How to Know if a Breastfed Baby Is Getting Enough Food

Life would be easier for breastfeeding mothers if breasts had measurement markers. Unlike bottle-feeding mothers, however, breastfeeding mothers cannot check how many ounces their babies have eaten at any given point. Even the length of nursing sessions are not a reliable marker, as some babies are leisurely or sleepy eaters who take as much as an hour to feed, while others are voracious feeders who can drain a breast in minutes. However, by studying your baby's behavior and checking her diapers, you can get a sense of whether your baby is eating enough.

Instructions

1

Count your baby's number of stools per day. For the first eight days of life, your baby should have roughly the same number of stools as her age; a 1-day-old baby should have at least one stool, a 2-day-old should have at least two and so on. Once your baby reaches 8 days of age, the number of stools should even out at 8 to 10 per day.

2

Note the color and consistency of your baby's stools. A 1- to 2-day-old baby will have blackish, tarry stool. This will gradually change to brownish-black, then to brownish-yellow and finally to yellow as milk replaces the amniotic fluid in your baby's system. Your baby's yellow stool should look as though it has seeds or curds in it, like runny scrambled eggs or cottage cheese mixed with mustard. If your baby's stool is green and foamy, call a pediatrician or a lactation consultant, as it means your baby is only getting low-calorie, low-fat foremilk instead of richer hindmilk.

3

Count the number of wet diapers as well as the number of stools. After the third or fourth day, your baby should have at least six wet diapers per day.

4

Study your baby's behavior. A newborn should spend most of the time either eating or sleeping; wakefulness and excessive crying are signs of hunger. Your baby should seem satisfied for an average of two to three hours between feedings during the first two months and may be able to go as long as six hours without a feeding by the third month.

5

Examine your baby's appearance. His mouth should be pink and moist, and his skin should be soft and supple. A dry mouth or dry skin are signs of dehydration. Additionally, his eyes should appear bright when he is awake, not dull or sunken.

6

Monitor your baby's weight. While most babies lose weight between birth and the first doctor's visit, it should be no more than 7 percent of birth weight. The baby should regain her birth weight by two to three weeks of age and gain an average of at least four ounces per week after that.

7

Listen for swallowing sounds as your baby nurses. You should hear one or two sucks per swallow during the first 5 or 10 minutes of nursing.

8

Check your breasts before, during after each feeding to determine whether your baby is getting milk. They should feel noticeably softer after the feeding concludes. You may also feel a tingling sensation called the "let-down reflex" during feeding. While not all women feel the let-down reflex, its presence is a definite sign that you are making milk.

How to Use an Electric Breast Pump

Although electric pumps are the most expensive (they range from $100 to $1,000), they are faster and more convenient than manual pumps. In addition, because you do not need to use your hands, you can nurse your baby on one side while pumping on the other.

Instructions

1

Choose a time of day when your breasts are the fullest (in the morning, for most women).

2

Make sure your breast pump equipment is clean and sterilized.

3

Select a quiet, comfortable place for pumping where you won't be interrupted.

4

Wash your hands with soap and water.

5

Place the breast shield over your breast correctly, with the entire areola enclosed.

6

Begin at a low speed, gradually building up to high speed.

7

Collect breast milk in the attached plastic container.

8

Turn the pump off before pulling out your breast.

9

Pour breast milk into plastic bags designed specifically for nursing to use at a later date.

Breast Augmentation & Reduction in Breast Feeding

While most medical professionals agree that breast milk is best for the baby, women who have had breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery may have difficulty breastfeeding. It will not be known if she is able to breastfeed until she actually attempts it. According to BFAR, a website with information and support on breastfeeding after breast and nipple surgeries, there are several factors to consider when breastfeeding if these surgeries have been performed.

Basics

Most women who have had breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery will be able to breastfeed. However, their milk supply is generally lower than those who have not had the surgery. This may prevent breastfeeding exclusively, though there are ways to increase milk supply such as breast compression, hand expression, pumping and breastfeeding more frequently.

