The First Two Weeks
The information in the last few posts were focused on information that is helpful to know for the first few days of breastfeeding. Here is a checklist to help you decide if breastfeeding is going well with your exclusively breastfed baby:
1. Your baby has regained his birthweight by the time he is two weeks old.
2. Your baby wakes up for approximately 8 feedings a day, hungry and rooting.
3. Your baby actively sucks and swallows for 90% of his feeding and when done, either falls asleep at the breast or comes off the breast appearing full.
4. Your may have a sense of breast fullness before the feeding and a sense of softness when done. ** Not all mothers are sensitive to changes in breast fullness**
5. Breastfeeding does not hurt. You have no nipple pain and no breast pain.
6. Most well fed babies will have at least 4 heavy wet diapers every day.
7. Most well fed babies will have at least 3 quarter size or more yellowy mustardy stools every day.
Here are a few other thoughts for you to consider:
8. Your baby appears satisfied after most feedings. It is common for new babies to be fussy for a few minutes after feedings. A burp and diaper change and a little rocking or perhaps breastfeeding for a few more minutes, all should help to calm your baby down.
9. It is also normal for babies to have “cluster feedings”, where for a 3-4 hour period each day, they seem like they just can’t get enough and feed and feed and feed.
10. If this happens, and the rest of the 24 hour day seems fairly normal, you are more than likely doing fine.
Overall, it is a good thing to stay close to home and recover from the pregnancy and birth experience. Your body has accomplished a lot of hard work and it is okay to take it easy for a short while. However, now that breastfeeding is going well, it is a great time to begin taking short walks or short trips to the store. Get some fresh air. Do something nice for yourself. Go to the library or bookstore for an hour or so just for a change of pace. Meet a friend for lunch. Short outings help new mothers by giving them a change of pace, but also keep it short so you don’t overdo it.
Click on this link for further information. ( link appears to dissapear when mouse is moved over it, but go ahead and click as it will bring you to the link). This is a list of signs that help you decide that breastfeeding is not going well. If you continue to have questions and concerns, please call an IBCLC for help.
http://www.aabreastfeeding.com/Do%20I%20need%20a%20consult/how-do-i-know-if-i-need-a-consult.htm
