BreastandBottlefeeding.com

Helping moms learn to balance breast and bottlefeeding
Website companion to Balancing Breast and Bottle: Reaching Your Breastfeeding Goals


How is breastfeeding going?
Thankfully, there are specific signs you can look for that let you know if breastfeeding is going well, or if you need a little help.  If you are planning to introduce a bottle, it is important that your baby is breastfeeding well first.   

We are doing well
You can be confident that breastfeeding is going well by looking for these signs: 
  • Breastfeeding does not hurt.  It is normal for the initial latch to be sensitive for a few days, but this sensitivity subsides in 5-10 seconds.
  • You hear swallowing.  As your milk supply becomes plentiful around day 3, your baby will swallow after every 1-2 sucks.
  • Your baby is content after eating.
  • Your baby has wet and poopy diapers (1 wet and 1 poopy per day of life up to 4-5 days; more is okay).
  • Your baby is gaining weight. 
We need a little help
There are warnings that indicate it's time to call a breastfeeding helper: 
  • Your nipples are injured and/or breastfeeding hurts.
  • Your baby latches on and falls asleep.
  • Your baby cries within ten minutes after eating. 
  • Your baby "eats" all the time, mouthing the breast without a lot of swallowing.
  • Your baby isn't having enough poopy diapers (1 poopy per day of life up to 4-5; more is okay).
  • Your baby is gaining less than 5.5 ounces per week.

The sooner you get help, the less time it takes to resolve the problem.

Back to Breast page
 
 
These ideas are explored further in Balacing Breast and Bottle: Reaching Your Breastfeeding Goals. 
 
 
Balancing Breast and Bottle: Reaching Your Breastfeeding Goals | Promote Your Page Too
Thank you for visiting!  We hope you found the information helpful and will share this site with other moms.
COPYRIGHT 2010 BREASTFEEDING SOLUTIONS LLC