A woman feels the true essence of motherhood when she experiences the birth of several "motherly" queries. And this begins soon after she starts breastfeeding her baby. A breastfeeding mother often wonders, "Is my baby getting enough milk?" It is admitted that you cannot measure the amount of milk that your baby is taking in, but you will definitely want to ensure that your baby is getting the nutrition he needs.
While most of the mothers provide sufficient amount of milk to their babies, still at times a baby doesn't get it enough! And when this situation is not addressed, a baby can suffer from dehydration and he may even fail to thrive. Both these conditions are rare, but serious!
The Signs Indicating that Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk
- After nursing your baby, you may feel softness in your breast. Presence of milk in the breasts can make them firm while they tend to become softer after the milk gets emptied.
- After feeding, your baby seems relaxed and satisfied.
- Although most babies lose weight soon after birth, it's typically regained within 10 days to two weeks. In the first month, your baby should gain 5 to 10 ounces (140 to 280 gram) a week; in months 2 and 3, he should gain 5 to 8 ounces (140 to 225 gram) a week; in months 3 to 6, the figures should range between 2.5 and 4.5 ounces (70 to 125 gram) a week; and from 6 to 12 months, he should put on 1 to 3 ounces (28 to 85 gram) a week.
- In the beginning, the baby will get thick milk in the form of colostrums. So during that time, you can expect only one or two wet diapers a day. Later, after your milk comes in through, you will see at least six to eight wet diapers a day.
- In the first month, your baby should have at least three stools a day and the stools should be lighten to yellowish mustard color by the fifth day after birth. The frequency of the bowel movements during this time is also less. Once he starts eating solid foods, at about 6 months, he'll probably become quite regular and go back to having at least one bowel movement a day.
- Most of the babies are breastfed after every two hours a day for about 8 to 12 times. By six to eight weeks after birth, your baby will probably begin to go longer between feedings. The more often you breastfeed your baby, the more your breasts will produce milk.
- If you really listen carefully, you can hear your baby swallowing the milk. You can observe and note strong rhythmic movements of your baby's jaws. A small amount of milk may even dribble out of your baby's mouth.
- A baby who has had sufficient milk will be active, smiley and alert too. Healthy skin is also a sign that denotes the availability of sufficient nutrition to your baby.
The Signs that may Mislead You
- Your Breasts do not Feel Full: Your breasts may not feel full during the first few days or weeks after childbirth. You may see sudden changes at some point as your body now starts adjusting to your baby's requirements. Further, some mothers who are breastfeeding perfectly will never feel full.
- Your Baby Sleeps Throughout the Night: This does not necessarily indicate that your baby is getting enough milk. A baby who is sleeping throughout the night at 10 days of age, for example, in fact, may not be getting enough milk.
- Your Baby Cries After Being Fed: This does not mean that your baby is still hungry. There may be other reasons for your baby to cry. For example, he may cry if something is causing an itching sensation or if he is feeling pain from diaper rash.
- Your Baby Takes a Bottle Even After Being Fed: This does not necessarily mean that your baby is still craving for food. This is not an ideal test because bottles may interfere with breastfeeding.
- Your Baby is 5 Weeks Old and Now He Turns Away the Head Suddenly While Drinking: During the first few weeks, your baby will often fall asleep while drinking or he may get distracted by colors or background sounds. So he may just turn around to see what it is, but this doesn't mean that he is not hungry or that your milk has dried up.
When Should You Contact Your Baby's Doctor?
You know your baby best. If you sense that something isn't right, contact your baby's doctor especially if your baby:
- Isn't gaining weight.
- Isn't wetting six to eight diapers a day or having regular bowel movements.
- Is consistently fussy after feedings.
- Seems sleepy all the time.
- Isn't interested in breastfeeding.
- Spits up forcefully or more than a small amount at a time.
New researches suggest that babies should be breastfed for at least six months. The longer you breastfed, the greater will be the benefit for your baby. Researchers from the University of California - Davis Children's Hospital, the University of Rochester and the American Academy of Pediatrics Center for Child Health Research studied a nationally representative sample of 2,277 babies. Infants fully breastfed for six months or more were less likely to suffer from pneumonia, ear infections and colds than the infants breastfed for four months.
Researches will keep coming and proving some other benefits of breastfeeding, but you as a mother, have that motherly sense to realize how important breastfeeding is for your baby's health. You can only feel how your inner compassion, love and care pour down in the form of nutrition for your baby.
