HOW TO TELL IF YOUR BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH MILK:

Every mother-baby pair is different! That makes it hard to say exactly how your baby should be eating. In the first few days, your baby is getting rich, yellow colostrum (first milk). Some signs that your baby is getting enough milk are:

• An alert, bright-eyed infant
• A baby who wants to eat every 2-3 hours and is satisfied between feedings
• At least 3-4 wet diapers per day
• The normal change in stools over the first 2-5 days of life: meconium (dark green, tarry) to transitional stools (lighter green) to true breast milk stools (yellow, seedy, curd like or loose). The number of stools will increase each day.

After 3-5 days, when your milk "comes in", you will also notice:

• Your breasts feel full before a feeding and softer afterwards
• A letdown sensation or milk dripping from the other breast
• You can hear your baby swallow
• You can see milk in your baby's mouth
• The processed product (stool!) coming out the other end!

After the first week, your baby should:

• Nurse at least 8-12 times in 24 hours (every 2-3 hrs)
• Nurse about 10-20 minutes at each feeding
• Be happy during and after a feeding
• Gain about 4-7 oz per week (after a small weight loss the first week)
• Return to birth weight by 2 weeks of age
• Have 6 or more pale colored, wet diapers in 24 hours
• Have 4-12 stools in 24 hours
• Be alert and bright-eyed

Call your baby's doctor if:

• Your infant sucks only briefly, very softly or irregularly
• Your baby is very jaundiced (yellow) and getting more yellow
• You have severe, constant nipple pain
• Your baby fights the breast or cries after a minute or two
• Your baby has fewer than 6 wet diapers a day
• Your baby has little or no stool, or has dark green mucus stools
• Your baby always sleeps for more than 3-4 hour stretches and you cant keep them awake during a feed.
• Your baby seems weak, tired, or not interested in feeding

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YOUR MILK SUPPLY
You may not feel you have any milk in your breast for the baby during the first few days. YOU DO! The nutrition your baby gets at your breast for the first few days is colostrum, or "first milk". It is creamy and yellowish in color. Although it is a small amount (1 teaspoon to a few tablespoons per feeding), it will help your baby fight infection.

After 2-3 days the colostrum changes to "mature" milk and gradually becomes bluish-white. Breastmilk is both food and drink to your baby. It is balanced to meet all your baby's needs, and changes according to your baby's age. When your milk starts "coming in" your breasts may become very firm and feel warm and tender. This is due to more blood supply, some swelling, and the milk. Feeding your baby often will relieve the fullness.

If your breasts become very full, your baby may have trouble getting on the breast (latching-on). Apply warm, wet towels or take a warm shower to start your milk flowing. Try expressing some milk by hand or use a breast pump briefly to soften your breast. Cold, wet towels or ice bags after feedings may reduce swelling. Breast fullness should decrease as your baby learns to empty your breast. If your breasts are still very full and tender after 1-2 days, call your lactation specialist or doctor for help.

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TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PUMPING:

1. If you are away from your baby, pump at the times your baby feeds.
2. A quiet place, warm towels & gentle breast massage before pumping will improve milk flow.
3. If pumping one breast at a time, move the breast cup back & forth between breasts every few minutes to improve milk flow.
4. Don't be discouraged if you get very little milk at first. Regular pumping usually results in a good milk supply in 5-7 days.
5. To avoid waste, store milk in amounts your baby will eat in a single feeding.
6. Milk may be stored in bottles made from polypropylene, polycarbonate or glass. Milk may be refrigerated for use within 8 days.
7. Breastmilk may be frozen for later use. Safe times for frozen storage vary with the temperature of the freezer. Ask your breastfeeding specialist for storage guidelines.
8. Human milk separates with fat rising to the top. Just shake gently to mix the milk evenly.
9. Human milk should be gently warmed to room or body temperature under warm running water. Heating in boiling water or in a microwave is NOT recommended.
10. Your baby may refuse to take milk in a bottle. Try using a newborn size nipple. Having someone else offer the bottle may make it easier.or try using a dropper or cup. Most of all get support, and Be Patient!