How to Know if Your Baby is Eating Enough

January 11, 2023 Infant

Many parents agree – the first six months of your baby’s life can be the hardest. Making sure your baby is eating enough and gaining weight is your top priority. However, some parents worry if their baby is eating enough because they can’t see the exact amount their baby is drinking while chest/breastfeeding.

The good news is, it’s OK to not know exactly how many ounces your baby is drinking because the best way to know baby is eating enough is to check weight gain and count diapers. Below are pointers to help you understand your newborn and help them achieve a healthy growth.

HOW MUCH SHOULD MY BABY GAIN?

  • Newborns will often lose a few ounces the first weeks of life, but by day 10 they will regain it. As Erin Corrigan, the Clinical Nutrition Manager at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital explains, “chest/breastfed babies tend to gain weight quickly in the first 3-4 months and then their rate slows down a bit, while formula fed babies may continue at a higher rate of weight gain. In general, expect your baby to double in birth weight in the first 5-6 months and triple it by 1 year.”
First, weigh yourself. Then, while holding your baby, step on the scale again. Subtract your weight from your weight while holding baby. The difference is your baby’s weight!

DIAPERS

The more milk your baby drinks, the more wet and dirty diapers they will have.

WET
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5+

POOPS
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5+
  • For the first 4 to 6 weeks, your baby may have 4 to 10 stools per day. As baby gets older, stools can drop to 1 or less each day.

THREE TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING

Dirty Diaper Count

The more often your baby drinks, the more milk you make. If you’re worried about milk supply, add more feedings or use a breast pump.

Feeding time

Don’t follow a schedule — instead feed on demand. Babies will nurse more often than usual during growth spurts.

Latching

Correct positioning and latch-on is key for success. Make sure your baby is awake while feeding and their mouth is open wide when latching on.

FEEDING CUES

Babies can regulate their appetite. So, they know how much to eat. They are also great at “telling” you when they are hungry. Feeding cues are the signs your baby gives to “tell” you they are hungry or full.

HUNGRY

  • Turns head towards you
  • Moves hands toward mouth
  • Makes sucking or lip-smacking sounds
  • Makes feeding/swallowing sounds

FULL

  • Pushes away from nipple
  • Spits out nipple
  • Slows down and stops drinking
  • Falls asleep

HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY BABY EAT?

For the first 6 months of life, feeding is usually on demand and led by your baby. Fatima Gonzalez, Lactation Consultant explains, “Go by your baby’s feeding cues, not by watching the clock, as each baby is different.”

Newborn – 1 month:

  • ✓ Expect to feed your baby every 1-3 hours or 8-12 times in 24 hours.
  • ✓ Newborns drink tiny amounts at first – this will gradually increase.
  • ✓ A baby less than 1 month old should not be sleeping through the night; you might need to wake them up to feed.

2-6 months:

  • ✓ Baby gradually drinks more per feeding.
  • ✓ Expect 8-10 feedings in 24 hours.
  • ✓ Only breastmilk or formula should be given to baby until around 4-6 months of age.
  • ✓ At 4-6 months, they might show signs of being ready to start solid foods: sits upright, shows interest in your food, has good head control.

WHEN TO WORRY?

  • If your baby continues losing weight after the first week of life.
  • Feedings take longer than 1 hour.
  • Your baby is very sleepy.
  • Baby has less than 6 wet diapers/day after day 7.
  • Baby refuses to chest/breastfeed or seems fussy and colicky and won’t feed longer than a few minutes.

If you are concerned with your baby’s weight gain or they show any of these signs, call your pediatrician. Ask your WIC office for breastfeeding help.

References:

1. Bunting, DK, Mills J, Ramsey E, Rich S, Trout S (2013). Texas Children’s Hospital Pediatric Nutrition Reference Guide (10th ed.). Houston, TX.

2. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/who_charts.htm# The WHO Growth Charts. Accessed November 7th, 2015.

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position