How do I know my baby is feeding well and getting enough milk?.

A Most mothers who are breast feeding ask this question, understandingly. It can be a real and felt concern when breastfeeding your baby. There is a temptation to compare your feeding to mothers who are bottle feeding their babies and feel discouraged. Try not to do this, it may help for you to think about the following when feeding your baby.

• Have your baby weighed at regular intervals. If your baby is feeding well he/she would be gaining weight after the first two weeks.
• Do you feel your baby appears to be settled and satisfied after most feeds? If they are feeding well and getting enough breast milk they will be?
• Is your baby having at least six wet nappies a day? This shows your baby is drinking well as they are getting rid of any excess fluids they don’t need.
• Is your baby passing at least two yellow stools (poohs) every day? This shows they are digesting the milk.
• You might also want to think about your baby’s position. Does your baby have a large mouthful of breast so he can suckle well? To check this you should be able to see more of the dark skin or areola above your baby’s top lip than below their bottom lip and your baby's chin should be touching your breast. No baby gums on your nipple if possible, gums wide open and away from the nipple itself.
• Can you see your babies cheeks fill with milk and do you notice him/her swallowing? This will indicate whether they are getting milk from your breast.
• When babies have fed well they often come off the breast on their own, but not always.
  

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