How do I know if my baby is getting enough to eat?
Baby is:
- active and alert
- happy and satisfied after eating
- breastfeeding at least 8
times in each 24 hours
- suckling and swallowing while breastfeeding
- losing less than 7 percent of his birth weight
- gaining 4-8
ounces each week after the first week
- having four or more poops and six or more
wet diapers a day by day 5
- having yellow poop by day 5
- having clear or pale yellow urine
If you see all
these signs, you can be sure your baby is getting enough to eat. If you are unsure, keep breastfeeding, and call your
local WIC office.
How
often should I breastfeed?
Breastfeed whenever
your baby shows signs of hunger or thirst. These signs include:
*Squirming
*Sucking on hands or fingers
*Smacking lips
*Coughing
*Yawning
.
Some babies breastfeed every 1-3 hours day and night;
others breastfeed every hour for three to five feedings then sleep for 3-4 hours in between. Every baby is different.
Your baby needs to breastfeed at least 8 times in each 24 hours. Many babies breastfeed 10-12 times a day.
