Every parent wants to know that their baby is getting enough to eat and thriving when breastfeeding. Unfortunately when you are direct latching it is impossible to measure what your baby is taking in at the breast. However we can absolutely measure diaper output and that gives us an idea that your baby is taking enough at the breast.
What can you count?
DIAPERS. Daily.
Day 1: 1 pee/1 poop (black)
Day 2: 2 pees/2 poops (dark green)
Day 3: 3 pees/3 poops (yellow/greenish)
Day 4: 4 pees/3-4 poops (yellow)
Day 5: 5 pees/3-4 poops (yellow)
Day 6: 6-10 pees/3-4 poops (yellow)
One week+ : 6-10 pees/3-4 poops (yellow)
Why should poop colors change?
Milk. Changes.
Colostrum is your first milk you begin producing between weeks 16-20 of pregnancy. This first milk is a natural laxative. It preps, coats and protects your babies stomach. When your baby drinks colostrum (days 1-3) after delivery this pushes out the meconium poop into babies diapers. Then as your milk makes its transition from colostrum to mature milk (days 3-5)you will see poop changing from green to yellow. Yellow seedy curdled poops are common and normal 3-4 times daily with mature milk intake. Did you know the importance of the color change of poop? Or how many diapers you would be changing in those early days?
What if my baby doesn't have enough diapers?
Supplement. Protect.
If your baby is having the appropriate diaper output then we know baby is getting enough at the breast. If we are NOT seeing enough diapers then add in supplements and at the same time PROTECT your supply. Protect your milk supply by hand expressing (5-7 mins daily) or pumping (10-15 mins) daily. Another great way to protect supply is keep baby close with skin to skin as much as possible day/night. This closeness and proximity is what will increase the number of feeding sessions you have daily and boost your milk supply and babies diaper output. We should have yellow diapers by day 4. If we are seeing meconium on day 4-5 this is a ⚠️ warning sign ⚠️. In this instance latch, intake and supplements should be evaluated and monitored closely by an IBCLC or pediatrician trained in lactation.
How do I supplement?
Small. Volumes.
Supplementing is a great tool. But when it’s not implemented with caution or education it can very easily end a breastfeeding journey. Here are quick tips on supplements:
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•supplement with your breastmilk first
•hand express both breast for 5-7 mins every time tiny gets a supplement (early days)
•pump for 10-15 min sessions each time tiny is supplemented (early days and first couple weeks)
• supplement with small volumes 5-10 mls until baby shows fullness cues
• supplement using spoon, cup or syringe
• avoid LARGE volumes (30-60+ mls in the early days) this can keep tiny too full and prevent latch/breastfeeding practice.
Hope these tips help in your feeding journey.
All the breast,
Aubri