenty-four hours.
4.) You are able to see or hear your baby suck and swallow while breastfeeding.
5.) Baby gains at least four to eight ounces weekly after the first week of birth.
6.) Baby not only loses less then 7% of his/her birth weight (during his/her first five days of life), he/she is back to their original birth weight by ten days old.
7.) After day one, baby has three or more stools*.
8.) By five days old and beyond, baby has four or more stools a day (* A baby's stool is defined as: a stain the size of the baby's fist or at least one teaspoon of solid material. For several days after your baby is born, his/her stool will have the appearance of tar - black and sticky. By four day's old, his/her stool will become yellow and watery; like a mixture of water, sesame seeds, yellow mustard, and cottage cheese).
9.) By five days old, baby's stool changes from black to yellow.
10.) By five days old, baby has clear or pale yellow urine, in addition to six or more wet diapers.
Determining whether your baby is getting the appropriate nutrition or not, is extremely vital. Educating yourself on what signs to look for, will enable you and your baby's pediatrician, to prevent any serious problems as a direct result of malnourishment.
Therefore, take the time to learn the signs of a wellfed, and underfed baby. Ensuring that your precious bundle of joy gets/stay happy and full.