How can you tell if breastfeeding is going well?
- Your breasts are fuller and firmer before nursing and softer after.
- Your baby sucks in bursts then pauses to swallow.
- Latch is not painful after the first few seconds, and no nipple damage.
- Four or more poops by day 4, black sticky meconium gone by day 5 (yellow, soft stools by day 4-5)
- Baby is content between feedings.
- Baby is feeding 7-10 times a day after the first few days
- Baby gains ½ to 1 oz. a day by day 4-5 and is back to birth weight by 10-14 days old (or a little longer for breastfed babies born by C-section).
When to be concerned
See your baby’s doctor or a lactation consultant if:
- Eyes or skin getting more yellow (see doctor)
- Not having 4 stools by 4th day or still having black stools day 5
- Not eating at least 7-8 times per 24 hours by day 3-4
- Does not have swallowing you can hear
- Is too sleepy to feed
- Is fussy and won’t latch on
See your doctor or a lactation consultant if:
- You have nipple pain the whole time you are nursing
- Your breasts are not heavier or fuller by day 4
- Your breasts are not softer after nursing or are painful