Breast Augmentation

Those who have had breast augmentation generally have a better chance of breastfeeding than those who have had breast reduction. This is due to the fact that placing implants in the breasts generally involves less cutting and disruption of the ducts in the breast than breast reduction surgery. Plastic surgeons generally attempt to minimize the appearance of scars and will place incisions around the areola and in other inconspicuous areas. If ducts and nerves are damaged in the process, it can affect the ability to breastfeed.

Breast Reduction

In breast reduction surgery, the incisions are much more intensive than with breast augmentation surgery. The plastic surgeon is also removing breast tissue, which could include ducts and nerves that make it possible to breastfeed. For women with very large breasts, it may be necessary to completely detach the nipple during the surgery. These women generally have very little, if any, chance to breastfeed after the surgery due to this.

Lactation Consultants

For women who have undergone any type of breast surgery, the lactation consultant can be a valuable resource. Women should reach out to a lactation consultant before delivery to develop a relationship and inform the consultant about her situation. While nothing can be done beforehand to ensure breastfeeding is a success, the lactation consultant can offer tips in breastfeeding that will increase the odds of success for women who face this set of circumstances. Women who have had breast surgery should mentally prepare to have to either breastfeed or pump more often than their non-surgical breastfeeding peers.

Considerations

If planning to breastfeed, consider delaying any breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery until after breastfeeding is complete. If this is not possible, inform the plastic surgeon of the desire to breastfeed prior to surgery. While no guarantees can be made about breastfeeding, the surgeon can proceed more carefully in removing tissue or making incisions to provide the greatest chance of success.

Reasons You Can't Breast Feed

Breastfeeding is not only healthy for your baby but is also a wonderful way for mom and baby to bond right out of the womb. However, there are certain circumstances that can prevent breastfeeding or make it very difficult. Talk to your doctor before your baby is born about whether or not you will be able to try breastfeeding.

Health Concerns

If you have an illness such as HIV, breastfeeding is not recommended. Though the chance of transmitting this disease to your baby through breast milk is relatively low, the American Academy of Pediatrics says HIV positive moms should not take the chance. If you are a drug user, you shouldn't breastfeed because the drugs can be passed through your milk to your baby and cause very serious health problems. Check with your doctor if you take regular prescription medications to make sure it's safe to breastfeed while using those.

Physical Limitations

Some women just don't have the equipment to breastfeed. It can be very frustrating to realize you have milk ducts that don't produce enough milk, but it is quite common. If you've had breast surgery such as reduction or augmentation, that may affect your ability to breastfeed. If you have a condition such as heart disease, that also may limit your ability to breastfeed.

Discomfort

For some women, breastfeeding just never feels natural. If you're uncomfortable nursing, in a large amount of pain or just can't seem to get the hang of it, maybe breastfeeding isn't for you. If you've tried your best and are still unsuccessful, there are plenty of formula options that are healthy substitutes. You can still bond with your baby by snuggling him close while you feed him and making lots of eye contact as you give him his bottle.

How to Get a Free Breast Pump From the Hospital

Breastfeeding is healthier for a baby than formula because it provides enzymes, growth factors, antibodies and anti-virus factors that prevent babies from getting sick. Many women plan on breastfeeding their babies but sometimes the babies have difficulty latching on. It also is difficult for women to continue breastfeeding their babies when they return to work. These are common situations that are solved by a breast pump. These devices allow a woman to save her breast milk and feed it to her baby in a bottle. There are electric, pedal and manual pumps, which can be obtained at a hospital.

Instructions

1

To obtain a free breast pump from a hospital, you have to prove you have a baby. If you've just recently had the baby in that hospital, there should be no problem. If you had the baby somewhere other than a hospital or are returning to the hospital a few months after having the baby, you may have to show the baby's birth certificate or other proof of identification, such as a crib card or immunization record. Pumps can be expensive and hospitals want to make sure you are trustworthy.

2

Talk to a lactation specialist or a certified lactation educator in the hospital about what type of pump is best for you. If you are returning to work full time, borrowing an electric pump from the hospital may be your best choice. If you are staying at home but the baby is having trouble latching on, you may benefit from using a manual pump, which the hospital may provide for free.

3

If you choose to get an electric or pedal pump, you may have to fill out paperwork in order to rent it. Be prepared to show an identification card for yourself. You may have to include a phone number of someone who does not live with you on the loan contract for security purposes.

