One of the most common reasons mothers give up breastfeeding is because they are worried that they don’t have enough milk.
Signs breatfeeding is going well include:
Wet nappies - these should increase every day and from day six onwards your baby should be having six nappies a day that feel heavy with urine. Your baby’s urine should be pale yellow or clear
Poos - your baby should pass meconium on the first day, and then the poo should start to change colour from black - dark green -green –yellow. From day five onwards your baby should have at least two yellow poos a day that are about the size of a £2 coin. Most babies poo more than this. Baby poo is usually very liquid with a few yellow seedy bits.
Weight loss - within 10% on day three and then back to birth weight by day 14.
How often should I feed my baby?
- Your baby should be feeding eight - 12 times in 24 hours (after the first day)
- Feeds lasting ten minutes to 40 minutes are in the normal range
- Rapid sucks at first then deep sucks with pauses and swallows. Swallowing should be heard after day three.