How do I know my baby is getting enough?

If you're asking yourself this, you're not alone. A lot of moms worry about their supply – especially when you’re breastfeeding, it’s so hard to see your output or know exactly what’s going on in there when your baby feeds. It’s totally normal (and even a little bit scary) to wonder if you have low supply or something else going on.

Luckily, the way your baby is acting, as well as their diapers, can be key to understanding how they’re doing. 

Diapers are the best way to know if your baby is getting enough to eat. Babies should have at least one wet diaper per day of life (1 wet diaper in the first 24 hours, 2 on the next day of life, etc) and about 4-6 wet diapers per day after they are 4 days old.

And let’s be real. Your baby will be very vocal with you if they are hungry - babies sleep better with full bellies and are able to take full 1-2 hour naps. Most babies will wake up to eat at least every 2-3 hours. It’s tough to get a sleepy baby to eat, so before latching, wake your baby up – changing their diaper or undressing them should do the trick.

• A red or yellow spot in your baby’s diaper could be a sign of dehydration - let your pediatrician know.
• If your baby can’t wake enough to feed with audible swallowing, every 3 hours - reach out to your pediatrician or LC.
• Your baby should be on track to get back to their birth weight by the time they are 2 weeks old. If a professional tells you they are not following their growth curve, a detailed assessment by an LC is a great next step.
• Sometimes baby girls have a spot of blood in their diaper the week after they’re born - and that can be normal. It’s almost like they are coming off of mom’s hormones and having a small withdrawal bleed.

Babies cry for so many reasons. Hunger is a big one, but try the 5 S’s to help you soothe your baby - suck, swaddle, swing, side lying, and shushing.