4

To obtain a free breast pump, you should show the hospital you are serious about trying to breastfeed. This way they will see your commitment and know giving you a free breast pump is not going to go to waste. One way to prove your commitment is to keep a breastfeeding log to show the lactation specialist or other hospital staff. In the log, record the time when you breastfeed each day, how long each feeding lasts and any other comments you may have, such as "baby got full and fell asleep on breast." In the log, you should be able to show that you are breastfeeding, or are trying to breastfeed, at least eight to 10 times in 24 hours.

5

To borrow a pedal or electric pump from the hospital, you may have to prove you are going to work or school. This is not always the case, but be prepared to provide a name and number of someone they can contact who will verify you are working or going to school. A good contact would be a supervisor or a school academic adviser.

How to Prepare the Breast for Breast-Feeding

During your pregnancy, your body will naturally prepare itself for breast-feeding - you don't need to do very much to prepare your breasts. But if you have very sensitive skin, inverted nipples, or flat nipples, there are a few things you can do to make the transition into new motherhood easier.

Instructions

1

Gently massage a few drops of colostrum into your nipples every couple of days, starting a few weeks before your baby is born.

2

Apply pure lanolin cream to your nipples several times a day to soothe sore, tender skin after you begin nursing.

3

Keep the flaps of your nursing bra open whenever possible so that your breasts are exposed to air.

4

Ask your doctor, local La Leche League leader or local lactation consultant about the various methods you can use to draw out inverted nipples.

5

Attend a La Leche League or other breast-feeding support group during your pregnancy to get answers to any questions you might have before your baby arrives.

6

Get a good book about breast-feeding and read it during your pregnancy so that you'll have the information you need by the time your baby arrives.

Expressed Milk vs. Breastfeeding

Your obstetrician, family and well-meaning friends have probably told you many times that breastfeeding is the best nutritional choice for your baby. While they're absolutely correct, not all mothers are able to breastfeed, and expressed milk is a good alternative for a mom who wants her baby to have breast milk. Know the pros and cons of both to help you make the right decision for your baby.

Breastfeeding Pros

Breastfeeding is free and you can feed your baby wherever you happen to be. According to HealthyChildren.org, formula can cost anywhere from $4 to $10 per day, which can really add up over time. Breastfeeding is more convenient, too, because you don't have to mix and warm bottles every time your baby needs to eat. Breastfeeding is better for the environment, as well, because you don't have to throw away empty formula canisters or purchase bottles and other supplies. Most important, breast milk is the most nutritious food to feed your baby, but it has health benefits for you, too. Women who breastfeed are less likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer and ovarian cancer, the HealthyChildren website reports.

Breastfeeding Cons

Breastfeeding isn't always easy. The primary drawback for many a mother is that she can't get her baby to latch on properly, which makes feeding sessions painful. Babies who have a hard time latching on are also less likely to breastfeed for extended amounts of time because it's so hard for them to get enough nourishment. Another drawback is that a mother is often uncomfortable breastfeeding when she's in public, which means she might miss chunks of time at parties and family events while she's in a separate room nursing. It's also more difficult for a breastfeeding mother to take time away from her child since she is solely responsible for feeding her little one.

Expressed Milk Pros

Having a stockpile of expressed milk makes it easy to feed your baby and doesn't require you to run to the store to pick up a canister of formula. Breast milk is also more convenient for women who want their babies to drink breast milk, but must return to work before they wean the child. Again, breast milk is free, and pumping it even when you're not with your child is an economical way to feed your baby. Breast milk can be stored for up to a year, depending on where you're storing it, which makes it a long-term solution to feeding your baby, too.

Expressed Milk Cons

Many women find that they can't express breast milk at the same volume as when they breastfeed. That means that you might not make enough milk to last your baby until her first birthday when she can have cow's milk. It takes time to thaw breast milk and warm it up, which makes it slightly less convenient than nursing, which can be done immediately. You'll also need to take bottles and expressed milk with you when you go places, which takes time to prepare, too. Keeping bottles and breast pump parts clean is another drawback to using expressed milk rather than breastfeeding.