New parents sometimes worry that their babies aren't getting enough to eat. Infants have small stomachs, so they don't need too much! The fruit represents how big the stomach is and the measurement is how much milk a baby needs.
It is normal for newborns to lose 7% of their birthweight in the first few days of life. The average breastfed baby gains 5-7 oz/week for the first 4 months.
You should be keeping track of baby’s wet and dirty diapers.
Wet diapers: before mom’s milk comes in and baby is getting colostrum, they should have 1 wet diaper for each day of life. When milk comes in, on day 3,4 or 5, they should have 5-6 wet diapers every 24 hours.
Dirty diapers: First 3 days of life, baby should have 1 poopy diaper for each day of life. After day 4, they should have at least 3-4 poopy diapers every 24 hours.
The milk changes from colostrum (yellow and thick milk) to mature milk (thinner and whiter). There is also more milk and your breasts may feel full or engorged (uncomfortably full). This happens anytime between days 2 and 5 after your baby is born.
Breastfeed baby every 2-3 hours or more. Make sure baby is latched on deeply. Let baby finish eating on one side before switching to the next side. Baby will come off the breast when she has emptied it. To decrease the discomfort, use cold compresses or green cabbage leaves. Hand express to release some milk for your comfort or to help baby latch on if they are having trouble due to the firmness of the breast.
When should I call my doctor/midwife/lactation consultant?
This special milk is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies to help keep your baby healthy. Colostrum is extremely easy to digest, and is therefore the perfect first food for your baby. It is low in volume (measured in teaspoons rather than ounces), but high in concentrated nutrition for the newborn.
Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby, helping him or her pass early stools, which helps prevent jaundice.
Putting your baby belly down on your bare chest right after birth or as soon after as possible. Skin-to-skin babies stay warmer and calmer, cry less, and have healthier blood sugar levels than babies who are swaddled. Studies show that babies who have been skin-to-skin breastfeed better and for a longer time. Keeping baby skin-to-skin in the first few weeks makes it easy to know when to feed baby, especially if he or she is sleepy.
Breastfeeding is especially good for premature babies or babies with medical conditions. Breast milk protects them against bacteria that can lead to serious and sometimes life threatening infections. Your milk is made specifically for Your baby.
First, ensure that baby is latching on deeply each time. A minimal amount of discomfort with breastfeeding is normal, especially in the first couple of weeks. If the pain lasts longer than this or lasts throughout the entire feeding, make sure baby is latching on well. A shallow latch can be a major cause of nipple trauma. Contact a lactation consultant for help if you’re unsure.
There are products that you can buy that help soothe sore nipples, including Lanolin cream and hydrogel pads. Breast milk also has healing properties. Paint some breast milk on your sore nipples and allow them to air dry. Remember to wear clean clothing and use new/clean breast pads to decrease the risk of infection.
