The breast fed baby nurses on average 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. This is generally every 1 ½ to 3 hours. An average feeding may last 45 to 60 minutes including a diaper change. The baby appears satisfied and content after nursing.

Days 1 to 3:

• Colostrum is the first fluid from the breast. It contains antibodies, protein and fat.
• Bowel movements: 1 to 3 sticky, dark green or almost black stools in 24 hours.
• Wet diapers: Generally 2 to 3 per day, increasing in number and amount each day.

Days 3 to 4:

• Milk coming in
• Bowel movements: 3 to 4 loose brown/green/yellow stools in 24 hours.
• Wet diapers: 3 to 4 per day, heavier wetting

Days 5 to 6

• Mature milk
• Bowel movements: 3 to 5 loose stools becoming more yellow in colour, seedy consistency. At least 3 are the size of a dollar coin. If the bowel movements are very small or just a stain on the diaper, there should be several a day.
• Heavy wet diapers: 5 to 6 per day

Days 6 to 8

• Bowel movements: 2 to 5 or more per day
• Heavy wet diapers: 6 to 8 per day

Week 4

• Bowel movements: may decrease; some babies have only one large bowel movement every few days.
• Weight gain - follow-up with doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner by ONE WEEK OF AGE not one week after discharge!

When Your Baby Is Latched Well..

.
SEE........mouth open wide and lips spread out and relaxed

FEEL........ breast tug - no pain and breasts softer after feeding

HEAR..... the sound of baby swallowing and sucking is slow and rhythmic

Call For Help If...

• nipples are sore or cracked
• you are unable to get baby latched onto breast
• baby falls asleep after nursing for only a few minutes
• during the first week baby has no bowel movements for over 12 hours
• baby is having infrequent wet diapers after day 3
• baby has dark green to black bowel movements after 5 days of age
• baby sleeps for 4 to 5 hours more than once a day
• baby is spending more than 1 hour at the breast and begins crying soon after being taken off
• baby is not content between feedings or cries a lot
• baby has only rapid, nibbling, shallow type of sucking
• you have any concerns or questions

For information or help with breastfeeding, phone the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-8814.

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