OB/Gyn & Women's Health Services

Breastfeeding: Is Baby Getting Enough to Eat?

Signs that breastfeeding/bodyfeeding (also called chestfeeding) is going well for baby

You can hear, feel or see signs of swallowing when your baby is latched on.
You see rhythmic jaw movements or an “open mouth-pause-swallow-close” pattern.
Your baby has at least 6 clear or pale yellow urine diapers in 24 hours by the 4th day.
Your baby has 3-4 stools by the 4th day. The color of the stool will change from dark green to yellow in color by day 5. The stool will also become loose and seedy.
Your baby has regained his or her birthweight by 10-14 days after birth.
You are watching for feeding cues and feed at least 8-12 or more times per day.

How often and how long your baby needs to feed depends on many factors, such as: baby’s age and suck strength, your milk supply and your milk storage capacity.
It is normal for babies to nurse frequently for a long time and then sleep for several hours. This is called cluster feeding.
Most young babies will also feed two or more times during the night.

You see a pink or rust color stain in baby’s diaper after the 4th day.
Your baby is less than 6 weeks old and has not had a bowel movement in 24 hours.
Your baby has fewer wet diapers than recommended or the urine is dark in color or has a strong urine odor.
Your baby is not back to birthweight by 10-14 days or is gaining less than 4-8 ounces per week.
Your baby is not relaxed or satisfied after most or all feedings.
Latching the baby is painful.

Lawrence, Ruth A. & Lawrence, Robert M. “Breastfeeding, A Guide for the Medical Professional”, Ninth edition, ELSEVIER, 2022.

Wambach, Karen and Spencer, Becky “Breastfeeding and Human Lactation”, Sixth edition, Jones & Bartlett, 2021.