is baby not getting enough?

[Chloe 777]

Hi everyone!

I had a baby 3 days ago, and I'm worried he's not getting enough milk.
He nurses very often all day, every 30 min to an hour and more, but he only nurses for 3-5 minutes on each breast. I can hear swallowing and his ears wiggle, he seems to be nursing correctly. But is that enought time?

On the first day he had 3 poopy diapers and he peed 3 times. On the second day he peed twice, and had no poopy diapers at all. Today we're about 7 hours into the third day, and so far he's had one wet diaper and no bowel movements at all.

Any advice and feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[PatioGardener]

Congrats on your new baby!

The best way to tell how much is going in is to see how much is coming out We expect 3 heavy wet diapers by day 3 of life - that is 3 wets in 24 hours. As for poops, you would expect 2-3 poopy diapers too, but the poop will probably be meconium still (dark and sticky).

Have you had baby seen by a lactation consultant? What happens after he has been nursing 3-5 minutes? Why does he stop nursing? Is he falling asleep? Can you offer both breasts and then back to the first breast for more?

Nursing so often is completely normal. It is great that you are watching for wet diapers - if you don't get 3 heavy wets in 24 hours today I would definitely call to see an IBCLC on Monday and have baby's latch and milk transfer assessed. If you get the 3 heavy wet diapers then you know you are on the right track!

Here are some great latch/transfer videos that may help too:
http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...id=6&Itemid=13


Congrats again!

[PatioGardener]

Forgot to mention breast compressions - compressing the breast while baby feeds often helps to transfer more milk http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...lips&Itemid=13

[Chloe 777]

The reason he stops nursing is he falls asleep, and I can't wake him no matter how hard I try. I put him on the breast really often though.

He had another wet diaper so that's two today so far , but I wouldn't say they're really heavy. There is about 14 hours left to this day though so I'm still hoping.
The latch seems correct, and my midwife and ped said the same thing. I have a 3year old who still nurses also, so I'm not a beginner, although I really feel like I am at this moment! I'll wait 'till this day is over and see.

Thank you so much for your answer!

[PatioGardener]

To tell if the dipers are heavy 'enough' the standard seems to be to take a clean diap and add 3 tablespoons of water to it. If you get the equivalent of 3 of those over the 24 hours then all is good

The great thing about your 3 year old nursing is that your milk will come in faster than otherwise too!

Every baby is different - and I swear we forget those first few days postpartum anyway! It sounds like you're doing great, Mama, and the more baby nurses the more he'll poop out the meconium and gain weight and nurse more etc. You have awesome instinct to feed him so often as he falls asleep quickly.

Best of luck these next few days, and please come back and let us know how you're both doing!