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I'm only 11-weeks pregnant so forgive me for being naive. But I do intend to breastfeed. Bottle feeding seems relatively easy in that you can see and measure how much the baby has actually taken. But this isn't the case for breastfeeding. When breastfeeding, how do you know if you've given your baby enough/too much? How do you know if your baby is actually taking the milk? ↓
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| Name: jkm0410 | Date: Feb 23rd, 2007 6:53 PM |
| The best indicator that your baby is getting enough is their diapers. They should be wetting and soiling up to a dozen a day. With my daughter, I found that I had to keep her awake at the breast. She would nurse for a couple of minutes, and then doze off. I started a routine of nursing for about 10 minutes, and then changing her diaper, then continuing to nurse for another 10 minutes or so. By then end she was ready to sleep, and with a full tummy slept for 3 or 3 1/2 hours. ↑ |
| Name: Melissa | Date: Feb 23rd, 2007 9:52 PM |
first of all it is impossible to overfed a breastfeed baby as long as they are getting the milk from your breast. you can overfeed them if you are pumping and giving it to them with a bottle.
the best way to know if you baby is getting enough is by diaper output. they should be making one wet diaper for every day they are old until day six. then they should have anywhere from 6-8 wet diapers in a 24hr period.
don't set time limits on nursing when they are newborns, let them nurse on demand for as long as then need and you should be fine. ↑ |
| Name: bmes | Date: Feb 23rd, 2007 10:36 PM |
| ditto what Melissa said!!! LOL....you can't overfeed them when breastfeeding....if they don't want anymore, they won't take anymore....and just watch the diapers!! :-) ↑ |
| Name: connie | Date: Feb 24th, 2007 12:08 AM |
I was wondering that to, my little guy was born early ( 36 weeks) so I was wondering if his output would be smaller.
I do get worried that he isnt getting enough so I breast feed on both breast then give him supplement w/breast milk as well.
But I am getting a wet diaper every 3 hrs, and a poop one every 6-does that sound right, ↑ |
| Name: Melissa | Date: Feb 24th, 2007 12:11 AM |
| u just need to count how many wet ones in 24 hrs. if it is at least 6 then you should be doing great. some people get worried cause they think that they need 6 in a day, but it is 24 hrs. ↑ |
| Name: Melissa | Date: Feb 24th, 2007 12:12 AM |
| sorry, i didnt' realy answer you very well. i he gaining well? is the doc concerned about his weight? if he gaining well then you most likely don't need to supplement. ↑ |
| Name: connie | Date: Feb 25th, 2007 12:04 AM |
| he is gaining wieght, so I guess I could stop with supplementing, but I worry if he is getting enough-since I cant see what he is drinking. I know he relieves the presure in my breast after he is done, and I can hear him gluping.( and he has the milk drunk look after too) ↑ |
| Name: bmes | Date: Feb 25th, 2007 5:08 AM |
| Melissa is right...all you need to do is look at how many wet diapers he/she is having to know if they're getting enough. :-) ↑ |
| Name: sally24 | Date: Feb 26th, 2007 4:38 PM |
| look for some childbirth classes at your hospital or in your area they usually go over breastfeeding its a great help , plus you can pick up lots of books on the subject and most places were you deliver now offer lactation consultents. Usually they say to go by minutes , at least 20 for a good feeding , you can also see and perhaps hear the baby swallowing , you will know if the baby is getting enough if you have him latched on properly ↑ |
| Name: bebe9281 | Date: Mar 19th, 2007 9:04 PM |
| Get the book "So that's what they're for" by Judy Tamara. It will answer all of your questions. ↑ |
| Name: Mom2B | Date: Apr 9th, 2007 11:26 PM |
| Another good book would be The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding from La Leche League. I have it and refer to it often. In the first 2 months, my daughter typically nursed for an hour each time. Much of it was comfort, but she is also a slow eater. Now at 11 weeks she still takes at least a 1/2hr to 45 mins to eat/suck. Ive been told many times its "too long", "take her off", "she's using you as a pacifier"... but so what? I am an at home Mom so I can afford to do it for long periods. And I feel better that she comfort sucks on me, up against me with my heartbeat and body warmth than on a plastic binky. And in the beginning, you cant feed them too long. I breastfed baby will not over eat. your milk comes out faster some times than others, and if it is coming too much or too fast, they will let go. ↑ |
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