How To Know If Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk
It is normal for your baby to lose a small amount of weight in the first few days of life. If your baby seems happy and is gaining weight after the first week, they are most likely getting enough milk.
Your baby is most likely getting enough milk if they are:
- Alert and active when awake
- Happy and full after feedings
- Growing and gaining weight
- Having clear or pale-yellow pee
- Having several poopy and wet diapers each day
You may want to keep track of your baby’s wet and poopy diapers. The charts below show the smallest number of wet and poopy diapers your baby should have in the first week. Around 10-15 days after delivery, your baby may poop after every feeding or less often.
Day 1
Number of Wet Diapers ………………………………………………………………. 1
Number of poopy diapers …………… 1st within 24 hours of birth
Color and Texture of Poop …………………. Thick, tarry, and black
Day 2
Number of Wet Diapers ………………………………………………………………. 2
Number of poopy diapers …………………………………………………………… 3
Color and Texture of Poop …………………. Thick, tarry, and black
Day 3
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 5
Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………….. 3
Color and Texture of Poop …………. Looser, greenish to yellow
Day 4
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 6
Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………….. 3
Color and Texture of Poop ……………… Soft, watery, and yellow
Day 5
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 6
Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………….. 3
Color and Texture of Poop …………… Loose and seedy, yellow
Day 6
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 6
Number of poopy diapers …………………………………………………………. 3
Color and Texture of Poop …………….. Loose and seedy, yellow
Day 7
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 6
Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………….. 3
Color and Texture of Poop …… More, loose and seedy, yellow
Day 5
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 6
Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………….. 3
Color and Texture of Poop …………… Loose and seedy, yellow
Day 6
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 6
Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………….. 3
Color and Texture of Poop …………….. Loose and seedy, yellow
Day 7
Number of Wet Diapers ……………………………………………………………… 6
Number of poopy diapers ………………………………………………………….. 3
Color and Texture of Poop …… More, loose and seedy, yellow
Daily Breastfeeding Journal
This daily breastfeeding journal is a helpful tool for new parents.
Keep track of:
- How often and for how long baby eats
- Number wet and poopy diapers
- Questions to ask your healthcare provider or WIC
- Notes about how you and baby are feeling
It may even be a nice keepsake memory to look back on!
