Is My Newborn Eating Enough?
“Having a newborn can be very overwhelming and it’s common to worry about whether or not the baby is getting enough to eat,” says Andi Silverman, breastfeeding expert and author of Mama Knows Breast: A Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding. “Keep in mind that your pediatrician will check the baby’s weight to make sure she is getting enough to eat. You can help, too, by keeping a journal of feedings, pees and poops. Newborns eat eight to twelve times per day, that is every two to three hours. So if you feed your baby from 8:00 a.m. to 8:20, the next feeding starts at 10:00 a.m. if you are on a two hour schedule. If you have a sleepy baby, you’ll want to wake her up to make sure she’s feeding. Newborns also poop three to four times a day, and pee five to eight times per day.” After about a month, feedings become less frequent — every three to four hours is common. “Overall, try to feed your baby ‘on demand,’ or whenever she indicates she’s hungry by crying, licking her lips, sucking her fist or rooting around for your breast.”
There are some other things that can help you figure out if your baby is eating well: (1) you see milk in the baby’s mouth; (2) the baby eats, and then stops rooting for food; (3) your breasts feel softer after a feeding; (4) you feel your milk letting down, or a tingling in your breast during feeding; (5) you see the baby suck and swallow. Sucking is quick and shallow, swallowing is deep and rhythmic.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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