Q&A
Ensuring Your Baby's Getting Enough Breast Milk
Question:
This sounds silly, but how do I tell my newborn's getting enough breastmilk?
It's not silly at all, especially when you're new to breastfeeding! Most babies vary the length of time they spend on the breast, so there are no hard and fast rules. But don't worry, you'll become more confident over the next few weeks of feeding and will know that your baby's getting enough milk. In the meantime, here are some ways to gauge if your baby's had his fill:
Let your newborn finish with the first breast before offering the second breast. This way, you can let your baby set the pace: When he comes off the breast, you'll know he's done with that breast. Watch your baby - if he's eager looking for more, offer him the other breast.
If your baby stops sucking but continues to latch onto your breast, don't automatically assume he's finished. It's normal for babies to take brief pauses between sucking (approximately 10 to 30 seconds). Rub his back, burp him, or even change his diaper if you like to wake him up a bit before offering him your other breast. If he doesn't take the second breast, it's an indication that your baby is finished.
Meanwhile, remember the average baby feeds at least 8 to 12 times a day, wets 6 to 8 diapers per day and gains around 100 to 200 grams of weight each week. Schedule a feed at least every two hours or so during the day (and usually at least one night feed). If your baby is sleeping for extended hours, wake him up for nursing - it's important to feed your newborn regularly.
Rest assured that your milk supply will meet his needs - the more your baby feeds, the more milk you produce, so boost your milk supply by fitting in more feeds than is usual for your baby.
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